A peek at what was better known as “The Whitest House in the World,” a 1.3 acre achromatic wonderland built for Hollywood’s crowning “Platinum Blonde” in the early 1930s. You can buy it for $16.8M There are few sacred spaces left in Los Angeles in 2026, especially celebrity residences from the city’s now long-evaporated Golden … Continue reading Inside Jean Harlow’s “Platinum Palace”
Harlow History at the Cocoanut Grove, June 1933
93 years ago today in Harlow History, June 3, 1933: Jean Harlow attends the West Coast opening of Abe Lyman’s orchestra at the Cocoanut Grove with new beau, cinematographer Harold Rosson, who was pointed out as Harlow’s date to the event by the LA Times on the 4th. “Hal Rosson’s apparently ‘making time’ with Jean … Continue reading Harlow History at the Cocoanut Grove, June 1933
Jean Harlow’s Beverly Glen Sunroom (1934)
Jean Harlow photographed in the sunroom inside her Beverly Glen Mansion circa late 1933 or early 1934: The Detroit Free-Press, July 1934 Seldom talked about, this relaxed, all-white space was profiled by Detroit Free-Press columnist Aileen Spafford in July 1934: “Jean Harlow calls her new home ‘Hollywood’s White House’—not that she has any political inclinations, … Continue reading Jean Harlow’s Beverly Glen Sunroom (1934)
Harlow at the Hotel St. Francis (December 27, 1932)
This wonderful, uncommon candid is courtesy of the Fang family photographic archive in the digital collections of the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley: Jean Harlow at the Hotel St. Francis in San Francisco on December 27, 1932, for a week’s post-Christmas shopping sojourn, according to the local Examiner. P.S. The wallpaper’s one thing, and the … Continue reading Harlow at the Hotel St. Francis (December 27, 1932)
Was Maisie (1939) Meant for Jean Harlow?
I'm primarily on Substack nowadays, but as this site's blog is still sporadically in use I might as well put it here too (since it is, well, about Jean Harlow). Maisie (1939) is one of the seminal ingredients in Ann Sothern’s saucy filmography, which renders the fact it wasn’t initially planned with her in mind slightly … Continue reading Was Maisie (1939) Meant for Jean Harlow?
Harlow, Small Town Girl, and Love on the Run
In honor of my Substack, where I'm primarily sharing my writing nowadays--not so much out of love for the outlet but out of recognizing many people no longer look at old-fashioned websites--I'm posting this June 2024 article on Harlow and two of her unrealized films that were not made with her in 1936. For some … Continue reading Harlow, Small Town Girl, and Love on the Run
June, not Jean: Harlow’s Nicest ‘Niece’
I'll sound like a broken record, but this is recycled from my Substack, where my best writing now lives. It is best viewed there as well; but as Harlow Heaven drives a formidable amount of web traffic, which I appreciate, I'll crosspost the free Harlow related posts. Consider subscribing if you feel inclined! A particularly … Continue reading June, not Jean: Harlow’s Nicest ‘Niece’
Una Merkel on Jean Harlow (circa 1968)
I was recently regretting the lack of Jean Harlow talk in Patsy Kelly’s later interviews (can’t blame anyone when they costarred but once), but luckily, four-time Harlow costar Merkel WAS asked, by the astonishingly prolific interviewer Richard Lamparski. Lamparski asked Merkel, who worked with everyone from Marlene Dietrich to Burl Ives, about her favorite films, … Continue reading Una Merkel on Jean Harlow (circa 1968)
Brief Thoughts on Harlow: The Blonde Bombshell (1993)
Sharon Stone, who effortlessly embodies the Harlow-deco outline, is a perfect narrator for such a documentary—and she certainly isn’t to blame for the shallow mythology of the script, or the old-timey vaudeville songs it’s read to. Two of my specific qualms with this documentary: 1. There’s the ancient spiel about Harlow longing to be an … Continue reading Brief Thoughts on Harlow: The Blonde Bombshell (1993)
Harlow’s Dolly Tree Costume … in 1974!
An unidentified model wears Jean Harlow’s chiffon negligee from Personal Property and a mask by Richard Bernstein during Diana Vreeland’s Hollywood Costume exhibition at The Met, 1974. Photographed by Francesco Scavullo for Vogue, December 1974—photo courtesy of the Condé Nast Archive. This achingly gorgeous Dolly Tree creation was called ‘dawn blue edged in silver lamé’ … Continue reading Harlow’s Dolly Tree Costume … in 1974!
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