Bombshell: The Life and Death of Jean Harlow (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jean Harlow (1911-1937) reigned as Hollywood's original platinum blonde sex symbol in the years before her death from kidney failure at age 26. With this crisply written, well-documented biography, Stenn ( Clara Bow: Runnin' Wild ) seeks to reveal the woman behind the screen goddess and to resolve the controversies surrounding both her death and that of her second husband, studio executive Paul Bern. Stenn's psychological portrait of Harlow focuses on her domineering mother and on the actress's unfulfilled desire for a stable family life. His account of Bern's 1932 death by gunshot wound is convincing: he agrees with the official verdict of suicide, while giving credence to reports of Bern's sexual dysfunction and bigamy. Stenn's narrative of Harlow's own death is level-headed; while he explores the impact of her alcoholism on her life, he refrains from speculating on the cause of her drinking. This skillful biography leaves one wishing only that Stenn had discussed more fully Harlow's place in film and cultural history. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This is a scholarly yet magnetically readable study of one of the silver screen's legendary stars. Stenn's admirable research has uncovered many new documents and startling facts about Harlow from those who knew her, and his analysis of this information provides the account with lasting value. Stenn tells an incredible story, highlighting Harlow's manipulative family, tragic marriages, "name" friendships and liaisons, studio intrigues, and, finally, addictions, obsessions, and mysterious and untimely death. In the end, we realize that Harlow was the star in her own life's tragedy. Although Stenn portrays her in an unabashedly sympathetic light, he is not afraid to confront unsavory events head-on or to offer keen insight into conflicting perspectives. Of special interest to circulating libraries, particularly since Stenn acted as a consultant for Turner Broadcasting's recent television documentary on Harlow. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/93.
- Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, N.J.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Lightning Bug Press; 2nd edition (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967282225
• ISBN-13: 978-0967282220
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,764,772 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE DEFINITIVE HARLOW BIOGRAPHY, October 27, 2000

By	anonymous (san francisco, ca United States) - See all my reviews

David Stenn's book is a meticulously researched, superbly written biography that answers the questions that inevitably pop up when we encounter Jean Harlow's image on screen -- and simultaneously contemplate her early death: Who was she? What was she really like? Was she happy? Why did she die at 26 years old? Stenn provides the answers, some of which are quite sad, all of which are true. He is also an artist with a real feel for Harlow's achievement as an artist. This is not the standard Hollywood biography, which lists one movie and then another. Stenn provides the sweep of the brief but extraordinary life of this young woman who was easily one of the most likable and adorable human beings of the twentieth century.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Not "Over" This Book - It's That Magnificent, March 14, 2006

By	Katherine Graham "Katherine Graham" (Sparta, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bombshell: The Life and Death of Jean Harlow (Hardcover)

I read the paperback edition of this book at least 2 years ago. And I was stunned to learn absolutely unknown facts about the following: Jean Harlow's outstanding acting ability; her hilarious sense of humor; how beloved she was by everyone (except Joan Crawford...) including Clark Gable and virtually every guy on the set from cameramen to gaffers; she was so endearing and kind to everyone that she was called "Baby"...in the most heartrending and respectful way; she was tiny - barely 4 feet 11 inches tall and despite her incredible beauty did not take it seriously; she tried desperately to please everyone and above all perhaps she was the most loyal friend anyone could have. The end was so heartbreaking, it still makes my eyes brim.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another incredible and beautiful Biography by David Stenn, March 21, 2005

By	Andrea Bowhill (England) - See all my reviews

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This is just what you want from a Biography, where the research has been done carefully and pieced together so well, so it reads straightforward it just gives you what you want to know. Question that went unanswered on this beautiful star for years have now been answered and sometimes the truth can be a tragic thing to know. The words that came to myself all the way through this book "if only". You are shown in all the right words this star as being just the real person she was, full of life inner spirit on screen and the plain truth off. At 26 it finished so sudden, this is incredibly sad for someone so young "if Only" Jean Harlow could have been strong enough to break free from her mother's grip, Just to find that happiness she needed for a short while, I believe she would have found it given more time, but time tragically once again, just wasn't on her side.

This is just incredible to read, very strong, she could have been your friend someone you cared about, because you are filled with sadness by the time you reach the end. Very well written.