Harlow (1965)

Loosely based biography of 1930s star Jean Harlow as she begins her climb to stardom.

Director:

Alex Segal

Writer:

Karl Tunberg

Stars:

Carol Lynley, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Ginger Rogers

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Carol Lynley	...	Jean Harlow
Efrem Zimbalist Jr.	...	William Mansfield
Ginger Rogers	...	Mama Jean Bello
Barry Sullivan	...	Marino Bello
Hurd Hatfield	...	Paul Bern
Lloyd Bochner	...	Marc Peters
Hermione Baddeley	...	Marie Dressler
Audrey Totter	...	Marilyn
John Williams	...	Jonathan Martin
Audrey Christie	...	Thelma
Michael Dante	...	Ed
Jack Kruschen	...	Louis B. Mayer
Celia Lovsky	...	Marie Ouspenskaya
Robert Strauss	...	Hank
Sonny Liston	...	First Fighter

Storyline

One of two "Harlow" film biographies that appeared in 1965, this one stars Carol Lynley in the title role that begins as [link-nm0001318], a bit player in Laurel and Hardy comedies, is invited to test for director Jonathan Martin for the lead in Howard Hughes's "Hell's Angels." She is an instantaneous sensation, and in a series of films devoted more to her body than her talent, she becomes Hollywood's "Platanum Blonde."

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | surname as title | one word title | jean harlow character | stan laurel character | 

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Taglines:

The Picture The World Has Been Waiting To See!

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The part of Mama Jean Bello initially had been accepted by Judy Garland, who then had second thoughts about the slapdash quality of the project and withdrew before filming started. Next, Eleanor Parker, went quickly in and out prior to shooting. Ultimately, the mother role would be played by Ginger Rogers, making her last feature-film appearance.

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Goofs

When Harlow falls ill in middle of shooting scene on a movie set there are (probably for budgetary reasons) less than a handful of studio employees in attendance; in reality, a set of a major picture is teeming with dozens of creative and technical staffers.

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Connections

References Hell's Angels (1930)

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Soundtracks

I Believed It All
Written by Al Ham, Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman
Vocal by Mary Mayo

User Reviews

Fascinating curiosity

More of a curiosity than a movie, this shot-in-8-days quickie was made to beat the release date of the big budget Joseph E. Levine production of Harlow. Lasting in a few theaters for just about as long as it took to shoot it, it utilized the experimental "Electronovison" process (as was The T.A.M.I Show and Richard Burton's Hamlet) which was basically a step up from kinescopes. The effect is like watching a shot-on-video soap opera from the 60s and one not quite as polished as say, Dark Shadows. As for the content, this Harlow trivializes the image of the great 30s star as much as the Carroll Baker Harlow yet in different ways. Here she's petulant, demanding, and obnoxious. With its shot-on-the-fly direction, writing, and performances, it doesn't get much deeper than the video tape allows. Oddly enough, what this movie most reminded me of was Inserts, the low-budget Richard Dreyfuss movie about the shady adult-film industry in the 30s. Yet, if you get a chance to see it don't miss it. It's one-of-a-kind.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blonda bombnedslaget

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Theatrofilm

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1