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”
Tag: 1933
Harlow History at the Cocoanut Grove, June 1933
93 years ago today in Harlow History, June 3, 1933: Jean Harlow attends the West Coast opening of Abe Lyman’s orchestra at the Cocoanut Grove with new beau, cinematographer Harold Rosson, who was pointed out as Harlow’s date to the event by the LA Times on the 4th. “Hal Rosson’s apparently ‘making time’ with Jean … Continue reading Harlow History at the Cocoanut Grove, June 1933
Jean Harlow’s Beverly Glen Sunroom (1934)
Jean Harlow photographed in the sunroom inside her Beverly Glen Mansion circa late 1933 or early 1934: The Detroit Free-Press, July 1934 Seldom talked about, this relaxed, all-white space was profiled by Detroit Free-Press columnist Aileen Spafford in July 1934: “Jean Harlow calls her new home ‘Hollywood’s White House’—not that she has any political inclinations, … Continue reading Jean Harlow’s Beverly Glen Sunroom (1934)
From My Collection: A Letter From Maydelle Jewell
Meant to share this letter from my collection written by one of Harlow’s secretaries, Maydelle Jewell, while the actress was recuperating from appendicitis in October 1933. Signed October 25, just five days before Harlow was released from Good Samaritan. Stamp close-up You don’t see Maydelle’s signature very often, as she was only briefly employed, so … Continue reading From My Collection: A Letter From Maydelle Jewell
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
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
Harlow and Cukor
Born on this day: George Cukor (July 7, 1899 — January 24, 1983), a venerable contributor to the world of the Woman’s Picture who helped Jean Harlow breathe life into Kitty Packard, her iconic role in his Dinner at Eight (1933). Shown here on the set together in two photos; one posing with Harlow on … Continue reading Harlow and Cukor
Harlow History: Harlow at Home in Kansas City (June 1933)
89 years ago today, June 21, 1933: Jean Harlow, recently returned home to Kansas City, Missouri, to visit her grandparents, poses with neighborhood children on the porch of her grandparents’ home at 2304 N. 12th St. Harlow had just completed a visit to the ‘33 Chicago World’s Fair, “Century of Progress”. These children were identified … Continue reading Harlow History: Harlow at Home in Kansas City (June 1933)
Studio “Candids”, 1933
A pair of “candids” (i.e. obviously posed pictures) of a lovely Jean Harlow taking a stroll on the MGM lot, 1933. A creature of habit, she’s yet again wearing a dress you can spot multiple times in different portraits from this era, as well as her usual tennis shoes. (Apparently Louis B. Mayer was … Continue reading Studio “Candids”, 1933
Today in Harlow History: Uh Oh’s and Eskimos
Naturally, I’m known for my horribly cheesy post titles, so that’s how we’ll start out today’s Harlow History post. Let’s get crackin’: This day in Harlow History, April 2, 1933: at the tail end of her mourning period following the death of Paul Bern, Jean Harlow attends a Hollywood party at director Woody Van Dyke’s … Continue reading Today in Harlow History: Uh Oh’s and Eskimos
