Golden Age of Hollywood
Donald Crisp, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, and Mary Astor
One of my favorite 1930s films (or films from any era!) is Red Dust (1935) and four of the reasons are pictured above: Donald Crisp, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, and Mary Astor. Extraordinary movie, extraordinary cast, and extraordinary director (Victor Fleming).
You can find the extraordinary Red Dust on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the movie on Prime Video!
Jean Harlow
This beautiful photo of the wonderful Jean Harlow appeared in the July 1935 issue of Movie Classic magazine. I collect many different things pertaining to Old Hollywood and Classic TV and my old magazines is one of my favorite collections. They’re so much fun to look through – again and again and again…
I have run into a bit of a problem with my magazines, though. Like many people, I collect everything I can get my hands on of my very favorites, so when they appear in a magazine, I remove the clipping or photo to put into their folder/collection. Since I have so many favorites that I collect, I’ve found that I need to start buying most of the magazines TWICE – once to keep whole and enjoy and once to take apart!
Sigh. I get myself into as many fixes than Lucy and Ethel ever got themselves into… maybe more?
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
James Cagney and Jean Harlow, The Public Enemy
Little did anyone know when Harlean Carpenter was born on March 3, 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri that she’d go on to become one of the biggest movie stars of all time. While “Harlean Carpenter” may not be a household name, the name she took for herself…. Jean Harlow… certainly is.
As I often tell people (Twitter people, family people…. any people who will listen or even just pretend to listen), If you only “know” Jean Harlow from her photographs or from things you’ve read about her… you don’t “know” Jean Harlow at all.
Heck, you’re barely even familiar with her!
It’s when you delve into her quotes and, more importantly, into her films, that you find the magical, magnetic star that she was. Trust me, it’s a delve worth taking.
As you may know, I have watched old movies (as well as classic television) all of my life. Every decade, every genre, every actor, every actress. And yet… I still can’t put my finger on what makes Jean Harlow so special. To this day, I have no idea what trait or feature it was that sets her apart from the rest. She wasn’t necessarily better than other actresses of her time (not all of them, anyway!), but she did have a certain charisma that made her stand out like a beautiful sunset that makes it impossible to look away.
Jean Harlow, Bombshell (1933)
“There is a God, even in Hollywood.” ~ Jean Harlow
Yes, Ma’am. There certainly is.
The beauty above is Silent Film star Mildred Davis. She was a frequent co-star (and longtime wife) of legendary actor Harold Lloyd. She’s one of my favorite silent film actresses and one I can’t understand not being a household name!
Another personal absolute favorite of mine is Barbara Stanwyck. Not only was she beautiful and outrageously talented, she was exceptionally bright, charismatic, and colorful. This growing collection of Barbara Stanwyck Quotes will give you an idea of just how colorful she was!
There’s nothing quite like watching a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Whether it’s a Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance, Film Noir, or Drama – if it’s on, I’m not too far away… with popcorn and raspberry tea in hand and a couple of cats nearby.
Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)
We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)
The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)
The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)
The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)
Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)
El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)
Rio Grande (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara)
Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)
The Stooge (Jerry Lewis’ favorite Lewis and Martin Movie… for good reason.)
Critic’s Choice (Hilarious movie starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball)
To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)
Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)
Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)
The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)
More Old Hollywood Movie Reviews
Find out just how much I (truly) Love Lucy in the Lucille Ball category. I’m warning you, I call it an obsession for a very good reason…
