Myrna Loy on Jean Harlow

Myrna Loy and Jean Harlow appeared to be very different, on-screen. One of them was the perfect wife and the other was a sex symbol. But they did have one thing in common: William Powell.

It was during a session for the Louella Parson's radio show (where Powell and Loy were performing some scenes from their popular film The Thin Man) that Powell introduced these two cinema queens to each other. Powell and Harlow were an 'item' at the time (a full post on that latter).

I thought, My God, I've never seen such beautiful skin. That creamy complexion and platinum hair really knocked you out. She was being very careful and shy, since this was her first time out in public with Bill. Jean was beautiful, but far from the raucous sexpot of her films (Being and Becoming, 124).

Shortly after their meeting the two co-starred in their first film together, Wife vs. Secretary (1936) with Clark Gable, followed shortly by Libeled Lady (1936) with Powell and Spencer Tracy. However, it wasn't during either of these films that these two legends of the silver screen really became friends but rather during the filming of After the Thin Man (193).

At the premiere of Libeled Lady (also in the photo is Arthur Hornblow, Myrna's husband).

They were shooting exteriors in San Francisco. Bill, Jean, and Myrna went up by train together. Upon arrival, Bill and Myrna were told by the management of the St. Francis Hotel that the Flyshaker Suite had been reserved for them. They had assumed that they were married, which isn't difficult to believe after seeing their on-screen chemistry (which was up to five films by now). The rest of the hotel was booked, except for a small hall bedroom. "There's nothing for you to do," Jean said, "We'll just have to put Bill downstairs."

That mix-up brought me one of my most cherished friendships. You would have thought Jean and I were in boarding school we had so much fun. We'd stay up half the night talking and sipping gin, sometimes laughing, sometimes discussing more serious things...  

Jean was always very cheerful, full of fun, but she also happened to be a sensitive woman with a great deal of self-respect. All that other stuff - that was all put on. She wasn't like that at all. She just happened to be a good actress who created a lively characterization that exuded sex appeal (143).

Arriving in San Francisco (note the book Jean is holding).

It was also during this trip that Myrna realized the extent of Jean's love for Bill.

... a total childlike love, full of the exuberance and wonder that characterized her. She wanted marriage but he was afraid to marry her [he was , she was 2]. He loved her, but he'd been married twice... and both marriages had gone bust (142).

When Jean died suddenly in 1937, Myrna was devastated. "It was horrible, an awful blow; I loved Jean deeply. I felt a sickening mixture of grief, guilt, and frustration because I hadn't been able to do what might have saved her: get her away rom her mother for an examination [Jean and her mother were Christian Scientists]. With proper treatment, the cerebral edema that killed her would never have developed in a twenty-six-year-old girl."

So as not to end on a sad note, Sarah Burford of Curious Pip has drawn several sketches of what she imagines Myrna and Jean did when they "hung out." She frequently creates dolls and draws sketches, postcards, and paper dolls of both Myrna and Jean (and other 1920s/30s actresses such as Clara Bow, Louise Brooks, and Claudette Colbert) to sell on Etsy - they go quick! If you are a fan of either of these actresses you will ADORE her creations! Check out her "Day in the Life of Jean Harlow" sketches as well as some of her Jean Harlow dolls and Myrna Loy/Nora Charles dolls.

Harlean Harlow Carpenter: The Blonde Bombshell is Born

When one hears the name Jean Harlow, images of a platinum blonde sex goddess draped in slinky white satin and spouting forth come-backs faster than you can say "rain barrel" come to mind. But Jean Harlow, one of Hollywood's most tragic stars who's life was snuffed out decades before her time, was so much more than that. A talented comedic actress unlike any other, yes, but also a woman who wanted to love and be loved, a tomboy, a prankster, hard-working, vulnerable, a altogether likeable girl with no stuffy airs of self-importance. Yet in her short 26 years, she led a life that had enough material for several movies, many of them tragic. This month we will look at who Jean Harlow, the "name in lights," really was as well as look at her few but well beloved films. Our story starts, like all stories, at the beginning.

Harlean Harlow Carpenter was born March 3, 1911, in Kansas City, Missouri. The red faced, cotton-white haired baby, weighing 9 pounds, was the first and only child of Mont Clair Carpenter, a dentist, and his wife Jean. If the baby had been a boy, he was going to be named Harlow Carpenter, Harlow being Jean's maiden name. But, as she was a girl, the name Harlean was chosen and Harlow was made the middle name.

Birth announcement; Harlean at 8 months.

