Apparently when this debuted it was a box office dud. And, apparently Jean Harlow was offended because she thought the studio deliberately put parallels into the script that mirrored her tragic marriage to a man who died under suspicious circumstances (even today, no one seems exactly sure what happened to her husband, Paul Bern). What is obvious is that Harlow should have been offended as the script clearly takes advantage of Bern's death. Now if the film had come out shortly after this tragedy, perhaps the studio could have been excused as they might have been able to claim that they made such a film to help Harlow's image (after all, like the character in the film, the public COULD have blamed Harlow for his death). But, with a three year gap between them, it's obvious they were just trying to exploit the tragedy for ticket sales--and I am surprised that apparently William Powell was able to convince Harlow to play this part. Frankly, based on the end results, I think she should have faced suspension and refused! Now this isn't because all the film is bad--but the ending is just god-awful and makes the entire film come off as rather seedy and stupid.
It's important to note that after the film was completed, a total idiot at the studio thought they should add some song and dance numbers--even though Harlow was incapable of doing either--especially sing. Since she couldn't sing, they dubbed another's voice and the end result is, without a doubt, the WORST job of dubbing in the history of Hollywood. At first, I really did think that they deliberately did it badly as a parody--but later, at the end, is a supposedly poignant moment and once again, her lips aren't even close to being in sync and the voice is so obviously another's. Heck, had they used Paul Robson's voice, I don't it would have come off much worse!! As far as the story goes, the first 90% of the film (aside from the singing and dancing) isn't bad even if it is taking full advantage of the Bern tragedy (as well as the death Libby Holman's husband--which is even closer to the plot of this film than the Harlow/Bern death). Harlow plays an actress who is very much like herself. When she meets a rich society guy (Franchot Tone), they fall in love and soon marry--much to the consternation of her agent (William Powell--who really was in love with Harlow in real life). However, things are not rosy, as Tone's father and many society folk don't accept a common actress. But, Harlow handles it very well and soon the society swells warm up to her. However, Tone is a complete loser and spends all his time drinking and moping--and regretting marrying Harlow. Instead, he thinks back to his old fiancée (Rosalind Russell) and wishes he'd married her. Russell is classy and from an old established family--and Tone seems much more concerned about this than whether or not his wife loves or respects him. Eventually, Tone becomes so depressed that he kills himself (just like Holman and Harlow's husbands). And, the rich society swells turn on Harlow even though she is practically angelic in how she handles this. All this leads to her returning to the stage and a completely horrible ending that simply made me cringe.
The bottom line is that the actors try their best but the script is horrid (in spots) and the singing is cringe-worthy. It's sad, as without the terrible ending and singing, I would have given this one a 7. As it is, 4 is probably a bit charitable. Worth seeing because it's so awful and exploitative but not a good film by any standard.
It's important to note that after the film was completed, a total idiot at the studio thought they should add some song and dance numbers--even though Harlow was incapable of doing either--especially sing. Since she couldn't sing, they dubbed another's voice and the end result is, without a doubt, the WORST job of dubbing in the history of Hollywood. At first, I really did think that they deliberately did it badly as a parody--but later, at the end, is a supposedly poignant moment and once again, her lips aren't even close to being in sync and the voice is so obviously another's. Heck, had they used Paul Robson's voice, I don't it would have come off much worse!! As far as the story goes, the first 90% of the film (aside from the singing and dancing) isn't bad even if it is taking full advantage of the Bern tragedy (as well as the death Libby Holman's husband--which is even closer to the plot of this film than the Harlow/Bern death). Harlow plays an actress who is very much like herself. When she meets a rich society guy (Franchot Tone), they fall in love and soon marry--much to the consternation of her agent (William Powell--who really was in love with Harlow in real life). However, things are not rosy, as Tone's father and many society folk don't accept a common actress. But, Harlow handles it very well and soon the society swells warm up to her. However, Tone is a complete loser and spends all his time drinking and moping--and regretting marrying Harlow. Instead, he thinks back to his old fiancée (Rosalind Russell) and wishes he'd married her. Russell is classy and from an old established family--and Tone seems much more concerned about this than whether or not his wife loves or respects him. Eventually, Tone becomes so depressed that he kills himself (just like Holman and Harlow's husbands). And, the rich society swells turn on Harlow even though she is practically angelic in how she handles this. All this leads to her returning to the stage and a completely horrible ending that simply made me cringe.
The bottom line is that the actors try their best but the script is horrid (in spots) and the singing is cringe-worthy. It's sad, as without the terrible ending and singing, I would have given this one a 7. As it is, 4 is probably a bit charitable. Worth seeing because it's so awful and exploitative but not a good film by any standard.