Libeled Lady (1936)

78% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(2,506 ratings)

Spencer Tracy, Myrna Loy, and William Powell star in this crackling screwball comedy about a cut-throat newspaper editor's scheme to prevent a libel suit that ends up exploding in everybody's face. Tracy plays Warren Haggerty, the managing editor of a newspaper that mistakenly prints a story… More Spencer Tracy, Myrna Loy, and William Powell star in this crackling screwball comedy about a cut-throat newspaper editor's scheme to prevent a libel suit that ends up exploding in everybody's face. Tracy plays Warren Haggerty, the managing editor of a newspaper that mistakenly prints a story declaring the rich Connie Allenbury (Myrna Loy) has stolen away another woman's husband. Connie retaliates by suing the paper for $5 million. This happens right before Warren is about to marry his fiancee Gladys (Jean Harlow). As he has done several times in the past, Warren delays the wedding in order to stop the libel suit. Warren hires Bill Chandler (William Powell), a former employer who is desperate for a job, to marry Gladys in name only and then court Connie. That way, Gladys can sue Connie for alienation of affections and get Connie to agree to drop her lawsuit if Gladys will drop hers. Bill hops an ocean liner to accompany Connie and her father (Walter Connolly) back to the United States, but along the way Bill and Connie fall in love and Bill tries to convince Gladys to drop her suit so it won't hinder his relationship with Connie. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Jack Conway
Written By: Maurine Watkins, Howard Emmett Rogers, George Oppenheimer
Genres: Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1936 Wide
On DVD: Mar 1, 2005

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
A charming cast, headed by Tracy, Harlow, William Powell and Myrna Loy, elevates this screwball comedy, a typically glossy MGM fare of the Depression era.
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
Earns its keep simply for the moment when Loy, expecting Powell to describe her eyes in gushing terms, is instead startled when he remarks that they look like "angry marbles."
Mark Robison, Reno Gazette-Journal
The actors are game but the hijinks are too stilted and tame by today's standards.
Tony Whitt, Now Playing Magazine
A little gem of a movie that should have won an Oscar.
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
Four classic comedy stars liven up a tepid affair...and a bland DVD package.
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
More intriguing for behind-the-scenes gossip than its rather familiar screwball comedy machinations.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
All-star cast of MGM regulars William Powell, Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy, and Jean Harlow.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Classic screwball farce. Not as funny as it might be, but worthwhile.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Altho billed with Harlow as the star don't t be fooled. Powell and Loy had already struck box office gold 2 years previously with The Thin Man and so this is really their movie, the studio cashing in on their undenible chemistry together. Harlow and Tracy are only second… More
Altho billed with Harlow as the star don't t be fooled. Powell and Loy had already struck box office gold 2 years previously with The Thin Man and so this is really their movie, the studio cashing in on their undenible chemistry together. Harlow and Tracy are only second bananas in this poor second cousin to a screwball comedy. Harlow is in fact wasted as a shrew while Tracy fares only a little better as a foil to Powell. Ultimately a disappointment though.
Stella D

right up there with the classic screwball comedies. no idea why it isn't more well known. scenes between powell and tracy are pure gold
AJ V

I can't seem to remember much about this movie right now, and reading the synopsis just confused me more. Obviously I gave it four stars, so I enjoyed it, but I'll have to see it again to see why.
Morgan S

Not what I was expecting. Truth be told I found it a bit disapointing. I just felt there could have been more comdey and less drama. And Ik that the drama is what makes this movie so funny, but somehow it just didnt feel right. It was off by about a quarter of an inch. All the leads… More
Not what I was expecting. Truth be told I found it a bit disapointing. I just felt there could have been more comdey and less drama. And Ik that the drama is what makes this movie so funny, but somehow it just didnt feel right. It was off by about a quarter of an inch. All the leads are great of corse. I didnt really care for Spencer Tracy or his character though. And lets talk about how Jean Harlows Character gets totally ripped off and confused at the end. Sad. :( But all in all for one of those classics, you have to see it.
Mason W

