Libeled Lady

Libeled Lady is 1936 screwball comedy directed by Jack Conway with a wonderful, legendary foursome of stars: Jean Harlow, Spencer Tracy, Myrna Loy, and William Powell. It bounces along effortlessly, with a criss-cross of emotional ties and some wonderful slapstick.

The film begins when the Evening Star, a New York newspaper, publishes an incorrect story about a socialite (Loy) being a homewrecker. She and her very rich father (Walter Connolly) sue for libel--$5 million (87 million in today's money). The paper's editor, Tracy, scrambles to bring back a former reporter of his (Powell) to ruin her case. Meanwhile, Tracy's long suffering fiancee (Harlow), endures another postponed wedding.

Powell ends up in a sham marriage with Harlow (volunteered by Tracy) and endeavors to catch Loy alone so a detective can burst in and claim she's stealing a husband. But of course things don't quite go as they planned. Loy is more formidable than Powell imagines, and he falls in love with her. Harlow also falls in love with him, as he shows more attention to her than Tracy. Zaniness ensues.

Libeled Lady was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. It combines zippy dialogue, such as when Tracy shouts: "She may be his wife, but she's engaged to me!" and pratfalls, including a great sequence when Powell tries to catch a fish.

At the time, Harlow and Powell were an item, and it's rumored that Loy and Tracy were having an affair. Must have made for interesting days on the set.