"Reckless" (1935) William Powell, Jean Harlow

[rmichaelpyle]

I watched "Reckless" (1935) with William Powell, Jean Harlow, Franchot Tone, Frank McHugh, Nat Pendleton, May Robson, Ted Healy, Henry Stephenson, Rosalind Russell, Mickey Rooney, Leon Ames, and so many others, too.

Okay, this is serious, comedic, a musical, a dance hall review - you name it, it seems to be it. Directed by Victor Fleming, it showcases the talents of Jean Harlow in particular, although the light and lightly serious side of William Powell gets plenty of exposure, too. Franchot Tone steals all the great scenes, and they're basically dramatic. This is all based on the life of Libby Holman, a real life friend of Jean Harlow's. Libby's fiance, tobacco heir Zachary Smith Reynolds committed suicide - as does Tone here.

I've not seen this for a while. While the direction is strong - should be, it's Victor Fleming - the editing is seemingly too much, because there's still way too much packed into this thing for me. Nothing wrong with the show, just over the top in the end. It had a good reputation, but its direction seems to have no wind source. Wind spilling out of every cup - cups everywhere.

Part of the new 7 DVD collection from Warner Archive celebrating the 100th birthday of Jean Harlow.

[Midge]

I tried to watch this movie once, but I thought that Jean Harlow was terribly miscast as a musical star. "Its direction seems to have no wind source" is an apt description indeed.