This has to be one of my favorite screwball comedies. This grand film from MGM studios stars the best coupings of; Myrna Loy, Williams Powell. Spencer Tracy, & Jean Harlow. I love this film and it is truly a flm on top of my MUST SEE list. No matter in this comedy whom you end… More
This has to be one of my favorite screwball comedies. This grand film from MGM studios stars the best coupings of; Myrna Loy, Williams Powell. Spencer Tracy, & Jean Harlow. I love this film and it is truly a flm on top of my MUST SEE list. No matter in this comedy whom you end up with you are a winer no matter what. Other than the hit Thin Man series this is the other best vehicle for Loy & Powell. And the powers of Harlow & Tracy make it a very special comedy with great costumes, funny story line and more. Check this comedy staple out!
Michael G

A fun and witty movie with an incredible cast. One of the great classic underrated screwball comedies of the 30s. This was the first Jean Harlow movie I've seen and my interest is definitely piqued. Spencer Tracy proves that he was just as great at comedic roles as he was at… More
A fun and witty movie with an incredible cast. One of the great classic underrated screwball comedies of the 30s. This was the first Jean Harlow movie I've seen and my interest is definitely piqued. Spencer Tracy proves that he was just as great at comedic roles as he was at dramatic ones. And of course Powell and Loy are nothing short of stupendous here as they share tender and silly scenes here--the raft scene really sticks out as does the fly fishing scene. Damn fun stuff.
jay n

four classic stars working at full steam
cody f

If William Powell, Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy, & Jean Harlow are all in a movie together then you know it's greatness. Very entertaining screwball comedy with a rare teaming of Spencer Tracy and William Powell, who are great and I would have liked to see them do more films… More
If William Powell, Myrna Loy, Spencer Tracy, & Jean Harlow are all in a movie together then you know it's greatness. Very entertaining screwball comedy with a rare teaming of Spencer Tracy and William Powell, who are great and I would have liked to see them do more films together. A must see if you are a fan of the actors or the genre.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Jean Harlow as Gladys Benton

            William Powell as Bill Chandler

            Myrna Loy as Connie Allenbury

            Spencer Tracy as Warren Haggerty

            Walter Connolly as James B. Allenbury

            Charles Grapewin as Mr. Bane

            Cora Witherspoon as Mrs. Burns-Norvell

            E.E. Clive as Evans the Fishing Instructor

            Otto Yamaoka as Ching

            Charles Trowbridge as Graham

            Spencer Charters as Magistrate McCall

            George Chandler as Bellhop

            Greta Meyer as Connie's Maid

            William Benedict as Johnny

            Hal K. Dawson as Harvey Allen

            Norman Ainsley
            
            Harry C. Bradley as Justice of Peace

            Ralph Brooks as Dance Extra

            Jay Eaton
            
            Fred Graham as Press Man

            Sherry Hall as Denver Courier Editor

            Hattie McDaniel as Maid in Hall

            Howard Hickman as Cable Editor

            Olaf Hytten as Reporter

            Charles Irwin as Steward

            Selmar Jackson as Adams Editor of Washington Chronicle

            Eric Lonsdale
            
            James T. Mack as Pop

            Wally Maher
            
            Myra Marsh as Secretary

            Alphonse Martell as Table Captain

            Jack Mulhall
            
            William Newell as Divorce Detective

            Inez Palange as Fortune Teller

            Barnett Parker as Butler

            Thomas Pogue as Minister

            Eddie Shubert as Mac the Circulation Editor

            William Stack as Editor

            Edwin Stanley as Clerk

            Libby Taylor as Tiny Gladys' Maid

            Nick Thompson as Hot Dog Stand Man

            Richard Tucker as Barker

            Pat West as Detective

            Eric Wilton as Steward on Dock

            Duke York as Taxi Driver

            Charles King as Barker

            Tom Mahoney as Alex

            Dennis O'Keefe
            
            Pat Somerset as Photographer

            Bunny Beatty as Babs Burns-Norvell

            Harry Lash
            
            George Davis as Waiter

            Spencer Tracey
            
            Charley Grapewin
            
See full cast