Libeled Lady
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Movie Reviews of Libeled Lady
Movie Review: Harlow Shines in a Comedy Gem
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie was underrated for many years, and even those who love screwball comedy would generally tell you this was a second-tier movie compared to MY MAN GODFREY or EASY LIVING or any number of Irene Dunne classics she made at Columbia. Even at the time of release it was a slight box office disappointment, and marked the end of so-called "Four Star" comedies at MGM. Henceforward the bosses would not, they vowed, waste the salaries of 4 big stars on something not guaranteed to bring in four times the income. Cynics claimed that the US mass public did not understand the word "Libeled" and thus they shied away from going to see a movie that had such a title.
However, in recent years the reputation of this film has skyrocketed, and it has become as beloved and necessary as most of its once powerful rivals, even if it still strains at the coattails of the inimitable BRINGING UP BABY. It's simply less surrealistic and its plot, though convoluted, at all times makes at least a kind of dramatic sense. Jean Harlow plays Gladys, a secretary whose boss has put off marrying her one too many times. Finally, the worm is turning with a vengeance! It's the same kind of slow-burning part that won Vivian Blaine a lot of eclat as Adelaide in GUYS AND DOLLS, but without the music, and Harlow did it first and perhaps even better. Judy Holliday also must have watched LIBELED LADY also, because many of Judy's tricks were taken from Harlow as Gladys. It's true, as some reviewers have mentioned, that Harlow looks pretty beat up for 25 (signs of kidney disease) but you can see why William Powell, her co-star here, fell in love with her in real life, she's tough-talking, vulnerable, real, with a shining spirit underneath. Spencer Tracy plays the man who breaks her heart, Warren, the editor of a NYC paper that's come to flirt with tabloid scandals and has published an expose of Connie Allenbury as a mantrap--a "husband stealer," scream the headlines in 48 pt type. Only problem is, it's just not true. Spencer Tracy gets a brainstorm and he makes it true--well, sort of.
The story is complicated and yet, getting there is just as much fun as being there. One wonders how the actors managed to keep a straight face through much of their exaggerated, ridiculous dialogue with all the slammbang plot twists and indeed, once or twice, it looks like Tracy is cracking himself up when he's supposed to be angry, as though he just couldn't keep from chuckling aloud. You will too, as you watch this 1930s gem.
Movie Review: Outrageously Funny!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is another great screwball comedy (1936) set during the great depression, casting some of the best performers of that time. Having nominated by the Academy in the best picture category, the movie is riveting and you will be glued from beginning to end due to the offbeat nature of the comedy. The story is a pure farce comedy, when the daughter of an aristocratic family Connie Allenbury (Myrna Loy) is falsely accused by the New York Evening Star newspaper of breaking up a marriage; she sues the newspaper for libel for five million dollars. This couldn't come at a worst time when the chief editor, Warren Haggerty (Spencer Tracy) is in the midst of marrying his fiancée, Gladys Benton (Jean Harlow). In order to save his job and the newspaper, Haggerty postpones his wedding and get into the business of saving the newspaper from the law suit. He comes with a zany idea of hiring a former reporter Bill Chandler (William Powell) to convince Connie Allenbury to withdraw the law suit against the newspaper. The plot involves fictions wedding of Bill Chandler to his fiancée Gladys who is unwilling to go along with the idea but reluctantly accepts that, and then Chandler use "good opportunities" to meet Connie Allenbury, romance her without telling that he is already married. When the friendship blossoms into full romance then at appropriate moment Gladys to appear on the scene and charge Connie for breaking her marriage to Chandler. The plan goes awry and it is hilarious that Connie almost comes to know the scheme but with the ingenuity of Bill Chandler the disaster is averted. Finally Connie will agree to withdraw the lawsuit but only after several mishaps. Jean Harlow, Spencer Tracy and William Powell have offered great performances, and it is during this movie Jean Harlow and William Powell developed romantic interest. This movie was directed by Jack Conway who went on to make his next movie Saratoga casting Jean Harlow and Clark Gable. Jean Harlow is known to have collapsed on the sets of Saratoga, and later died at the age of 26. This is an excellent movie and I recommend it very highly.
1. Saratoga
Movie Review: Witty, romantic and at the same time hilarious
Summary: 5 Stars
Having watched Dinner at Eight and its bonus feature about the story of Jean Harlow, I am strongly urged to see Libeled Lady - just to watch another Jean Harlow performance and see how she succeeded in injecting a comic element into the movie. I am not a bit disappointed.
The movie, made in 1936, featured Jean Harlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy. Because of the star-studded cast, I am more attracted to the people more than the plot. They are all naturals, with impeccable comic timing.
