Harlow: The Blonde Bombshell (1993)

Harlow: The Blonde Bombshell Poster

Actress Sharon Stone hosts this documentary about the life and career of 1930s sex symbol Jean Harlow. Included are clips from many of her films, photos and stories about her life before she became a movie star, and accounts of her troubled personal life, including a domineering mother, the failure of her three marriages and the suicide of her second husband.

Overview
"Harlow: The Blonde Bombshell" is a 1993 documentary checking out the life and profession of the famous Hollywood actress Jean Harlow. The movie is part of a series of biographical documentaries by Turner Classic Movies (TCM) that take a look at the lives of prominent figures in the world of movie-making. Through captivating scenes from Harlow's movies, uncommon images, archive video footage, and interviews with people who understood her personally, the motion picture offers an intimate take a look at one of the earliest sex object of Hollywood.

Early Years and Rise to Stardom
The movie depicts Harlow's early, challenging years as a young girl growing up in Kansas City. It follows her journey to Hollywood, initially just to look after her ailing grandpa, however right after, she was all of a sudden discovered, setting the phase for a flashing career. The documentary also checks out how Harlow got her huge break in 1930, when Howard Hughes chose her for his epic plane war movie, "Hell's Angels" - a film that would escalate Harlow to popularity and develop her as the original "Blonde Bombshell".

Hollywood Success
"Harlow: The Blonde Bombshell" showcases Harlow's meteoric increase to fame and the respected profession she had regardless of its brevity. It includes remarkable insights into her most renowned roles, including turns in "Dinner at Eight", "Bombshell" and "Red Dust", displaying her versatility as a starlet. Although Harlow was frequently typecast as a seductress, this documentary clarifies her acting prowess, showing she was much more than the manipulative vixen characters she often represented.

Personal Struggles and Untimely Death
Moreover, this film doesn't shy away from Harlow's personal struggles. It exposes her distressed relationships, her rocky marriage with Paul Bern who passed away under mysterious circumstances, and her last, unstable union with Harold Rosson. The documentary likewise explores the illness Harlow faced, discussing how her profession was tragically cut short when she died at the age of 26 from kidney failure.

Harlow's Legacy
Regardless of her unforeseen and unforeseen death, Harlow left an indelible mark on Hollywood. The documentary highlights Harlow's influence on successive generations-- from Marilyn Monroe to Madonna. It paints a vivid photo of the actress' unrivaled talent and timeless allure, underscoring how she broke social standards and pressed the boundaries for females in Hollywood.

"Bombshell: The Blonde Bombshell" ends on a poignant note, talking about Harlow's last film, "Saratoga", which needed to be finished with a body double following her abrupt death. It remarkably encapsulates her spirit, stressing how her charm and talent immortalized her as a true icon of Hollywood's Golden Age.

Conclusion
"Harlow: The Blonde Bombshell", using a wealth of archival material and personal anecdotes, supplies a complete and fascinating understanding of Jean Harlow's life. The film records the disaster and triumph of a woman who was born to be a star, lived an interesting yet awful life, and whose presence continues to echo through Hollywood. It is an excellent tribute to the actress and a must-watch for fans of classic movie theater and Harlow's sustaining fame.

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