Platinum Blonde (1931)

100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(982 ratings)

A rather bleak comedy-drama from Frank Capra, Platinum Blonde basically starts where Capra's later and much more buoyant It Happened One Night (1934) ends: the marriage between a brash newspaperman and a society dame. But where the latter comedy was enhanced by the director's patented optimism,… More A rather bleak comedy-drama from Frank Capra, Platinum Blonde basically starts where Capra's later and much more buoyant It Happened One Night (1934) ends: the marriage between a brash newspaperman and a society dame. But where the latter comedy was enhanced by the director's patented optimism, Platinum Blonde, produced at the height of the Great Depression, expresses no faith in a common ground between the classes. Star reporter Stew Smith (Robert Williams) falls in love with the sister (Jean Harlow) of his latest victim (Donald Dillaway). They marry despite the misgivings of Ann Schuyler's blue-nosed mother (Louise Closser Hale) and Stew's cynical colleagues ("Ann Schuyler's in the blue book. You're not even in the phone book!"). Unable to stand life in a gilded cage for long, Stew upsets the Schuyler mansion by inviting his friends to a wild and woolly party. Returning home unexpected in the middle of the drunken revelry, Ann lays down the law and Stew bolts -- right into the arms of girl reporter Gallagher (Loretta Young), whom he has loved all along without realizing it. Jean Harlow is surprisingly realistic as the callous society girl but Robert Williams' wisecracking reporter comes across as rather grating. An up-and-coming comic lead, Williams died after an operation for appendicitis on November 3, 1931, less than a month after Platinum Blonde had premiered to mostly positive reviews. Ironically, Loretta Young, who received top billing, had demanded to star in this film when it was still known as "Gallagher," the name of her character. Harlow, needless to stay, stole the limelight completely and Capra changed the title much to Young's chagrin. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Frank Capra
Written By: Harry Chandlee, Douglas W. Churchill
Genres: Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 31, 1931 Limited
On DVD: Nov 4, 2003
Studio: Columbia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Depression-era seduction
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Still, with all its usual Capra faults, it holds up as a slightly above average breezy newspaper comedy.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Vastly appealing early Capra with bits that resurface in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Early Capra screwball comedy… appealing to Depression audiences both as escapist entertainment and as satire of the idle rich and celebration of the hardworking poor.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Spencer S

There are some great screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's, and this is a terrific early film, directed by the father of feelgood, Frank Capra. Starring such screen greats as Jean Harlow and Loretta Young, the main character of Stew Smith (Robert Williams) is both a… More
There are some great screwball comedies of the 30's and 40's, and this is a terrific early film, directed by the father of feelgood, Frank Capra. Starring such screen greats as Jean Harlow and Loretta Young, the main character of Stew Smith (Robert Williams) is both a cautionary tale and a goofball, which fits with Will Hays' production code, but also is flagrantly absurd. It's a cute little piece of cinema, laden with compromises towards censorship.
Jennifer D

It has been quite awhile since I watched an old movie and I've forgotten how delightful they can be. I've seen plenty of old screwballs and this isn't the best of the best, but it is funny and witty. And Williams is quite hilarious! Almost Grant-esque. Predictable… More
It has been quite awhile since I watched an old movie and I've forgotten how delightful they can be. I've seen plenty of old screwballs and this isn't the best of the best, but it is funny and witty. And Williams is quite hilarious! Almost Grant-esque. Predictable story, but it made me laugh!
AJ V

A slightly funny and slightly dull movie.
jay n

Brisk social commentary comedy from Capra doesn't have the bite of his later 30's work but is interesting as evidence of it's development. Robert Williams is strong in the lead, it is easy too see him possibly going on to a career like Spencer Tracy's had he not… More
Brisk social commentary comedy from Capra doesn't have the bite of his later 30's work but is interesting as evidence of it's development. Robert Williams is strong in the lead, it is easy too see him possibly going on to a career like Spencer Tracy's had he not died just days after the premiere of this film. Loretta Young is beautiful and lively not yet having settled into the great lady mode she adopted a few years later. Jean, early in her career before MGM took her in hand and molded her into a first class comedienne and broad, is cast as the the rich girl and while she isn't terrible she's more at ease in the moments when she's not trying to play the grand society lady. Plus she does looks sensational in her almost blinding blondeness.
cody f

This is one of Frank Capra's early sound films. You really start to see his formula, but the film just doesn't hit it's mark and is predictable. One of the problems I had with the film was Robert Williams.He doesn't do a bad job,but you see this roll filled better… More
This is one of Frank Capra's early sound films. You really start to see his formula, but the film just doesn't hit it's mark and is predictable. One of the problems I had with the film was Robert Williams.He doesn't do a bad job,but you see this roll filled better in the future by Cagney,Gable, and Stewart. It's sad because Williams would die 3 days after this film was released and maybe he could have created a strong screen presence, but based on this one performance I wasn't blown away. The supporting cast wasn't too strong either, so that didn't help. I would probably enjoy this film more if I wasn't such a big Capra fan. He hadn't found his legs yet and it comes off as a B version of his later work.