RED-HEADED WOMAN
US, 1932, 79 minutes, Black and white.
Jean Harlow, Chester Morris, Lewis Stone, Leila Hyams, Una Merkel, Henry Stephenson, May Robson, Charles Boyer.
Directed by Jack Conway.
Looking now at this Jean Harlow comedy drama, it is very clear that it is pre-Code. This is the story of an archetypal golddigger, allegedly from the wrong side of the tracks, making plans to go up and up in the wealthy world, setting her sights on a business executive, seducing and marrying him, then seeing a possibility of a relationship with a top executive, but also having an affair with his chauffeur.
And, instead of her downfall, she finishes the film on more than a high, moving in presidential circles in France, with a winning or racehorse – and driving off with her same chauffeur.
Jean Harlow enters fully into the role, exerting sex appeal, some charm, some relentlessness in her ambitions. Her first target is played by Chester Morris, then she moves on to the older businessman, Henry Stephenson, and, in an early role, the chauffeur is played by Charles Boyer. Lewis Stone is Chester Morris’s father and there are some comic touches from May Robson.
The film is brief, risque, playing up to all of Jean Harlow’s sex appeal, a tongue-in-chief sort of film from the early 1930s.
1. The status of the film in its time? Pre-Code? Jean Harlow and her reputation? Now?
2. MGM production values, cast, director, black and white photography, small town business settings, Society, New York, Paris? Musical score?
3. The character of Lil, the nickname “Red”? Introduction, working at the office, her plans for Bill, delivering his mail home, the seduction sequence, his resistance, response? Reaction to his wife’s coming home? Her long friendship with Sally, confiding in her, always relying on her, taking her to New York? The continued seduction, her plans, imposing herself, entering the house, the confrontation with Rene? At the restaurant, in the phone booth? Going out, drinking, marrying Bill? His father trying to buy her off? Her refusal? Her place in society, people ignoring her? Going to see Gerstle, her charm, forcing him to invite everyone to her house, the coming, leaving and going across the street to Rene’s house? The telling them off? Going to New York, the seduction of Gerstle, the relationship, her divorce, his promise of marriage? Her relationship with Albert? The private detective, the photos with Albert, her being compromised, Gerstle’s rejection of her? Bill’s rejection of her, reuniting with Rene?
4. Lil, not defeated, going to Paris, winning their horse race, the cup, the President, in the car – and Albert the chauffeur?
5. Bill, his marriage and love for Rene, his father, the company, susceptible, succumbing to Lil, trying to warn her off? His wife’s upset? The divorce? Marrying Lil? The socials, Gerstle’s invitation, Bill’s being willing to stay home when she was not invited? The party? His visit to New York, the detective? Reuniting with Rene, walking out on Lil?
6. Gerstle, elderly businessman, Lil going to see him, the seduction, leaving her handkerchief, the invitation to the meal, his hosting? In New York, the relationship, going out with her, the proposal? His disillusionment in seeing the photos?
7. Albert, the chauffeur, the relationship with a Lil, his being fired – and their being in Paris together?
8. The small town society, Bill’s father and his influence, signing the cheques? Friends, parties, socials? The role of Rene, her love for her husband, not standing by him, disappointed, reunited?
