Kevin Maher is a classic film blogger at Top 10 Film Lists He also programs and presents classic films at local theaters. The Pre-Code era (1930-1934) and Film Noir are his 2 favorite kinds of movies.
1. Red Dust (Blu-ray)
Harlow's performance, filmed while she went through personal tragedy, is a revelation. A mixture of humor, bravado and insecurity also makes this her best performance. Her outstanding chemistry with Gable adds depth and pathos as well.
2. Dinner at Eight (Blu-ray)
Harlow steals the show as a gold digging wife who is smarter than she initially appears. Toying with her rough and uncultured personae only adds to the humor in her performance and her knowing line readings layer the character beautifully.
3. Red Headed Woman (1932) Available in ForbiddenHollywood Vol. 1
A standard bearer of Pre-Code steaminess! If sleeping your way to the top were a real occupation Harlow almost had the market cornered. While she always knows what she's doing, her performance is a masterclass in sly looks, gestures and knowings glances.
4. Bombshell (DVD)
The title says it all! Harlow's bombshell looks and personae are a publicity man's dream and the film doesn't disappoint.
5. Wife vs. Secretary (Blu-ray)
Again paired with Clark Gable and co-starring Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy, Wife vs. Secretary has Harlow playing against type as a dutiful secretary trying to prove her bosses fidelity. Her ability to go toe to tow with industry heavyweights proves that she's more than just a pretty face. She had chops!
6. Libeled Lady (Blu-ray)
Paired with Spencer Tracy again, Harlow mixes it up with romantic super couple Myrna Loy & William Powell (The Thin Man Series) in a effort to save her fiance's newspaper from a libel suit. Harlow, always willing to play dumb to outsmart the men around her, is perfectly cast.
7. Platinum Blonde (DVD)
Early proof that Harlow could play comedy extremely well, director Frank Capra takes full advantage her looks, voice and attitude to create a memorable character, not just the pretty face beneath the platinum hair!
8. China Seas (DVD)
Adventure on the high seas as the abrasive captain of a steamer transporting gold bullion defends his ship from ruthless pirates. Clark Gable stars as the captain and Harlow as a professional entertainer who loves him. Once again, she's smarter than the men around her, more savvy, and certainly ready to take action to save the day.
9. Reckless (DVD)
"Harlow Sings!" was a promotional tagline for this wonderfully entertaining love triangle, giving the talented Harlow another avenue to stretch her acting and performance chops. Mixing in a little melodrama to the screwball concept certainly helped add to Harlow's allure.
10. Hold Your Man (DVD)
Famous for Harlow appearing in a suds-filled bathtub, Hold You Man was the 3rd of 6 pairings of Harlow with Clark Gable. The chemistry between the two is only bettered in Red Dust, but this performance offers more humor and entertaining line readings.
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