Jean Harlow admires the flowers in a rare shot taken underneath a “windowsill” in the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard, circa 1933 (a venue she was spied at often that year). (Peers Buddy Rogers, Claire Windsor, Sally Clark, and Don Alvarado are shown in the same spot in 1933, as published in Screen Book mag…next … Continue reading Harlow at the Ambassador, circa ‘33
Category: Portraits
Harlow and Bygone Fashion Trends: The Evening Hood
One of my favorite topics on the subject of fashion history are the quaint little trendy accessories that dot every era; some stuck it out and eventually matured into timeless classics, like the Sixties miniskirt; some are entirely off-kilter today, such as the 'jingle garter' of the Twenties. Old Hollywood publicity portraits are a great … Continue reading Harlow and Bygone Fashion Trends: The Evening Hood
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
From My Collection: Harlow by Hurrell (April 1937)
From my collection: an original press photo of Jean Harlow, from a portrait taken by George Hurrell in his Hollywood studio for Saratoga publicity, April 1937. One of the last professional portrait sittings with her before she crossed through the mortal plane. Snipe on verso from day of publication, the day after Harlow’s funeral, June … Continue reading From My Collection: Harlow by Hurrell (April 1937)
Harlow and Haines
A priceless candid of Jean out on the town at the Troc I can’t help but sharing—even if the quality is a little low. (This is a Lantern scan, and I tweaked the brightness/contrast on this a little bit for ease of viewing). Photo by none other than candid photographer extraordinaire Hyman Fink, whose other … Continue reading Harlow and Haines
Myths: The Dress Too Tight to Sit
Finally found the probable origin of that B.S. “the dress was too tight to sit down” story in regard to those Dinner at Eight pictures which show Harlow on a leaning board. Now I can close my case. From Schickel’s “The Stars”, 1962: Contrary to popular belief, Harlow could sit down just fine (and was … Continue reading Myths: The Dress Too Tight to Sit
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
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
Fashion Portraits: by Hurrell, 1935
Here’s a fashion portrait of Jean (likely by Hurrell, love those) dating around the China Seas era, 1935. Lots of white in this one, down to the outfit. Original news snipe that accompanied the portrait to print describes it: “HARLOW A STYLE INFLUENCE— The girl from Kansas City who is credited with introducing the platinum … Continue reading Fashion Portraits: by Hurrell, 1935
Fashion Portraits: Dolly Tree’s Hostess Slack Suit for LIBELED LADY (1936)
Well, it's certainly been a little while since I've done a "Fashion Portraits" themed blog post, but here I am, and with some lovely Ted Allan shots from Libeled Lady (1936). Harlow posed for these costumed publicity photos on set during the film's production in summer 1936: This beautifully structured Dolly Tree creation was designed … Continue reading Fashion Portraits: Dolly Tree’s Hostess Slack Suit for LIBELED LADY (1936)
