Remembering the legendary Jean Arthur, who left us thirty years ago today — the two Jeans acted side by side with Clara Bow in The Saturday Night Kid (1929). Here’s a still for the film with Clara Bow, Jean Harlow, and Arthur:
The Saturday Night Kid holds the distinction of being Jean Harlow’s first credited role in a full-length feature film; before then, her credits were limited to two-reelers. Sadly, I have no stories relating to the two Jeans together on set—but I do know of a good one involving The Saturday Night Kid’s star, Clara Bow.
David Stenn interviewed Arthur Jacobson, the assistant director, and relates this story in both of his amazing biographies on Bow and Harlow. Bow had perceived Harlow’s on-set presence in a tight dress as a threat, and promptly asked Jacobson to have Harlow removed, saying “If she dresses like that for an interview, how’s she gonna dress in a scene? Who’s gonna see me next to her?”
However, it didn’t take long for Bow to grow fond of Harlow—and she did the younger girl a favor she’d never forget. Bow passed on one of her Edith Head-designed gowns for Harlow to wear, and requested that publicity pictures be taken of the two together, which you’re looking at. “She was simply fascinated by her [Harlow],” recalled Edith Head herself.
Harlow never forgot the kindness, and held Clara Bow in high regard for the rest of her life.
Harlow Heaven 