Bombshell (1933)

A glamorous film star rebels against the studio, her pushy press agent and a family of hangers-on.

Director:

Victor Fleming (uncredited)

Writers:

John Lee Mahin (screenplay), Jules Furthman (screenplay)

Stars:

Jean Harlow, Lee Tracy, Frank Morgan

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jean Harlow	...	Lola Burns
Lee Tracy	...	E.J. 'Space' Hanlon
Frank Morgan	...	Pops Burns
Franchot Tone	...	Gifford Middleton
Pat O'Brien	...	Jim Brogan
Una Merkel	...	Mac
Ted Healy	...	Junior Burns
Ivan Lebedeff	...	Marquis Hugo di Binelli di Pisa
Isabel Jewell	...	A Girl Friend (as Isobel Jewell)
Louise Beavers	...	Loretta
Leonard Carey	...	Winters
Mary Forbes	...	Mrs. Middleton
C. Aubrey Smith	...	Mr. Middleton
June Brewster	...	Alice Cole
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tom Kennedy	...	Minor Role (scenes deleted)

Storyline

Lola Burns is at the top of the pile in Hollywood. But life ain't easy, what with her father and brother always hanging around for handouts, and devious studio publicity honcho Space Hanlon cooking up endless lurid newspaper stories. Makes a girl want to give up pictures.

---

Plot Keywords:

screwball comedy | actress name in tagline | actor's name in tagline | damsel in distress | pre code film | 

---

Taglines:

SIZZLING WITH ROMANCE! (print ad - Lubbock Morning Avalanche - Texan Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - May 2, 1934 - all caps)

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film's earliest documented telecast took place in Cincinnati Monday 18 February 1959 on WXIX (Channel 19) (Newport KY), followed by Hartford CT 26 March 1957 on WHCT (Channel 18), by Norfolk VA 28 March 1957 on WTAR (Channel 3), by Minneapolis 18 May 1957 on KMGM (Channel 9), by Portland OR 20 May 1957 on KGW (Channel 8), by Honolulu 10 June 1957 on KHVH (Channel 13), by Amarillo TX 12 June 1957 on KFDA (Channel 19), by Kansas City MO 19 June on KCMO (Channel 5), by Tucson 14 August 1957 on KVOA (Channel 4), by Phoenix 17 August 1957 on KPHO (Channel 5), by Chicago 11 October 1957 on WBBM (Channel 2), by Cleveland 23 November 1957 on KYW (Channel 3), by Fresno CA 25 November 1957 on KMJ (Channel 24), by Tampa 30 November 1957 on WFLA (Channel 8), by Spokane 11 December 1957 on KHQ (Channel 6), and by San Francisco 17 February 1958 on KGO (Channel 7). Obviously, Jean Harlow had once again taken the country by storm, and but it was not until 18 May 1958 they finally got the message in Los Angeles, where, as The Blonde Bombshell, this one was finally first aired on KTTV (Channel 11), and another year passed before New York City could take a look at it 1 June 1959 on WCBS (Channel 2).

---

Goofs

Around the 27 minute mark, leaving the Cocoanut Grove, as Lola and Space get into the cab, there is a brief moment in the cut where the actors are silently waiting for the "action" cue. Space is holding his jacket stiffly, waiting to put it down, and Lola is lightly primping. At the exact same moment, her primping becomes more vigorous, she begins speaking her lines, and Space puts down his jacket.

---

Quotes

Space Hanlon: [to the paparazzi outside of Lola's home] Now listen you mugs, get on this, this is a real yarn... well, go on you Comanches, this is Custer's last stand!

---

Connections

Referenced in Sex at 24 Frames Per Second (2003)

---

Soundtracks

I'm Dancin' on a Rainbow
(uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown

User Reviews

Just superb

Hysterical comedy with Jean Harlow playing Lola Burns--an actress being driven crazy by her dysfunctional family and her overzealous publicity man (Lee Tracy).

VERY quick, very risque (this was pre-Code) and very funny spoof/satire on Hollywood, the studios and the stars. One liners fly fast and furious and the film almost never stops for breath.

Harlow is just incredible--she's sexy, funny and one hell of an actress! She carries the whole picture on her shoulders. She's matched by Tracy who plays the role of a slimy publicity man to perfection. Frank Morgan and Franchot Tone offer great comedic support also (especially Tone with his "romantic" lines).

Basically this is a true classic comedy. It deserves a lot more recognition than it gets. It's also a chance to see Harlow in her prime--she was an incredible actress who died tragically at a very young age.

This is an absolute must-see. Don't miss it!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 October 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bombshell

Filming Locations:

Pioneer Hotel, Downtown, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$344,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1