Une belle blonde

In London, sexy blonde American chorus girl Jean Harlow (as Suzy Trent) has trouble finding work and paying the rent. Producers balk when Ms. Harlow refuses to trade sexual favors. Hoping to change her fortunes, Harlow resolves to marry a wealthy Count and walks into a moving Rolls Royce. Charming Irish inhabitant Franchot Tone (as Terry Moore) turns out not to be the vehicle's owner, but offers Harlow a place to live, with no strings attached. He's a promising inventor and seems devoted, so they tie the knot. Neither know it, but Mr. Tone's workplace ("Schmidt & Co") is, apparently, a front for German spies. After a frightening incident, Harlow relocates to Paris. The Great War (WW I) breaks out and French playboy pilot Cary Grant (as Andre Charville) joins the cast...

There is more care in having Harlow look attractive than authentically from the year 1914, and the automobile she walks into looks like a 1930s model. You'll also have to check your brain at the door a couple of times during the plot. Harlow gets two A-list leading men, as well as good support from stalwart Lewis Stone and duplicitous Benita Hume. The dubbed song "Did I Remember?" became a contemporary hit. Recalling her memorable "Dinner at Eight" (1933) exchange with Marie Dressler, Harlow is given the comic line, "Been reading a book," and disrobes early in the running time. Reportedly, the popular box office star wanted to move away from the sexpot roles and "Suzy" appears to be a compromise. Harlow is so vivacious and appealing in this neatly-produced melodrama; it's difficult to believe she would soon pass away, from kidney disease. MGM and director George Fitzmaurice showcase their star well.

****** Suzy (6/26/36) George Fitzmaurice ~ Jean Harlow, Franchot Tone, Cary Grant, Lewis Stone

An entertaining, well-made WWI-era romance, SUZY features a standardly-scripted but winningly-executed love triangle, with some espionage and spy action thrown into the mix. In the title role, Jean Harlow (who was arguably MGM's biggest female star at the time) gives a refreshingly natural and totally believable performance, and really carries the film with her considerable charm and screen presence. Franchot Tone and Cary Grant may draw some criticism for utilizing improper accents, but both actors contribute solid performances as the men in our heroine's life – Tone is touching as the idealistic charmer who truly loves Suzy, and Grant is shockingly effective cast against type as smooth-talking but treacherous heel. The movie is further enhanced by the quiet strength of Lewis Stone, whose genteel toughness as Andre's father creates a moving relationship with Harlow as his neglected daughter-in-law.

As a WWI period piece, the studio faced the obvious challenge of redressing the soundstages to reflect the 1914 setting, and the MGM artisans contribute their usual high standard to the film. SUZY features the typical MGM gloss, although the budget does appear to be a bit more limited than the studio usually lavished upon a vehicle for one of their biggest stars. The sets and costumes are up to the usual MGM standard for the time, with Harlow's stunning figure showcased in several beautiful Dolly Tree gowns (even if the style is unarguably more 1936 than it is 1914). The film makes extensive use of various stock footage, notably Howard Hughes' 1930 classic HELL'S ANGELS, most of which is reasonably incorporated into the finished film and succeeds in enhancing the film's scope.

The film is based on Herbert Gorman's novel (which I haven't read), and the film's characters are very well-developed by the strong performances of the cast – which gives the central love triangle more tension and pathos when compared to many similar and also leaves Suzy's relationship with the Baron as poignant as that of the love affair with either suitor. The film only wobbles a bit in the final third as too many coincidences involving the espionage subplot begin to pile up, and a slightly preposterous conclusion prevents the film from being a total classic (with four credited screenwriters, perhaps there were too many cooks in the kitchen). SUZY is absolutely terrific when it's focus remains on it's strong characterizations and the relationships of it's leads. Director George Fitzmaurice does an expert job of keeping the whole film on track, and provides us with many breathtakingly beautiful moments – my favorite of which is a particularly lovely scene with Grant singing a few lines of the Oscar-nominated song "Did I Remember" to Harlow.

I greatly enjoyed this--the second of seven films from my 'Jean Harlow: The 100th Anniversary Collection' put out by Warner Archives, unfortunately not with anything in the way of DVD extras (except for a cool, unadvertised set of postcards), and only three of the films were remastered. So it was as if they were perhaps celebrating her, say, 99th birthday and not going all-out like they could and should have, since she DID single-handedly save the studio from bankruptcy three years prior.

I like the way filmmakers back then didn't care if a French actor was playing an Irish inventor and an English actor was portraying a French pilot. THESE days, there'd be sheer, unadulterated hell to pay.

It was a really strange mix of genres, to get absolutely everybody into the seats. I could just see the pitch at the board meeting now: '1914 period piece romantic-comedy mixed with wartime spy thriller and musical'. But Harlow knocked it out of the ballpark, just like she always did. Supertrooper right to the very end.

The main attraction of 'Suzy' for me was the cast, namely Jean Harlow (a very charming actress who died far too young with so much more to give) and Cary Grant (have always loved him, both in comedy and drama). The story also sounded interesting, though there was the worry from the sounds of it of whether it would try to do too much, and my love for classic film, and film in general of all genres and decades, played a big factor further.

'Suzy' turned out to be a worthwhile film with a lot working in its favour, the cast being one of the main assets. It is uneven and there are a few knocks against it (story-related mainly, am not going to go into the whole lack of authenticity in the accents, decided to suspend my disbelief on that one and judged the actors by their overall performance). But generally 'Suzy' is a film deserving of more credit than it gets. It was the only feature film pairing of Harlow and Grant, and judging from their work and chemistry one does wish they did more films together.

As said, 'Suzy' is not perfect in the story. Do think it tries to do too much in balancing too many tones that it left some confused spots. The start is on the slow side.

More problematic was, as has been said, the too coincidence heavy and sometimes silly third act.

However, 'Suzy' is nicely photographed and the outtakes from 'Hell's Angel' that formed the flying sequences were exciting and didn't look cheap or stock. The music fits well and the film is directed with good balance and control. The song "Did I Remember" is one of the film's highlights. The script provokes thought and both entertains and intrigues.

Likewise with the story, which comes to life once the action gets to Paris and has fun and tension, as well as a solid pace. The tension and pathos of the character chemistry, romantic or not, really elevates the film, as does the surprisingly well rounded characters. Characters that are all round beautifully played, as said decided to ignore the accents. With accents it for me is always less forgivable when the rest of the performance isn't good. Harlow is her usual charming self and Grant is surprisingly comfortable and credible as an amoral cad (the complete opposite of his usual roles). Franchot Tone has fun in his role and Lewis Stone brings moving, understated dignity to his.

In conclusion, pretty good. 7/10 Bethany Cox

first, to comment on the other comment - I think Franchot Tone's Irish accent was entertainment enough, without Cary attempting a French one!

Anyway, I really enjoyed this film. There's no amazing, original plot and the acting is a little clunky in places, but its all done with such enthusiasm you can't help but love it!

It starts out quite formulaic - showgirl seeks rich husband, finds fake rich man etc - but the leads are so gorgeous you go with it, and then the plot takes a turn (not too subtle, but thats OK).

Once we follow our heroine to Paris, and meet Cary, it really picks up, and there's another clichéd whirlwind romance, followed by call up.

To say more would spoil the plot (though you'll spot every 'twist' a mile off anyway) but its just 'a rollicking good ride', with 3 excellent stars, and a fun script.

Just sit back and enjoy!