July 7, 1936: Ted Allan photographs Jean applying lipstick, rouge, and powder by Max Factor, to bolster an ad campaign promoting the company’s line of “Color Harmony” products. This is one of various promotional shoots Harlow did for Max Factor over the years. She wears a tailored yellow hostess slack suit by Dolly Tree, worn … Continue reading Harlow History: July 7 and Max Factor, 1936
Category: Portraits
Harlow’s Imaginary Son, Bobby Caldwell
Jean Harlow and Clark Gable hold their movie son, little Bobby Caldwell, in publicity/production stills for Hold Your Man (1933). The purpose of these portraits, along with all numbered stills from MGM, can be determined by examining the photography codes. These are usually found written in one of the bottom corners, as seen here. First, … Continue reading Harlow’s Imaginary Son, Bobby Caldwell
Today in Harlow History: Portraits by Ted Allan, 1936
I’ve posted quite the wealth of Ted Allan portraits — not only does he capture Harlow’s loveliness like no other, his portraits also document a transitional period in her career. In the midst of revamping her image, Jean had not just changed her hair. Her flashy primary designer Adrian was replaced by Dolly Tree—and Ted … Continue reading Today in Harlow History: Portraits by Ted Allan, 1936
Harlow by Irving Chidnoff, c. 1931
I found myself writing way too much about these portraits to keep it within the character limit of social media — so here I am. Today I thumbed through several Harlow photos, as I do every day, and noticed I’ve never really paid special attention to the work of photographer Irving Chidnoff. His portraits of … Continue reading Harlow by Irving Chidnoff, c. 1931
Fashion Portraits: Jean Harlow by Ted Allan, October 1936
Jean does a modeling session for photographer Ted Allan on October 21, 1936. Shown below is one outfit out of many that were photographed this day. These fashion portraits were done in between Libeled Lady which was completed the month before, and Personal Property which began production in December. Photos from this shoot appeared … Continue reading Fashion Portraits: Jean Harlow by Ted Allan, October 1936
Fashion Portraits: Harlean McGrew AKA Jean Harlow for the Herald-Express
As part of our fashion portrait theme, here is a very early shot of Harlow modeling a satin gown and large scarf from September 1928. Taken just months before signing on to a five-year contract with Hal Roach, this young model was using her married name of Harlean McGrew II on official documents. Harlow … Continue reading Fashion Portraits: Harlean McGrew AKA Jean Harlow for the Herald-Express
Fashion Portraits: Harlow gets dressed by I. Magnin & Co, 1934
A magnificent Jean Harlow photographed by Clarence Sinclair Bull for a fashion spread, 1934. A few photos from this session appear in the August 1934 issue of Photoplay, and this particular dress is described in it: "Dinner time finds Jean dining out, so she wears a black and white polka dotted gown with a slight … Continue reading Fashion Portraits: Harlow gets dressed by I. Magnin & Co, 1934
Fashion Portraits: Jean Harlow by Clarence Sinclair Bull, 1932
A new week calls for a new theme and I’ve decided on fashion portraits. I do themes on my instagram weekly solely to keep track of what I'm posting. However, it's well known at this point my posts get pretty long and with more info than Instagram can handle. I'll be crossposting longer ones here … Continue reading Fashion Portraits: Jean Harlow by Clarence Sinclair Bull, 1932
A Simple Portrait of Jean Harlow: Inside and Out
I’ve been discovering a lot of previously overlooked shots that are quickly becoming favorites; this one taken by Ted Allan for Suzy (1936) is so impossibly beautiful. The tenderness of her face and the composition of the image remind me almost of a pre-Raphaelite beauty. Another thing that makes this image special is she … Continue reading A Simple Portrait of Jean Harlow: Inside and Out
Harlow Heaven 