Reckless

Jean Harlow starred in Reckless, a 1935 directed by Victor Fleming, co-starring William Powell and Franchot tone. Fleming, who directed both Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, doesn't quite have a handle on this one, which is awkwardly paced and doesn't know if it's a comedy or a tragedy.

Harlow plays a Broadway star who has a doting grandmother (May Robson) and a platonic friend, Powell, who plays the usual Powell character--witty, urbane, and a bit decadent. He is in love with her, but can't bring himself to propose. Meanwhile, a very rich guy (Tone), connives to meet Harlow by buying out an entire one of her shows so he is the only spectator. They begin a whirlwind courtship and elope, much to Powell's chagrin.

But Tone's upper crust father does not approve, especially since Tone broke an engagement with a fellow one-percenter, Rosalind Russell. After they are married, Tone reveals that he is something of a manic depressive.

Harlow, who usually played brassy women, is too demure here, without a great deal of wit. Powell carries the full load of the picture, along with Nat Pendleton and Ted Healy, his dumb buy loyal right-hand men. When the two halves of the cast meet, a society woman asks Pendleton if he's a gangster. "No, I gave that up after I got out of Sing-Sing." The woman responds delightedly, "Oh, you've been to Sing-Sing!"

The film takes a dark turn that must have tough for Harlow, because she had a husband who killed himself (Paul Bern). She also has her voice dubbed for the singing and a stunt double used for the dancing (you can actually notice the cut when the close-up goes to her feet and they're not hers).

Powell and Harlow were engaged when she died, but made better pictures together. Watch Libeled Lady instead.