THE GIRL FROM MISSOURI
US, 1934, 75 minutes, Black and white.
Jean Harlow, Lionel Barrymore, Franchot Tone, Patsy Kelly, Alan Mowbray, Nat Pendleton.
Directed by Sam Wood, Jack Conway.
The Girl from Missouri is one of many star vehicles for Jean Harlow at MGM during her short reign as the blonde bombshell and her untimely death in 1936, page 26.
The screenplay for this story was written by Anita Loos, the writer of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – which is something of the undertone of this story. Jean Harlow portrays a young woman brought up by a slatternly mother, escaping from a club, making her way to New York with her tough friend, Kitty, Patsy Kelly. They are chorus girls – but Jean Harlow set herself on marrying a millionaire, first encountering Lewis Stone and becoming momentarily engaged before he kills himself.She becomes entangled with an ambitious millionaire, Lionel Barrymore, and by chance encounters his son to whom she is attracted, and he to her, Franchot Tone.
There are quite a lot of misunderstandings, some double dealings, the older man setting Jean Harlow up in a compromising set situation – and she reversing it on him.
Touches of the 1930 screwball comedy – and a millionaire happy ending.
1. Popular star vehicle for Jean Harlow? The prestige of Lionel Barrymore? Franchot Tone emerging?
2. Black-and-white photography, the American countryside, New York City, Theatre and the world of the wealthy, Florida, Palm Beach? The musical score?
3. Jean Harlow as Eadie? The Jean Harlow presence, look, blonde bombshell? A background in Missouri, upbringing, her mother, with stepfather running the club, morals? Wanting to get out? The escape with Kitty? Hopes for New York City? Virtuous preparation for marriage – and marrying a millionaire?
4. New York City, the work in the theatre, boarding with Kitty? The producer, getting the permission to go to the party, the dancing? The coming into Frank Cousins’ room? His gift of the jewels? Promising to marry her? His killing himself? The police, the interrogation? The presence of Paige?
5. Frank Cousins, debts, asking Paige for help? Paige getting revenge? Cousins killing himself?
6. Paige, poor beginnings, becoming wealthy, international job, arms conference, the dinner, his being celebrated? His relationship with his son, wanting to control him?
7. The son, the encounters with Eadie, playboy, the attraction? Eadie and her reactions, fobbing him off, not knowing the truth, yet falling in love?
8. The comedy with Kitty, her personality, supporting Eadie, Kitty attracted to all the different kinds of men, servants, lifesavers…?
9. Going to Florida, Eadie and Paige, his wanting to buy her off? The sun, the dates, the misunderstandings? His attraction, her attraction?
10. The father, his friends, Lord Douglas, the married man and his wanting Eadie? The father and the set up with the false lover, the photographer, headlines? The son’s reaction?
11. Eadie, her plan, the compromise for the father, the headlines?
12. Punchy situations, dialogue, the double crosses, the romance?
