The Girl from Missouri (1934)

Just perfect...

Absolutely the worst movie.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

After seeing this, my third film from the 7-DVD 'Jean Harlow 100th Anniversary Collection' from Warner Archives, I'm very tempted to say, without exaggerating, that perhaps she was the first 'modern' actress (though Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Crawford would also be in the running). Her speech was very fast by that era's standard, she displayed a huge range of emotion, was incredibly sexy and was great at both comedy and drama.This was great, as she's a chorus girl from a poor family in the Midwest who wants to marry a millionaire but the right way, and without sacrificing her values in the process. At first she's not taken seriously, as she meets a wealthy banker (finely played by Lionel Barrymore) who knows what it's like to be on the poor side of the tracks, and enters his social circle. Then his playboy son (a very good performance by Franchot Tone, whom I liked best in 'Mutiny on the Bounty', his only Oscar-nominated work) takes a shine to her, unsure if she's the real thing or just another floozy.Heartily recommended. Not a great script, but it's lifted with Harlow's personality, jolly comedic relief by Patsy Kelly and a solid supporting cast, decently directed. For single-handedly saving Warner Brothers from bankruptcy just the previous year, she deserved better but this wasn't a bad showcase at all for her considerable talents.

Because the Hays Code was implemented during the production of this film, it has a bit of a contradictory plot - Harlow wants to have fun but she also insists that she has the highest morals. She and her friend Kitty (Patsy Kelly) have bolted Missouri for the East Coast where Eadie (Harlow) wants to hook a rich benefactor. She sets her eyes on the rich elder host of a party, Cousins (Lewis Stone) and he agrees to marry her. However, unbeknownst to Eadie, he has just been turned down for a large loan and will imminently kill himself. She then turns her attentions to TR Paige (Lionel Barrymore), a banking magnate, who isn't interested in her and can see through her games. His son TR Paige Jr. (Franchot Tone), is besotted with her and his dad thinks that if he gets burned by the money-grubber, he might learn something. Eadie shows herself to have a heart of gold and so the film doesn't turn out as the banking magnate might have foreseen it.Some great acting by Tone and Harlow steals every scene she is in. Barrymore is fantastic and effortless in his role. Kelly is very good as Eadie's frisky friend. An enjoyable way to spend 75 minutes.

THE GIRL from MISSOURI unleashes Jean Harlow's comedic skills, not to outdo her natural attributes. When Harlow is in a scene, it is hers. She plays Eadie, a small town girl headed to the big city with her best friend Kitty(Patsy Kelly). She becomes a chorus girl with the intention of landing a man...not just any man, a millionaire. On one hand it seems she will do anything to get what she wants; on the other hand she doesn't want to stray far from her values. Thinking she has landed the wealthy T.R. Paige(Lionel Barrymore), who really doesn't want to take her seriously. T.R. Paige Jr.(Franchot Tone)is the one smitten by the blonde bombshell. Daddy Paige will do what he can to discourage his son from stooping down for the love of a flashy chorus girl. Fast moving comedy and yes, Miss Harlow really can be funny almost effortlessly. And no doubt she looks good coming as she does going. Also in the cast: Lewis Stone, Henry Kolker, Alan Mowbray and Clara Blandick,

THE GIRL FROM MISSOURI arrives in New York City knowing exactly what she wants: to amount to something solid by marrying a millionaire - without losing her virginity. With her knockout good looks she quickly catches the eye of the playboy son of a tycoon, but by staying true to her virtue will she also discover true love?Jean Harlow sizzles in this excellent little comedy. With her platinum hair & gorgeous accouterments, she is a dazzler. But her beauty should not obscure the fact that she was also a very good actress. She has rightfully earned her spot at the very top of the Hollywood pantheon.An excellent cast gives Harlow fine support: Lionel Barrymore as the wily old tycoon, wise to Harlow's ways; handsome Franchot Tone as his son, smitten with love; raucous Patsy Kelly, stealing her scenes as Harlow's sidekick; debonair Alan Mowbray, as a well-mannered English Lord; elderly Clara Blandick as Barrymore's feisty secretary; hearty Hale Hamilton as a rich man with an eye for the ladies; muscular Nat Pendleton as a lifeguard who catches Kelly's flirtatious eye; and Lewis Stone, unforgettable in a small role as a bankrupted businessman.It should be noted that this film was produced soon after Hollywood's Production Code was instituted. A comparison with RED-HEADED WOMAN, made two years earlier, would be fascinating - in which Harlow's character goes after the same ends, but uses very different means.