4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on October 21, 2018

“It’s like a giraffe marrying a monkey!” ~ Conroy The nucleus of Capra regulars are all present and accounted for including a script adaptation by Jo Swerling and dialogue by Robert Riskin. The cast, on the other hand, is an interesting array of talents that simultaneously proves   read more

Love Letters to Old Hollywood Posted by Michaela on February 4, 2015

When I heard about Platinum Blonde, I was intrigued. Jean Harlow directed by Frank Capra in a pre-Code comedy? Yes, please! But then I actually saw the film. I was expecting Harlow to be her typical self—brassy, seductive, funny, gorgeous… So, I was confused when it turned out that Jean   read more

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on January 1, 2015

Loretta Young’s birth date is January 6th, and TCM is celebrating the occasion by showing a string of films starring this talented and lovely actress, including such pre-Code gems as Big Business Girl (1931), They Call It Sin (1932), Weekend Marriage (1932), and Employees’ Entrance (1933). In fact,   read more

Shadows and Satin Posted by shadowsandsatin on January 1, 2015

Loretta Young’s birth date is January 6th, and TCM is celebrating the occasion by showing a string of films starring this talented and lovely actress, including such pre-Code gems as Big Business Girl (1931), They Call It Sin (1932), Weekend Marriage (1932), and Employees’ Entrance (1933). In fact,   read more

Lady Eve's Reel Life Posted by The Lady Eve on June 25, 2014

From June 26 - 28, in honor of the 90th anniversary of the founding of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Silver Scenes is hosting the MGM Blogathon. This post, originally published in 2011, has been updated and re-published as my contribution for the blogathon. Click here for links to all participating blogs.   read more

Lady Eve's Reel Life Posted by The Lady Eve on June 25, 2014

From June 26 - 28, in honor of the 90th anniversary of the founding of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Silver Scenes is hosting the MGM Blogathon. This post, originally published in 2011, has been updated and re-published as my contribution for the blogathon. Click here for links to all participating blogs.   read more

Lady Eve's Reel Life Posted by The Lady Eve on June 25, 2014

From June 26 - 28, in honor of the 90th anniversary of the founding of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Silver Scenes is hosting the MGM Blogathon. This post, originally published in 2011, has been updated and re-published as my contribution for the blogathon. Click here for links to all participating blogs.   read more

Noir and Chick Flicks Posted by Dawn Sample on January 4, 2013

Platinum Blonde (1931). A romantic/comedy. Cast Jean Harlow, Robert Williams, and Loretta Young. The film was directed by Frank Capra. The film was Williams's last screen appearance.. he died of appendicitis three days after the film's October 31 release. Stew Smith, works as a reporter for the   read more

Hollywood Revue Posted by Angela on November 22, 2012

When a showgirl sues Michael Schuyler (Donald Dillaway), part of a very prominent social family, for breach of promise, reporter Stew Smith (Robert Williams) is sent to cover the story.  The Schuyler family desperately wants to keep the scandal out of the papers, so they try bribing the reporters to   read more

The Man on the Flying Trapeze Posted by David on June 28, 2012

Give Frank Capra credit -- once the guy found a formula, he stuck with it. Specifically -- an honorable man, pure at heart, up against powerful and/or wealthy forces out to destroy or at least ostracize him. You can apply it to almost any Capra film, from "Mr. Smith Goes...   read more

The Man on the Flying Trapeze Posted by David on June 28, 2012

Give Frank Capra credit -- once the guy found a formula, he stuck with it. Specifically -- an honorable man, pure at heart, up against powerful and/or wealthy forces out to destroy or at least ostracize him. You can apply it to almost any Capra film, from "Mr. Smith Goes...   read more

GlamAmor Posted by on March 8, 2012

The 1920s and 1930s have been all the rage this season as we've seen in collections from Ralph Lauren and others I will continue to share on GlamAmor. Trends in hair styles are no exception and almost always follow whatever fashion comes down the designer runways. Bright blonde, fingerwaves, and...   read more

Journeys in Classic Film Posted by Kristen on March 2, 2012

Our second Jean Harlow film greatly expands her character while making her a total bitch!  This is one of director Frank Capra’s lesser known films and that’s probably because it’s far too long, weirdly anti-female while still retaining that “small man of ethic” story t   read more

MacGuffin Movies Posted by RBuccicone on April 19, 2011

Platinum Blonde (1931)      Jean Harlow essentially perfected a character for herself, one that perhaps immoral by the standards of her day, was always endearing. She was the blonde, usually moderate- to low-income gal who would get her man by any means. She had sass and bared her sexuality shamele   read more

Comet Over Hollywood Posted by Jnpickens on April 1, 2011

Hollywood's original platinum blonde Before Ginger Rogers, young Bette Davis and later Marilyn Monroe dyed their hair platinum blonde, Jean Harlow was the first.  Robert Osborne said in March “Now Playing” article that it’s hard to say anyone is the first: “Since the mo   read more

Lady Eve's Reel Life Posted by The Lady Eve on February 28, 2011

It was her trademark, her calling card and, in 1931, the name of a film for which she received third billing. Platinum Blonde had originally been intended as a vehicle for top-billed star Loretta Young but, by the time it was released, the film's title had changed and changed again...   read more

Lady Eve's Reel Life Posted by The Lady Eve on February 28, 2011

It was her trademark, her calling card and, in 1931, the name of a film for which she received third billing. Platinum Blonde had originally been intended as a vehicle for top-billed star Loretta Young but, by the time it was released, the film's title had changed and changed again...   read more

Lady Eve's Reel Life Posted by The Lady Eve on February 28, 2011

It was her trademark, her calling card and, in 1931, the name of a film for which she received third billing. Platinum Blonde had originally been intended as a vehicle for top-billed star Loretta Young but, by the time it was released, the film's title had changed and changed again...   read more

True Classics Posted by Brandie on February 27, 2011

Tomorrow marks the start of the Jean Harlow Blogathon, hosted by the Kitty Packard Pictorial! We are so excited to be participating in this event to celebrate the centenary of one of the most gorgeous, talented, and truly funny actresses to ever come out of Hollywood. Harlow’s birthday is Thur   read more

Movie Classics Posted by Judy on September 9, 2008

Jean Harlow and Robert Williams By a pure fluke, I watched The Golden Arrow (1936), starring Bette Davis and Platinum Blonde (1931), starring Jean Harlow, on successive days (a couple of weeks ago now, so my memories are already starting to fade). I was startled by how similar the plots...   read more