The star (Jean Harlow), writer (Anita Loos) and director (Jack Conaway) of Red Headed Woman re-team for another MGM comedy about a trashy lower class girl with a wisecracking best friend determined to nab a rich husband. But the Production Code was in place by now so the action has been cleaned up: Jean Harlow has a mother she’s fond of (albeit with a dodgy step dad, something perhaps inspired by Harlow's real life), she won’t put out without a ring (the finale involves a man racing to defend his virtue), she is more sinned against than sinning.
It’s still sexy and lively, with chorus girls getting changed, horny old men chasing after young women, Lewis Stone shooting himself, Harlow in a swim suit and lingerie. She tries to bag rich Lionel Barrymore but son Franchot Tone sets his cap at her - only to face hostility from Barrymore.
Tone was best known for being a second male lead but he’s really impressive in this – deep speaking voice, cocky manner, confidence. It’s a shame his character is a bit of a lech – he manhandles Harlow a lot of times in a way that’s not really charming.
Harlow is in great sprightly form and there's a terrific support cast of players including Patsy Kelly (friend), Barrymore, Stone, etc. The plot goes a little haywire in the second half - Harlow becomes too passive, Barrymore treats her really meanly. Still it's got guts that wouldn't be seen from Metro in a few years time.
No comments:
Post a Comment