Reckless (1935)

Wealthy Bob Harrison buys all the seats in the theatre to watch Mona Leslie's musical by himself. He loves her, her agent Ned Riley loves her. Conflict ensues.

Director:

Victor Fleming

Writers:

P.J. Wolfson (screen play), David O. Selznick (from a story by) (as Oliver Jeffries)

Stars:

Jean Harlow, William Powell, Franchot Tone

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean Harlow	...	Mona Leslie
William Powell	...	Ned Riley
Franchot Tone	...	Bob Harrison
May Robson	...	Granny
Ted Healy	...	Smiley
Nat Pendleton	...	Blossom
Rosalind Russell	...	Josephine (Jo) Mercer
Mickey Rooney	...	Eddie
Henry Stephenson	...	Col. Harrison
Man Mountain Dean	...	Man Mountain Dean - Wrestler (as Man-Mountain Dean)
Robert Light	...	Paul Mercer
Allan Jones	...	Allan
Carl Randall	...	Carl Randall
Louise Henry	...	Louise
James Ellison	...	Dale Every

Storyline

Wealthy Bob Harrison buys all the seats in the theatre to watch Mona Leslie's musical by himself. He loves her, her agent Ned Riley loves her. Conflict ensues.

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Plot Keywords:

screwball comedy | love | singer | playboy | vacuum cleaner | 

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Taglines:

Jerome Kern wrote the hit song "Reckless" for Jean to sing! (Ad cuts).

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the last films to sneak through before the Production Code cracked down on Hollywood in 1935. Jean Harlow goes braless in most of her musical numbers, as she was wont to do, and there are pointed, lascivious remarks made by William Powell to her character, one of which alludes to the possibility of her having caught a venereal disease from Franchot Tone.

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Goofs

As Ned, Smiley and Blossom leave a betting parlor with winnings from horse betting, they pass a jewelry shop's window display of wedding rings with a candle on each side. The candle on the right is tilted at a 45 degree angle. Both candles are vertical in the next shot.

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Quotes

Bob Harrison: Jo, I'm sorry. I didn't mean - I don't know what...
Josephine (Jo) Mercer: What? I'm sorry? Don't be silly. Sorry? When you're married to her? She's great. I mean that! Well, I'm afraid she isn't any better than I am; but, at least she's just as good. Lots of luck.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Jean Harlow (1962)

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Soundtracks

Reckless
(1935)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Played during the opening and closing credits
Sung by Jean Harlow (uncredited) (dubbed by Virginia Verrill (uncredited)) in a production number
Danced by Jean Harlow (uncredited), Rafael Alcayde (uncredited) and chorus
Sung by Nina Mae McKinney (uncredited)
Reprised by the band at Jo's Wedding with Jean Harlow (uncredited) dancing
Played as background music often

User Reviews

Enjoyable Musical Comedy/Drama

This really seems like a Marion Davies vehicle: comedienne who really can't dance or sing is called upon to do so (but her songs are dubbed). This one has ornate, ridiculous-but-not-Busby Berkely routines, and the usual good, almost artistic, direction by Victor Fleming. But it also has William Powell and Jean Harlow! I've never seen Powell more relaxed and fun; he has obvious chemistry not just with Harlow but with May Robson as Granny! The scenes between him and May are a delight. And Harlow's acting is great! So it's a must-see for fans of Powell and Harlow. Just be prepared, the musical scenes are a joke, and the final scene is so ill-conceived it's a let-down. Otherwise, this is first-rate.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 April 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Reckless

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$858,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1