In case you're a fresh initiate here (or simply haven't been paying attention---that's fine), you may have noticed I am constantly pointing out frocks, frills, garters, and whatever else caught on in early film fashion for more than five minutes. I reckon I’ll name the activity like the sport it is---and the term ‘frockspotting’ was born. … Continue reading Frockspotting: From Jean Harlow to Ten Cents a Dance (1931)
Tag: 1931
From My Collection: Harlow by William Fraker (1931)
From my collection: Jean Harlow poses on a streetcar in a Columbia publicity photo for Three Wise Girls (1932), taken in October of 1931 by William A. Fraker. I did a little digital cleanup (took off some dark spots, etc.) on this one, and I’m very happy with how clear this picture is in general. … Continue reading From My Collection: Harlow by William Fraker (1931)
Harlow in Hessercolor
Jean Harlow photographed using a resplendent early color process by Edwin Bower Hesser, aptly named “Hessercolor”, 1931: Hessercolor, another tricolor process, first got popular this same year (1931). It was in decline by the time Kodachrome took over after its introduction in 1935. The artsy “glazed” quality you see here was desirable for a little … Continue reading Harlow in Hessercolor
Jean Harlow’s 1931-2 Horoscope
A few weeks ago I was scrolling through eBay, as one does, and came across a delectable vintage magazine title I’d never seen before. Screen Stars’ Horoscopes, the cover read, with an even better byline—And Portraits! The year: 1931. As a classic film fan that loves the thirties and dabbles semi-seriously with astrology, how could … Continue reading Jean Harlow’s 1931-2 Horoscope
Harlow in NYC, 1931
December 15, 1931: Jean Harlow is photographed with her luggage after her arrival in New York City, fresh from Kansas City in order to carry out her most recent string of personal appearance tours. Harlow arrived the night of the fourteenth to start engagements at various movie palaces for about a week before moving on … Continue reading Harlow in NYC, 1931
Harlow as Kansas City Kitty (1931)
Today in Harlow History, December 8, 1931: 89 years ago today, Jean Harlow made the rounds in her hometown, Kansas City, Missouri (accompanied by mother and stepfather) at the very beginning of her East Coast personal appearance tour. Shown here at the Hotel Baltimore: She left LA for Missouri on December 6, two days after … Continue reading Harlow as Kansas City Kitty (1931)
Release the Horned Toads!
July 11, 1931: Eighty nine years ago today, Jean visits one of her regular haunts, The Ambassador Hotel, to publicize a quaint fundraising event— an early horned toad derby! Harlow is shown raising the barrier for the race finale below. The toads were given names similar to those of their racing horse counterparts. Some of … Continue reading Release the Horned Toads!
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
Harlow as Kansas City Kitty (1931, part 1)
I have myriads of favorite Harlow portraits, as we all do. This is one of them. Jean looks impossibly angelic as she’s candidly photographed with a bouquet of flowers on December 8, 1931. Image courtesy of the Kansas City Public Library. On this day, Jean and her mother had been invited to lunch with some … Continue reading Harlow as Kansas City Kitty (1931, part 1)
The Strangest Things “Turnip”
Sorry for that title, I really am. Anyway, perusing Newspapers this morning I did a random search for Jean and found something totally new to me in every way. Mr. Hauser was described as a revered "physiological chemist", but he was really more of a food faddist when we look back at his work. Considering … Continue reading The Strangest Things “Turnip”
