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Jean Harlow: Roles
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As author Irving Schulman tells it in his 1964 book Harlow, Jean's co-stars Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy didn't see anything striking about her when she was in their feature Double Whoopee. She just kind of fit the bill with nothing extra to give the audience but an incredible shock of blonde hair, that she always insisted was natural and a nice figure. It was the desperation that led her would-be agent, Arthur Landau to find her in the nick of time to fill the roll of Helen in Howard Hughes 1930 WWI extravaganza Hell's Angels. With the promise of good food and escape from her opportunist stepfather, she reached out for an opportunity to be on her own and financially independent. It took some couching from Arthur, a successful tour of the country for Angels, and a few worthy roles under her belt to finally bring her into the respectful eyes of a co-ed audience.
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Concerned about Harlow's status, Hughes sent her on a personal appearance tour of the East Coast in late 1931. To the surprise of many, especially Harlow herself, she packed every theatre she appeared in, often appearing multiple nights in one venue. Despite critical assailment and poor roles, Harlow's popularity and following was large and growing, to the extent that the tour was extended through early 1932. Many of Harlow's female fans were dyeing their hair platinum to match hers. To capitalize on this craze, Hughes' team organized a series of "Platinum Blonde" clubs across the nation, with a prize of $10,000 to any beautician that could match Harlow's shade.
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The advent of sound in films brought about Harlow's big break at the age of 18. Greta Nissen, the actress hired for Howard Hughes' Hells Angels, had a Swedish accent. When the film had to be re-formatted from silent to talkie, Nissen had to be replaced --enter Jean Harlow. Her confidence grew with each successive role until her comedic talent was noted by studio executives and finally utilized. No one could throw a hilarious huffing and puffing, dish throwing, on-screen tantrum like Harlow.
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Nolan Miller custom designed cream colored lace gown, worn by Lynley in her role as film starlet Jean Harlow in the film "Harlow". An attractive dress which features an elaborate pearl and bead design along the upper portion and down through the sleeves.
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