90 years ago today in Harlow History, September 4, 1936: a “Mother” Jean-signed letter is typed and postmarked to Virginia pen pal Nellie, one of a handful of women Harlow and Co. readily and repeatedly corresponded with, which bolstered her image as a grateful and accessible woman. Though in this case, Harlow seemed to have been called out for a lapse in communication:
“Dear Nellie:
You ask what is wrong dear, nothing except too much work. We have been very busy making one picture after the other and dear, when I would get home at night I would be too tired to even think, much less write.
We have finished our current picture “Libeled Lady”, except for retakes and I am leaving, by plane, this afternoon for Catalina Island, where I will enjoy a short vacation with mother.
Mother caught a 175 lb. Marlin last week and sent it over to the mainland and I shared the steaks with the rest of the cast. I am going to see what I can do along the fishing line this week.
Must hurry now dear as I have many things to attend to before plane time this afternoon.
Love and best of good wishes,
Fondly,
Jean Harlow”
📸: Jean Harlow and “Mother” Jean’s purported marlin on the set of Libeled Lady in late August 1936, which is very similar to one displayed on the wall of the fishing trip cabin in the film. Harlow and her mother loved to fish, but the extent of their real involvement in this cleverly plot-related publicity stunt is indeed questionable.