In the first part of the movie, Jean Harlow stole the scenes with her longing and eagerness to be married to the newspaper man (Spencer Tracy). She was daring, bold and frank and would do anything for Tracy - even marrying William Powell as part of a plot to frame the rich socialite (Myrna Loy)and save Tracy's newspaper from bankruptcy in a libel suit. However, once William Powell took the mission of seducing Myrna Loy, one can't help applausing for his subtle, elegant way of stealing hearts of the lady (Myrna Loy) and her father (Walter Connolly)and even his "wife" (Jean Harlow). This gift of William Powell was revealed again in the Great Ziegfeld. Not everything is smooth in his ploy, however. Just watch his hilarious fishing scene which was one of the most entertaining I have seen. There was a deeply touching scene when Myrna Loy opened her heart to William Powell after a swim in the moonlight. It was unpretentious, geunine and revealed the real worth of the Myrna Loy-Wiliam Powell chemistry on the screen. Altogether THE couple of the 1930's made 14 films, the first one being the Thin Man. Off the screen, Jean Harlow and William Powell were a couple. And it was Willam Powell (not Spencer Tracy in the movie) whom Jean Harlow wanted to marry while he was hesitant to remarry so soon.
This is a perfect movie to demonstrate what superb performance the stars of the stars could deliver in an interesting plot revolving around just 5 characters. Jean Harlow's performance stood out but still could not outshine Myrna Loy, the Queen of Hollywood as voted by millions of people in a poll conducted by 53 newspapers. Don't miss it.
Movie Review: Yes!! This is my favorite screwball comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the best (if not THE best) pure screwball comedies of the 1930's. Next to the original Thin Man movie, Libeled Lady is my favorite Powell/Loy effort. This time, the magic chemistry of that oft-paired duo is enhanced by the box office-drawing talents of fellow mega-stars Spencer Tracy and Jean Harlow. The first shot of the movie celebrates this happy collaboration as the four top-drawer actors merrily, confidently stride arm-in-arm toward the camera.
The plot is convoluted. The Star has erroneously printed a story about heiress Connie Allenbury (Myrna Loy), portraying her as a marriage wrecker. Connie immediately files a 5 million dollar libel suit. Star newspaper editor Warren Haggerty (Spencer Tracy) counteracts by hiring on suave fellow newspaperman Bill Chandler (William Powell) to romance Connie and place her in a compromising position, thus negating the lawsuit. Haggerty convinces his harried, long-suffering fiancee Gladys Benton (Jean Harlow) to instead marry the bachelor Chandler as part of the scheme. Things get really tricky when Gladys falls for Chandler and Chandler falls for Connie, who eventually falls for Chandler. And Haggerty? He pretty much spends the movie just seething. Yet everything ends fairly well, even if there's still lingering confusion as to who is exactly married to whom.
Libeled Lady boasts mix-ups and complications galore and couples matching, cross-matching and mismatching. Sophisticated wit blends with full blown physical comedy. Delicious acting is laid in by four stars who, throughout their film careers, never ever lost their prime. Powell proves again his mastery of the confused double-take and, along with the wry, understated Myrna Loy, dominates the refined repartees. And representing the more lowbrow couple, Tracy supplies the blue collar bluster and Harlow the affronted looks. Walter Connolly as Connie's angling-loving father is simply wonderful. The intricate storyline is easy to follow, thanks to the clear helmsmanship of Jack Conway. With this cinematic venture, Hollywood certainly offered up to the viewing audience its most glamorous and most urbane of stars. I think it's brilliant stuff.
Movie Review: Brilliant!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you think some witty modern comedies are funny try this older stuff for a change--you might be converted! Plot is pretty straight up: scandalized rich girl (Myrna Loy) sues newspaper for false story (Spencer Tracy is editor and his endlessly stood-up fiancee is Jean Harlow). Tracy "contracts" former newspaper comrade (now enemy), William Powell, to seduce Loy and create a counter scandal so she'll drop the charges.
Give this to a modern film company and we kind of know what to expect, give it to a talented ensemble of the sort assembled here, add the natural chemistry that was Powell/Loy, and heave in a terrific script full of great lines and you've got a screwball classic of the type and quality unique to its era. The film just flows, the lines flow, even the absurd plot and its triply absurd conclusions just flow. It's a joy from beginning to end.
One real treat is seeing Powell do some first-rate slapstick during a fly-fishing scene. You'd expect him to just get through it OK but he literally throws himself into the physical humor in a way that would do Keaton proud.
The film also has some sweetness and romance, especially a lovely scene or two between Powell and Loy including a touching moment when he wipes a smudge off her face and she replies "thanks" so sincerely and adorably that it's small wonder she was so popular for so many years. Myrna Loy was in a class by herself and proof of God's existence is that she was paired with a guy who was in a class by himself. They were great friends and mutual clowns and kidders in real life (funny moments in some of their films together almost looked improvised!)and it shows on screen in a chemistry that is less physical heat and more spiritual kinship--two soul mates acting together. Powell married Harlow for a while and I suppose it'll always be a mystery why he and Loy never really got genuinely serious. I love this film but I'd have to say every film with Powell and Loy is a treasure. Do yourself a favor and pick up the Thin Man collection just released!