In Platinum Girl: The Life and Legends of Jean Harlow by Eve Golden, Harlean's mother is described as not having an "ounce of common sense. As the child of a wealthy, indulgent man, she grew up to be vague, imperious, and self-centered, spoiled by her parents and aunts. But she had the kind of buxom blonde looks popular in the early 1900s and mastered the helpless, kittenish charm of a spoiled darling. This was sufficient to overwhelm the sheltered young Dr. Carpenter; it wasn't until years later that he learned how the fluttery exterior hid a woman determined to have her own way" (14-15).This soon led to marital problems and Dr. Carpenter realized that "he'd not only married Jean, he'd married the entire Harlow clan (15). He began to retreat into his work, leaving Jean to her family.

Mama Jean's (as she will now be called) parents fell in love with Harlean. Of her grandparents, Jean (Harlean) remembers, "My grandparents were about two of the most doting... who ever lived. As a result I became a small, pampered tyrant who, at two years old, was in complete control of the house.

When Harlean was three, Dr. Carpenter had the family moved to a small house to try to get away from his in-laws. It was at this house Harlean got her first pet, an Airdale named Tigalaff. Harlean's life was full of servants, extravagance, and people who spoiled her endlessly (her grandfather gave her an ermine bedspread when she was five).

In 1916, Harlean began attending Miss Barstow's School, an "elite prep school catering to the daughters of the upper middle class" (18).

                   

Harlean aged 4 (left) and 5.

 

At an early age, Harlean began to display a dislike for fancy clothes, which with her tree-climbing and horseback riding didn't last long. Comfortable clothing was something she would prefer the rest of her life.

 

When Harlean was eight the family moved again. The new house was red brick, had eighteen rooms, and was situated on five acres. Here, Harlean could have as many pets as she liked. She also had the chauffeur's son teach her how to drive, an episode ending badly for the family car. Harlean also developed a love of writing. When she was ten she wrote a tale titled "An Elf's Adventures." The short story, about a "fun-loving elf named Mischi who runs away from school and is nearly captured by a fat little girl," was published in her school's yearbook (21).

 

 Aged 8.

It was also at this time that Harlean's father decided to seek a divorce. As it was unusual for a child to be put in the custody of their father, Harlean was left with her mother. The two, who became extremely close (to the point of obsession on Mama Jean's part), moved to Los Angeles so that Mama Jean could pursue her dream of acting. While she was busy going around the studios, Harlean attended the Hollywood School for Girls, which included male students, among them Joel McCrea and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

During this time, Harlean became movie-crazed and began imitating the silent stars she saw on the big screen, including smoking like Nita Naldi. Her favorite star was cowboy Buck Jones.

Mama Jean, only divorced a year, married Italian Marino Bello, a slick operator who never had any money. The family didn't have much to live on and as Mama Jean's dreams of becoming an actress didn't seem to be materializing, they moved back to Missouri in 1925.

Harlean was enrolled in Ferry Hall and took the school by storm. She won the lead in the schools play "The Winter's Tale." Also during this time, Harlean, always a striking looking girl, began to be noticed by the boys. One in particular, twenty year old Chuck McGrew, was especially anxious to get Harlean's attention. Soon the two were in love and talking about marriage, alarming both sets of parents. Mama Jean, not wanting to lose her "Baby," wanted Harlean to wait until she was eighteen, hoping that by that time the two would have lost interest in each other. Harlean however, had her own ideas and on September 20, 1927, she eloped.

After the unavoidable unpleasantries that followed between Harlean, Chuck, and their parents, and a honeymoon cruise, the newly-weds headed to Los Angeles to start a new life. Mama Jean and her no-good husband followed.

The young couple lived on Chuck's inheritance and all seemed to be going well for the first few months. Harlean began to be restless and spent most of her time going around with friends. It was through one of these that her life changed.

One day Harlean gave her friend Lucille Lee a ride to Fox Studios, where she worked as a film extra. Harlean was spotted by casting director Joe Egli. He gave her his card and urged her to register with the casting organization. After some serious thinking, and the encouragement of her excited mother, Harlean took a big step into her future. Mother and daughter headed to Central casting, where Mama Jean signed her name as Jean Bello and Harlean registered under the name Jean Harlow. The Blonde Bombshell was born.

      

Behind the Dress: A New Series

Every dress has a story to tell - especially if it's worn by a Movie Star or from a Hollywood film. And the stories are even better when that dress is from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

This series will look at two dresses a month, on the second and fourth Saturdays. Our first dress will be one worn by Jean Harlow and will be posted March 12 during our Jean Harlow Month. I hope you will join me.

