Three Wise Girls (1932)

Cassie moves to New York and jumps from one job to another until she lands a modeling gig.

Director:

William Beaudine

Writers:

Wilson Collison (story "Blonde Baby"), Agnes Christine Johnston (adaptation)

Stars:

Jean Harlow, Mae Clarke, Walter Byron

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jean Harlow	...	Cassie Barnes
Mae Clarke	...	Gladys Kane
Walter Byron	...	Jerry Dexter
Marie Prevost	...	Dot
Andy Devine	...	Jimmy Callahan - Chauffeur
Natalie Moorhead	...	Ruth Dexter
Jameson Thomas	...	Arthur Phelps
Lucy Beaumont	...	Mrs. Barnes, Cassie's Mother
Kathrin Clare Ward	...	Mrs. Kane (as Clare Ward)
Robert Dudley	...	Lem - the Druggist
Marcia Harris	...	Landlady
Walter Miller	...	Manager of Drugstore
Armand Kaliz	...	Andre

Storyline

Cassie has come to New York and goes to work as a model where her friend Gladys works. She falls in love with wealthy young Jerry who is already married. Gladys has the same probelm with her man Phelps.

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Plot Keywords:

suicide | pre code film | drug store | landlady | druggist | 

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Taglines:

YOU WILL BE SHOCKED by these Clever Coin Chasers (Print Ad- Schenectady Gazette, ((Schenectady NY)) 24 February 1932)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the last film for which Jean Harlow was loaned out. All her remaining pictures were for her home studio, MGM.

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Goofs

When Jerry's limo arrives at Cassie's apartment after their drive through Central Park, the camera's tripod legs, then a square studio light can be seen in reflection in the driver's door.

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Quotes

Cassie Barnes: It certainly must have been a wild party last night.
Jerry Dexter: Oh, I don't know. I didn't stay there long. I ducked and spent the night in a speakeasy. I had to get away from those cackling women.
[Falls on Cassie's lap]
Jerry Dexter: Oh, excuse me. I beg your pardon.
Cassie Barnes: Well, don't tell me they were all blondes?
Jerry Dexter: Did I say I hated blondes? Well, I was wrong! 'Cause I hate brunettes too! Yes, and redheads.
Cassie Barnes: What have the poor things done to you?

User Reviews

Is the Title Meant to be Ironic

It's early Harlow in a role that doesn't require her signature sparkle. Still, there's enough shine to get noticed. The movie itself is nothing special, reminding me a bit of a cut-rate Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). Here shapely working-class girls Clarke and Harlow try to satisfy their hearts' desire by marrying well; at the same time, they must dodge the inevitable mashers. Seems however their rich gentlemen already have wives, so that becomes a problem. Still, we get to see Harlow wiggle in and out of costumes in what would become part of her appeal. Have to say I didn't recognize the familiar Andy Devine under all that chauffeur's uniform. Too bad he didn't get more screen time. Then there's Marie Provost, the wise-cracking third girl, whose rather chubby figure presaged an eventual tragic end (IMDB), cutting short a promising Patsy Kelly-type career.

There's one really jolting scene that's sneaky as heck. Broken hearted, Gladys (Clarke) peers down from stories above street level. We think we know what she's planning, but as it turns out, we don't. Anyway, it's a really well thought-out sequence in an otherwise unexceptional screenplay. All in all, the 60-some minutes amounts to a good look at a pre-celebrity Harlow, along with Mae Clarke, who at least doesn't have to eat grapefruit courtesy Jimmy Cagney.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1932 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blonde Baby

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

68 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1