94 years ago in Harlow History, October 19, 1932: Solemn and sad-eyed (but still beautiful) Jean Harlow makes a modest appearance in probate court following her husband Paul Bern’s death the previous month. Here, she was named executrix of his estate. At least the last photograph was taken by Frank Bentley (photo and accompanying credit … Continue reading Harlow, Executrix
Tag: 1932
The Constant Question of Paul Bern
94 years ago today in Harlow History, September 5, 1932: The body of Jean Harlow’s second husband, MGM producer Paul Bern, is found inside their shared Easton Drive home. Butler John Carmichael made the grim discovery in the dressing room of the master bedroom; the situation would then be irreversibly tampered with by the Studio, … Continue reading The Constant Question of Paul Bern
Inside Jean Harlow’s “Platinum Palace”
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 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)
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
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
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 at Loew’s State with RED-HEADED WOMAN, 1932
June 24, 1932 saw the world premiere of Red-Headed Woman at Loew's State on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles; the film went into general release the very next day, and the rest is history. The movie house where Red-Headed Woman saw its premiere, pictured in its salad years and recently. Photographs courtesy of USC and … Continue reading Harlow at Loew’s State with RED-HEADED WOMAN, 1932
Harlow in the Kitchen With Sweets … and Beets!
Harlow’s kitchen capabilities were well known by the time she had established herself at MGM, as many cast and crew could tell you, but that wasn’t exactly the case early on. The public were primarily focused on Harlow’s hair; as they would be until she broke into better roles later that same year. One of … Continue reading Harlow in the Kitchen With Sweets … and Beets!
