Jean Harlow

Career / Biography

Jean Harlow was a very popular blonde actress in the 1930's. She only had a short career as she died young from an illness. She was the original blonde bombshell and known as the Platinum Blonde. As a teenager she caught scarlet fever and the physical effects of the illness stayed with her. In her late teens she married another teenager who was wealthy and they moved to Los Angeles and lived the high life. After taking a friend to a film studio she was spotted and eventually agreed to work for Fox studios. Her first film in 1928 was as an uncredited extra. She then signed with Hal Roach and had a few small roles in Laurel and Hardy films. In Double Whoopee she played the sexy socialite that was to typify many of her roles. Her first speaking part was in Saturday Night Kid. She split with Hal Roach and then landed a role in Howard Hughes sound remake of Hell's Angels which was popular at the box office and her made her a star. She made a number of film for Howard Hughes including The Public Enemy with James Cagney. This was popular with the public but not so much with the critics. Her signature film was Platinum Blonde. Her her style and colour was copied by women all over America, which was promoted by Howard Hughes. In 1932 she moved to MGM. Her first role was ironically in Red Headed Woman where she wore a red wig, but also combined her sexuality and her comic talents. As a pre-code film it could show more of her sexuality. She had personal problems when her new husband was found dead in their house as a suicide. Red Dust was a successful film as she stared opposite Clark Gable. She was paired opposite him again in Hold Your Man which pushed her acting skills. The Girl From Missouri suffered from cuts from the censors and the Hays Code. Reckless was a a change in direction as it was a musical film, though her singing voice was dubbed. She was entertaining if not comfortable in this style of film. She then appeared in Wife vs Secretary with James Stewart. At this point in time her box office draw kept MGM afloat when other studios were failing. She teamed up with Cary Grant again in Suzy. Her final complete film was Personal Property and at this point she was becoming seriously ill which affected the filming of the film. Saratoga was was partially filmed with her and many scenes with body doubles as she died early in the filming. She died at the early age of 26. In her short career of 10 years and only 36 films. her second husban, paul bern, committed suicide and she was in a relationship with William Powell at the time of her death.

Career / Biography

Films

Oscars

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