August 31, 1936: Jean Harlow and William Powell—lovers as well as costars—leave the set of Libeled Lady at MGM to attend the wedding of Powell’s lookalike double, Warren ‘Doc’ Dearborn, to Miss Edith Bresnahan. As you can tell, I’m very pleased with myself over the joke in the title; Doc was in that one, too. … Continue reading A real “Double Wedding”!
Category: Harlow History
Harlow History: Bombshell
August 11, 1933: Jean Harlow models a phenomenal gold lamé costume in publicity for Bombshell (1933), crafted by Adrian for Lola Burns, the flighty, exuberant heroine of the same movie. The high in Los Angeles on this day was an apparent 92 degrees, which renders Harlow (and everyone else at the studio that day) a … Continue reading Harlow History: Bombshell
Harlow History with Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt and Jean Harlow celebrating FDR’s fifty-fifth birthday inside the Wardman Park Hotel eighty-six years ago tonight, January 30, 1937. This was just one leg of the festivities, as previously mentioned; FDR’s fourth annual birthday ball was held in numerous hotels throughout D.C. and was being celebrated nationwide. Harlow pairs a white ermine wrap … Continue reading Harlow History with Eleanor Roosevelt
Harlow and Chuck McGrew
Thought about “Chuck” McGrew and his role in young Harlow’s life after noticing an upcoming date: September 21. It seems I have a disease called “remembering Jean Harlow milestones on their anniversaries”, so thought I’d put my thoughts on the blog while they’re relevant. They’re too wordy for social media and too brief for much … Continue reading Harlow and Chuck McGrew
Harlow History: March 29, 1934
88 years ago in Harlow History, March 29, 1934: Jean Harlow and Lewis Stone film an initial take of their shared scene in The Girl From Missouri. Shown is a dated MGM studio production still that has Jean Harlow’s character, Eadie Chapman, in frills and stockings from an earlier scene—in the final version that moviegoers … Continue reading Harlow History: March 29, 1934
Fashion Portraits: Jean Harlow by Herbert Mitchell, 1932
Been awhile since I’ve done a “Fashion Portraits” post, but I always enjoy doing them, so here’s another. In early 1932, Jean Harlow was deep in a personal appearance tour that would last from December 1931 to April 1932, when her cinematic efforts were rewarded with an MGM contract. I’ve written a bit about this … Continue reading Fashion Portraits: Jean Harlow by Herbert Mitchell, 1932
Harlow and Taylor Go To D.C., January 1937
Not quite today in Harlow History, but 85 years ago yesterday; didn’t quite realize the date on these in time. Better late than never. On January 26, 1937, Jean Harlow and her Personal Property costar Robert Taylor were photographed at the Pasadena Train Station getting ready to embark on the Santa Fe “Chief” for their … Continue reading Harlow and Taylor Go To D.C., January 1937
Whatever Happened to Evelyn Gundersen?
In early 1932, Jean Harlow, not yet more than a popular starlet, was in the midst of a ten-week cross-country personal appearance tour; you can read more on that here. Arranged by her notoriously greedy stepfather and unsanctioned by her boss, Howard Hughes, the tour was initially a nightmare for Harlow—but by spring, she emerged … Continue reading Whatever Happened to Evelyn Gundersen?
89 Years Ago: Fashion at Easton Drive
89 years ago, July 5, 1932—Jean Harlow models a blue taffeta wedding gown for a fashion spread on her matrimonial staircase at Easton Drive, just three days after her wedding to Paul Bern. Here’s the original press caption that accompanied this to print, complete with description of the gown: “THE WEDDING MODE. A powder blue … Continue reading 89 Years Ago: Fashion at Easton Drive
Harlow History: May 20, 1937
May 20, 1937: 84 years ago today, Clark Gable and Jean Harlow (and director Jack Conway) pose in publicity pictures with four of their infant costars who appeared briefly as the Hurley Twins in Saratoga. At least three of these are likely the Andrews triplets, who are credited on IMDB. There were apparently seven rotating … Continue reading Harlow History: May 20, 1937
