Harlow

As if insulting the memory of Jean Harlow with one bad fictitious screen biography wasn't bad enough they had to go and make two! At least the Carroll Baker one was in color with a decent budget but this cheap quickie was shot in only eight days and looks it.

Filled with terrible performances from everyone but Ginger Rogers as Mama Jean this has at its center an actress, Carol Lynley, of limited skill none of which is on display here and absolutely zero approximation of the real Jean Harlow's screen charisma or magic.

The incredible thing about both of these bad bios is that the real Jean Harlow had an event filled life, packing an awful lot into 26 short years, yet both movies fabricate stupid untruths which they present as fact. Why bother to make the film, and shed a negative light on the subject, if you can't be bothered to tell the truth. Oh well maybe someday she will receive her due, in the meantime skip both of these pieces of trash and watch Jean's classic films. A much better use of your time.

Although she's not particularly interested, a reluctant actress named "Jean Harlow" (Carol Lynley) is eventually convinced to take a role in a movie even though, by doing so, she opens herself up to film critics over her marginal acting ability--with the condescending remarks from an actor named "William Mansfield" (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) being particularly annoying. Likewise, the parasitic nature of her mother, "Mama Jean Bello" (Ginger Rogers), and stepfather, "Marino Bello" (Barry Sullivan), is also emotionally draining. However, things seem to change for the better when she meets a fellow actor named "Paul Bern" (Hurd Hatfield) who appears to be the answer to her problems. Unfortunately, it isn't long after their wedding that she realizes he isn't the man she thought he was--and things take a turn for the worse after that. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that, although this film had a solid cast, other than Carol Lynley, none of the other actors really stood out. Throw in a weak script and terrible cinematography, and I have difficulty rating this movie any higher than I have. Slightly below average.

After appearing in the Laurel and Hardy silent "Double Whoopee", curvy Carol Lynley (as Jean Harlow) is discovered by actor Lloyd Bochner (as Marc Peters), and invited to appear in a screen test for the sound re-make of Howard Hughes' unreleased "Hell's Angels". Although she is nervous about having to wear a bra, Ms. Lynley tests positive, and becomes an overnight sensation. Lynley is also nervous around smarmy star Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (as William Mansfield), who observes her screen test - but, later, they will fall in love.

With pushy "Mama" Ginger Rogers (as Jean Bello) and stepfather Barry Sullivan (as Marino Bello) soaking up her coattails, Lynley becomes one of Hollywood's biggest stars. But, Lynley is unhappy. She resents "bathtub scenes", and wants to be an Actress, like "Dinner at Eight" co-star Hermione Baddeley (as Marie Dressler). In her personal life, Lynley is devastated when she learns groom Hurd Hatfield (as Paul Bern) is impotent; she calls him a "pathetic cripple," drinks gin, and hires studly Michael Dante (as Ed) to satisfy her sexually.

This "Harlow" is the one with quick, low budget production values; the other one, released simultaneously, has Carroll Baker, Technicolor, and better production values. Both movies found greater success when resurrected for trashy television airings. As you might suspect, neither film is accurate or respectful as a biography of Jean Harlow. This film's strengths are its soundtrack (by Nelson Riddle & Al Ham), occasionally effective supporting cast, and teleplay "look" - as directed by Alex Segal in "electronovision".

***** Harlow (5/14/65) Alex Segal ~ Carol Lynley, Ginger Rogers, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

This version of "Harlow" used to be a staple on local television until the mid-1970's. Then it suddenly vanished. It was nice to finally catch up with this film again. It has generally been acknowledged as a slipshod filmization of the life of Hollywood's Blonde Bombshell, Jean Harlow. Apart from the film mixing fact with fiction, it's really not a bad movie. It was shot in just eight days, and it looks like a live TV show. But that's fine! The inexpensive process used for filming the movie ultimately creates an appropriate atmosphere for the film. Carol Lynley is good as Jean Harlow. Had she been given more than three weeks rehearsal, she might have given a stronger performance. Ginger Rogers (who had only a couple of days rehearsal after being chosen as a fast replacement when Judy Garland quit the production) simultaneously gives a bravado performance and shows her unmistakable star quality as Mama Jean. Hurd Hatfield, ever a fine actor, is very moody as producer Paul Bern. Lloyd Bochner has an ongoing role throughout the film as a Hollywood big shot. Undeniably low-budget, this production of "Harlow" is much more enjoyable than the alternate version made the same year. I'd seek this one out. It works better as entertainment on all levels.

Definitely better than the splashy Joseph E. Levine version with Carroll Baker, this biographical movie was released in the same year and stars CAROL LYNLEY. Though neither version was particularly accurate regarding the life of JEAN HARLOW, this one is more on the money. LYNLEY evens looks more like the real HARLOW. Most of the actual players in the life of HARLOW are represented here, although EFREM ZIMBALIST'S character called William Mansfield is no doubt apparently supposed to be WILLIAM POWELL. HURD HATFIELD is effectively creepy portraying JEAN'S second husband PAUL BERN. GINGER ROGERS is quite good as MAMA JEAN, who cares about her daughter, but not as much as she does about her shady husband MARINO BELLO. LYNLEY does an excellent job showing the angry side of HARLOW, but never conveys any of her appeal or vulnerability. The way that she carries on as if she's in a constant state of fed up irritation, you wonder why anyone actually cared about the real HARLOW. Still, this is an interesting film, and in B&W it has an eerie slightly morbid aura . Look for HERMOINE BADDELEY in a brief scene portraying MARIE DRESSLER. TRIVIA : This was the first movie that NOLAN MILLER designed the clothing for.