Harlow (1965)

33% of users liked it
(205 ratings)

Hurriedly assembled to capitalize on the Paramount feature of the same name, Magna Pictures' Harlow was shot in less than two weeks, utilizing a glorified TV-kinescope process called Electronovision. Carol Lynley is physically an excellent choice to play 1930s Hollywood "platinum blonde" Jean… More Hurriedly assembled to capitalize on the Paramount feature of the same name, Magna Pictures' Harlow was shot in less than two weeks, utilizing a glorified TV-kinescope process called Electronovision. Carol Lynley is physically an excellent choice to play 1930s Hollywood "platinum blonde" Jean Harlow, though she has little of Harlow's casual charisma. Pushed into a movie career by Mama Jean (Ginger Rogers) in order to support her dysfunctional family, Jean rises from 2-reel comedies to big-budget features in the space of a year. Though one of the highest-priced stars at MGM, Jean's fortune is rapidly depleted by her high-living (and, it is hinted, incestuous) stepfather Marino Bello (Barry Sullivan). Seeking happiness and security, Jean marries producer Paul Bern (Hurd Hatfield), only to have him commit suicide due to his impotence. Just when her misery is about to be ended by her marriage to movie star William Mansfield (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.)--a thinly disguised William Powell, who refused to allow his name or likeness to be used--Jean dies of uremia at the age of 26. If you can get past those miserable Laurel & Hardy imitators at the beginning of Harlow, you might be able to survive the rest of the picture, which gives a whole new meaning to the word "cheap." Watch for boxing champ Sonny Liston in a one-scene bit. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Alex Segal
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1965 Wide

Critic Reviews

Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
The only thing this movie gets right are Jean's name and the name of her second husband, Paul Bern.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Two version of Jean Harlow's life came out the same year, both junk! This is the cheapjack version with Lynley completely wrong in the lead. Ginger unsurprisingly comes off best. Just hope nobody does this to you when you're gone!

Cast

            Carol Lynley as Jean Harlow

            Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as William Mansfield

            Ginger Rogers as Mama Jean

            Barry Sullivan as Marino Bello

            Hurd Hatfield as Paul Bern

            Celia Lovsky as Maria Ouspenskaya

            Lloyd Bochner as Marc Peters

            Hermione Baddeley as Marie Dressler

            Audrey Totter as Marilyn

            John Williams (II) as Jonathan Martin

            Audrey Christie as Thelma

            Michael Dante as Ed

            Jack Kruschen as Louis B. Mayer

            Robert Strauss as Hank

            Sonny Liston as First Fighter

            James Dobson as Counterman

            Cliff Norton as Billy

            Jim Plunkett as Stan Laurel

            John "Red" Fox as Oliver Hardy

            Joel Marston as Press Agent

            Buddy Lewis as Al Jolson

            Frank J. Scannell as Doctor

            Maureen Gaffney as Miss Larsen

            Ron Kennedy as Assistant Director

            Harry Holcombe as Minister

            Nick Dimitri as 2nd Fighter

            Christopher West as Bern's Secretary

            Paulle Clark as Waitress

            Carroll Baker
            
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