The Obligatory Oscars Post - Fashion Edition

I know this is a Classic Movie blog but since there has been quite a bit about Oscar-winning fashions over here I thought I would share my favorite Red Carpet looks from this Sunday's Oscars.

The "In Memoriam" video shown at the Oscars

Out of my predictions I got six right: Best Actor, Actress, Cinematography, Original Song, Documentary, and Animated Feature Film. I was happy when Alicia Vikander won Best Supporting Actress because I thought she was great in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (she was nominated for The Danish Girl). Plus, she's adorable. She sounded like she could hardly breathe when she won.

My first choice for Best Supporting Actor was Sylvester Stallone, as Rocky is one of my top favorite movies (haven't seen Creed yet though) with my second choice being Tom Hardy (latest movie star crush). The Oscar went to Mark Rylance, who was the only one to win an award for Bridge of Spies, which had six nominations.

Tom Hardy with wife and The Revenant co-star Leonardo DiCaprio

(does Hardy have a picture of himself on his phone?!?).

And now to the fashion portion of this post (there were lots of necklines that were confused and thought they were waistlines but there is only one of those shared here). First of all, I was hoping Cinderella would win Best Costume but that honor went to Mad Max: Fury Road (as did most of the other awards). I thought it was very appropriate that Cate Blanchett (who was in Cinderella and had some AMAZING gowns) presented the Award. Some cool props were brought on stage, which I thought was awesome - it highlighted the importance of costumes.

                  

Designer: Armani Prive

 

 

There were lots of great earrings on the Red Carpet

I wasn't quite sure how I liked Alicia Vikander's dress when I first saw it but it quickly grew on me. Of course it is being compared to Belle's ballroom gown in Beauty and the Beast.

                        

Designer: Louis Vuitton

Emily Blunt, one of my favorite actresses of today (even though I've only seen five of her films) won as cutest expectant mother. Her dress was sexy without being slutty. I thought it was very appropriate.

Designer: Prada 

                      

Brie Larson, who won Best Actress, had a very beautiful blue gown with a jeweled belt.

                       

Designer: Gucci

 

 

        

Brie had a great smile on the Red Carpet.

 

Hugging her young Room co-star, Jacob Tremblay, before heading to the stage to accept her Oscar. You can view her acceptance speech here.

 

Tom Hardy's wife, Charlotte Riley, wore a gorgeous gown, at least, it would have been if the neckline would have been raised a bit.

 

            

Designer: Gaurie & Nainika

The gown had a great full skirt and the red lipstick made it very glamorous.

 

Other beautiful black gowns included Jennifer Garner (who sadly did not look happy, she was smiling but not with her eyes - UPDATE: it was probably just the painful metal corset she was wearing):

 

      

Designer: Versace

  

 Another pair of great earrings.

 

Julianne Moore (the lace skirt on this one is gorgeous):

 

     

Designer: Chanel

      

 

And Kate Winslet, whose dress was made of some unusual fabric. At first it looked olive green but later it looked black. I loved her hair and makeup.

 

 LOVE these earrings!

 

For all the Kate and Leo fans out there. Though I'm not a DiCaprio fan, I'm glad he finally won an Oscar. You can view his acceptance speech here.

 

Designer: Ralph Lauren 

A surprise look I liked was Lady Gaga. She has been trending toward a more glamorous Old-Hollywood look of late, especially in her choice of hair styles and makeup. I loved that her gown had pants, like the hostess outfits of the 50s.

 

         

Designer: Brandon Maxwell

 

Favorite hair and makeup goes to Rachel McAdams. Her makeup is done by her sister. Her dress was too revealing though (you can't tell from these photos).

 

Designer: August Getty Atelier

Hair by Mark Townsend. Makeup by Chanel.

 

 

The men of the evening for the most part all looked quite dashing (see Hardy and DiCaprio above). There weren't any really strange outfits this year. Henry Cavill wore a velvet suit coat:

 

Designer: Dunhill

                       

I'm sure he was happy to see Vikander win, as they co-starred in The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

 

Jimmy Kimmel (right) with his fake nemesis, Matt Damon.

 

The real highlight of the night for me was the After the Oscars show with Jimmy Kimmel. This happened:

 

 

Also, an exclusive deleted scene from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was shown.

 

 

Finally, I will leave you with a picture of the four Oscar-winning actors:

 

Mark Rylance, Brie Larson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Alicia Vikander