Harlow (Paramount film)

Harlow
Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1965; 61 years ago
Founder	Joseph E. Levine (producer)
Headquarters	Los Angeles, United States
Products	Biographical drama film
Parent	Paramount Pictures

Harlow is a 1965 American biographical drama film directed by Gordon Douglas, depicting the life of the film icon Jean Harlow. The lead role is portrayed by Carroll Baker, supported by performances from Raf Vallone, Red Buttons, Angela Lansbury, Peter Lawford, Mike Connors, Martin Balsam, and Leslie Nielsen.

The production was overseen by Joseph E. Levine, who revealed the project in late 1964. Principal photography commenced in February 1965, coinciding with the shooting of another Harlow biographical picture of the same name produced by the Magna Corporation featuring Carol Lynley. Harlow was released through Paramount Pictures in June 1965, shortly following the debut of the Magna version. Although it did not achieve significant box office success, the film introduced the popular tune "Girl Talk" composed by Neal Hefti. Reviews were varied; nevertheless, Baker’s interpretation of Harlow along with the film’s production design, set pieces, and cinematography were commended. Additionally, Red Buttons received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 23rd Golden Globe Awards.

Plot

Jean Harlow begins her journey as a struggling extra, supporting her demanding stepfather Marino and a loving but oblivious mother. With assistance from her agent Arthur Landau, she secures a contract with studio head Richard Manley, modeled after Howard Hughes. Her debut film under Manley’s studio is poorly received, causing her career to stall.

When Manley tries to seduce her and she rejects him, her contract is terminated—a decision orchestrated by Landau to free her from Manley’s control. Landau then arranges for her to sign with Majestic Studios, where her career gains momentum.

Despite pressure from the studio to wed another star, Harlow marries the sophisticated yet impotent Paul Bern, who soon takes his own life. The combined effects of Bern’s suicide and professional hardships lead Harlow through failed romances and struggles with alcoholism, culminating in her death from pneumonia at age 26.

Development

The concept of a motion picture about Jean Harlow dates back to the 1950s, with several actresses such as Cleo Moore and Jayne Mansfield linked to stalled projects. In 1962, Fox intended to produce an elaborate Harlow biopic starring Marilyn Monroe, but following Monroe's death, the rights were transferred to Paramount Pictures. Produced by Embassy Pictures and starring Carroll Baker, the film was officially announced by producer Joseph E. Levine on August 31, 1964.

Drawing partially from Irving Shulman’s sensational biography Harlow: An Intimate Biography, Paramount’s Harlow presents a melodramatic narrative emphasizing her turbulent marriages. Levine purchased the rights for $100,000. Prior to this role, Baker had played a fictionalized version of Harlow in The Carpetbaggers, also produced by Levine and distributed by Paramount.

Casting

During casting, Carroll Baker found herself in conflict with producer and manager Joseph E. Levine. She had verbally agreed to star in a different Harlow biopic for Columbia Pictures, which angered Levine who wanted her for his Paramount version. After Columbia’s studio head departed, Baker's commitment was voided, leading Levine to claim she violated her Paramount contract. This resulted in Columbia canceling their project.

To persuade Baker to join his production, Levine presented her with a platinum diamond necklace as a conciliatory gift. Reflecting later on this gesture, Baker expressed ambivalence about exchanging personal dignity for material rewards and contributing to stereotypes regarding women's worth.

Filming

Principal photography for Harlow commenced on February 24, 1965, in Los Angeles, with supplementary footage captured in Malibu. Director Gordon Douglas remarked that although lead actress Baker faced physical and emotional challenges during the shoot, she still delivered a compelling performance. To meet Paramount's target release date of June 1965, Baker maintained a rigorous seven-day workweek.

Supporting cast members also extended their efforts to accelerate production: Angela Lansbury consistently arrived two hours ahead for makeup sessions, Red Buttons forewent lunch breaks, and Peter Lawford stayed late rehearsing with Baker for scenes scheduled the following day.

Marketing

Paramount allocated $150,000 toward an extensive promotional campaign for Harlow, aiming to distinguish it from the competing Magna film. Producer Levine spearheaded an "Operation Harlow" initiative that included personal appearances, exhibitor previews, advance screenings, and audience contests designed to generate buzz.

The film debuted regionally on June 23, 1965, followed by a premiere in New York City on July 21 and a Los Angeles opening on August 11.

Home media

Olive Films issued Harlow on DVD for Region 1 in the United States on September 28, 2010, and later re-released it on Blu-ray on July 23, 2013.

Box office

In North America, Harlow achieved rental earnings totaling $3.4 million across the United States and Canada.

Critical response

Variety characterized the production as "handsomely mounted," commending Carroll Baker as a "fairly reasonable facsimile" of Jean Harlow and noting strong supporting performances from Angela Lansbury and Raf Vallone. Dick Banks of The Charlotte Observer found fault with Peter Lawford's acting but considered this version superior to Magna's adaptation, largely due to Baker's portrayal. Similarly, the Birmingham Post-Herald preferred this film over the earlier hastily produced Magna version, praising its use of Technicolor, period accuracy, and acting.

On the other hand, Bruce Dunning from the Tampa Bay Times criticized the film for taking "unbelievable liberties" with Harlow's biography and described Baker's performance as "sexless." Ben Kern of the Minnesota Star Tribune acknowledged certain dramatic oversimplifications but praised the film’s technical merits in set design, costume authenticity, and color quality. He also lauded Baker for infusing the role with "sympathy, sincerity and her own beauty" without resorting to imitation.

Accolades

Institution	Year	Category	Recipient	Result
Golden Globe Awards	1966	Best Supporting Actor	Red Buttons	Template:Nom

Sources

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