Customer Reviews

Girl From Missouri [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jean Harlow was one of the great screen comediennes and she was blessed with considerable comedic timing. This ability is shown to perfection is this extremely funny 1934 film. Though made one year after the restrictive Hayes Office banned all inneuendo in films, this movie manages to revolve around the subject of "having fun" with your dating partner before marriage. Harlow is paired with the underrated Franchot Tone, who was at his apex of fame here, and then sadly was reduced to playing in supporting roles, then ultimately bit parts in B movies. But Tone effortlessly captures the mood of the piece and excels in the role of besotted playboy. The magnificent Lionel Barrymore plays the crabby father of Tone and who is also Harlow's initial love interest. Yes, you read it right, Lionel Barrymore plays (for a little while) a ladies man. That is a first for him.

There are enough witty moments to keep you interested and Harlow always glows with a unique screen charisma. Though predictable in its twists and turns, it still rivets the viewer, all these years later. The only flaw is that movie is a scant 72 minutes in length, one wishes it could have continued for another half hour. This is a great old movie which has held up marvelously. If you've never had the pleasure of watching Harlow, this would be an excellent first choice to sample her magic.

I've seen alot of Harlow films, and in my opinion, this is one of the best. It's funny, upbeat, and although the costumes aren't as striking as in some of her other films, I think that it suits her character. Harlow is perfectly cast and in her element in this film.

THE GIRL FROM MISSOURI is a surprisingly good movie. It is a comedy which allows Jean Harlow to show her versatility as an actress. The story is about a girl who sets out deliberately to marry a rich man. Harlow is backed by a superb cast which includes Lionel Barrymore, Franchot Tone, Lewis Stone, Patsy Kelly and Alan Mowbray.

Anita Loos was the screenwriter. Jack Conway replaced Sam Wood as director during the production of the film. Conway also directed A TALE OF TWO CITIES (1935) and SARATOGA (1937).

Sam Wood is the director of THE GIRL FROM MISSOURI but this movie so thoroughly marked an "Anita Loos film". The legendary comic author/screenwriter never had a better actress for her stories than the beautiful, talented and totally endearing Jean Harlow and the Harlow/Loos combo whipped up a number of classic motion pictures. MISSOURI is one of the less known of the bunch but it's a fine comedy of a sexy gal from the wrong side of the tracks who is bound and determined to land a rich husband but all she seems to land is trouble. The influence of Loos' famous novel GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES is unmistakable on this original screenplay right down to having the brunette sex-obsessed (as opposed to money-obsessed) best friend. Lots of laughs in this one.