Cary Grant and Jean Harlow
Have you seen Suzy (1936) with Cary Grant, Jean Harlow, and Franchot Tone? I’m not sure if it’d be best to call it a war film or a dramatic romance. It fits either description. While I prefer Cary Grant in comedic roles (simply because I think he was one of the most gifted comedic actors ever), he is very good in this role. He plays a World War I pilot and turns in a very good performance, as does the always wonderful Franchot Tone.
With all due respect to both actors, however, this is Jean Harlow’s film and she gives one of her greatest performances. She’s breathtaking in each and every scene and you cannot help but feel very sentimental when you realize what an extraordinary actress was taken from us FAR too soon.
Suzy is one of the beautiful legend’s last films. She made Suzy in 1936 and died in 1937 (uremic poisoning) at the age of 26.
Cary Grant, Jean Harlow, and Franchot Tone
There is something magical about each role Jean Harlow played and this one was no exception. Her charisma and charm jump right off the screen. I knew that her acting style and natural gift for comedy would mesh well with that of Cary Grant but, before watching Suzy, I wondered how she would interact with Franchot Tone, who had a different style from the other two stars. In true Jean Harlow fashion, she worked as flawlessly with Tone as anyone.
While I will always prefer him with Joan Crawford (talk about magic), I enjoyed his scenes with Jean Harlow a great deal.
The movie is very much worth seeing but, when you watch it, be sure to understand that the best thing about it is and will always be Jean Harlow and simply enjoy and cherish every last drop.
Franchot Tone and Jean Harlow