Extremely racy, even for a pre-Code film. Jean Harlow throws herself at a bunch of men – first married, rich Chester Morris, then after she’s broken up his marriage, the even richer Henry Stephenson, then at the end some French dude. She also takes a pot shot at Morris and his wife - as in she tries to shoot them dead, but doesn't kill them - and has an affair with a chauffeur (the young Charles Boyer)... and isn't punished for it!
It actually isn’t much of a story – as the above indicates it’s repetitive. It is fun though, with Anita Loos providing some bright lines and Harlow has never been better. She's funny, sexy, full of spunk and vinegar. This was made by MGM who shoot her beautifully (she's a red head here) and put her in some revealing outfits - her boobs practically burst side one out of one dress, and there's a scene only in there to have her get changed into a nightgown.
Tonally also this film is fascinating. Harlow is our hero – she’s lovely, funny and clever; we have scenes where she’s disappointed in achieving her goals. But the marriage she breaks up is sympathetically portrayed – the wife is really nice and lovely, and they don’t shy away from the pain she feels. Yet Harlow is allowed to go off at the end with a new rich (very old) husband, a cup from winning a horse race, and her chauffeur lover. So while they pitched this as a comedy it's not really - Harlow has hurt too many people to make it funny. But it's not a melodrama either. It's a weird, very interesting film. Morris' father, who tries to buy Harlow off, is played by Lewis Stone.
No comments:
Post a Comment