Film makeup Jean Harlow/film fashion Harlow

This is journeying quite a long way back in film history.

Before COVID when we went to packed-out cinemas chances are I would have said it was a bit dated.

Now I don’t even watch new films as they don’t compare to what I am used to, I never go to the cinema anymore, I found a new way to enjoy films, and started working backward.

Jean Harlow may be too dated for you if I’m honest.

But being equally honest I found I related to the films of hers I started to watch.

Where I grew up is an old satanic Mill town. 

In the days of Jean Harlow, there were a lot of Rich people with Rolls Royce. The wealth of these people is reflected in some of the older buildings.

In fact, I did a project on them at art college.

A student at the local university wanted to knock them all down and build this hideous plastic new town.

Luckily the council was against it, and had to agree with their choice.

None of the original stores remain, unfortunately, but when I was a little girl there was a department store with an original lift and a bell boy (where I had my Christmas presents put away for Santa to collect). And a deserted office building we sometimes went into. There is still an old arcade and nightclub.

It all had a kind of smell I can still see in my mind that I can imagine in Jean Harlow’s films. (think it was called the sweet smell of success).

When I watched her two films everything seemed to slow down, felt so relaxed.

Love watching her facial expressions as well.

Have to say I have the same dreams as her also.

Will definitely watch more of her films, knew there was something I liked about her when I did a makeup blog possibly 2 years ago.

She is old Hollywood

Think she has inspired hundreds of actresses, worth checking out if you love old Hollywood.

Think I ordered this makeup, but I’m not sure what Make It All is now.

ART DECO

Old Hollywood is associated with The Art Deco movement in art. This was one of my favorite styles whilst at art college.

It is still used as inspiration today.

This is an art deco necklace I made pre covid

Tried to make the photo look Art Deco as well

These colours sum up the smells and atmospheres I used to pick up from what was left of this era in my town

Feeling inspired to take Design up again if COVID ever goes away.

Found a few ideas in film fashion would like to make up. Think this is maybe the only way I will get them unless there is a fluke.

review

As an independent person studying film history, I have to say Jean Harlow will never date. She connects to old Hollywood, Cinema, (that worked and now be just history), and Art Deco design. Really glad I discovered Jean Harlow.

Actually, remember how I discovered her now from a film on Netflix when we were a member. Do this now instead. It had Carol Baker playing her. She had quite a tragic life in the end. Brilliant film.

It is called Harlow

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059252/

A screen adaption of the blistering best-seller which examines the story of platinum blonde bombshell Jean Harlow (Carroll Baker) who rose to fame in the reckless Hollywood of the 1930s.

Harlow

The link above is to a free film – just press Enlarge Sound and play and nothing else.

Jean Harlow’s look is stunning

Not sure you could get this anywhere at the moment.

This is the sort of glam we are all missing out on at the minute, unfortunately.

You can’t get jewelry like this anymore.

I Bet Carroll Baker loved playing this role.

This film sort of shows how it all looked in colour and if you were there at the time.

Jean Harlow

Measurements and films

Photo: New York Sunday News. / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

Birth Date

March 3, 1911

Died

June 7, 1937

Nationality

United States

Sun Sign

Pisces

Natural hair color

Blonde

Eye color

Blue

Height

5 ft 1½ in | 156 cm

Body Measurements

35-23½-35½ in | 89-59.5-90 cm

Weight

49 kg | 108 lbs

Bra Size

34B

Shoe size

7 US | 37.5 EU

Early acting career First movie Breakthrough

Jean Harlow was born in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, on March 3, 1911, and was an American actress.

Young Jean Harlow made her big screen debut in the drama film Honor Bound (1928) in an uncredited role as an extra.

She first signed a five-year contract with Howard Hughes on October 24, 1929.

She signed an exclusive contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1932.

Jean’s breakthrough performance came as Roy Rutledge in the aviation war movie Hell’s Angels (1930).

Best Movies

She starred in the pre-Code epic war film Hell’s Angels (1930), in her first major role as Roy Rutledge, directed and produced by Howard Hughes.

The Public Enemy (1931) pre-Code gangster drama as Gwen Allen

Libeled Lady (1936) screwball comedy as Gladys Benton

Dinner at Eight (1933) pre-code comedy drama Kitty Packard

Red Dust (1932) pre-code romantic drama as Vantine

Platinum Blonde (1931) pre-Code romantic comedy as Anne Schuyler

Wife vs. Secretary (1936) comedy drama as Helen “Whitey” Wilson

Bombshell (1933) pre-code romantic comedy-drama as Lola Burns

Red-Headed Woman (1932) pre-Code romantic comedy as Lillian “Lil”

China Seas (1935) adventure as Dolly “China Doll” Portland

Bacon Grabber’s (1929) silent short comedy as Mrs. Kennedy

Double Whoopee (1929) silent short comedy as a Swanky blonde

Hold Your Man (1933) pre-code romantic drama as Ruby Adams

Saratoga (1937) romantic comedy as Carol Clayton

Reckless (1935) musical as Mona Leslie

Suzy (1936) drama as Suzy Trent

Facts

Attended Miss Barstow’s Finishing School for Girls in Kansas City and Hollywood School for Girls.

Attended Ferry Hall School (now Lake Forest Academy) in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Had English, French, German, and Scottish ancestry.

She was one of the hugely popular actresses in the world by the late 1930s and became known as Hollywood’s Platinum Blonde.

She was the idol of Marilyn Monroe.

She made six films with Clark Gable.

She was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6910 Hollywood Boulevard in 1960.

She was the first actress on the cover of Life magazine (1937).

She wrote a novel “Today is Tonight”.

Was a devoted Democrat.

Owned a massive 152-carat star sapphire round cabochon ring.

Harlow died on February 8, 2007, in Hollywood, Florida, at the age of 26.

Relationships

Spouse

She was married to:

Harold Rosson (1933–1936)

Paul Bern (1932)

Charles McGrew (1927–1929)

She dated Donald Friede (1937), Robert Taylor (1936-1938), James Stewart (1935-1936), William Powell (1934-1937), Max Baer (1933), Johnny Weissmuller (1933), Clark Gable (1932), Charles Boyer (1932) and Howard Hawks (1930).

She was in a relationship with New Jersey mobster Abner Zwillman.

hotmodelsactress.com

So far watched Platinum Blonde and 3 Wise Girls

Click the links to watch

Conclusion

Brilliant films

The thing in those days is that not just film stars dressed up, everyone did. Life was for living and having luxury, not like now.

My dream is to have luxury.

Have to say I recognize her inspiration in modern singers, realise this is why I was drawn to their fashion influence in shops on the high street pre covid.

Jean Harlow was the original real woman, hope this comes back on the high street.

Will hopefully get around to watching the films on this list.

Will definitely do a film fashion project on this look, think everyone would like this.