Too much of everything

Excellent, a Must See

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Even though this "Poor-Boy-Meets-Rich-Girl" Screwball comedy from 1931 was given the decidedly misleading title of "Platinum Blonde" - It certainly wasn't Jean Harlow's character who carried this film's story and made it all work. No, it was not.IMO - Harlow (20 at the time) only served as being mere window-dressing in this picture. That's all.The actor who was really the focus of "Platinum Blonde" was Robert (never heard of him?) Williams who played Stew Smith, the outrageously bold, wisecracking, womanizing, newspaper reporter who'd do just about anything for a scoop.I'm someone who usually avoids watching Screwball comedies from Hollywood's heyday - But this early "Frank Capra" production actually did appeal to me on account of Williams, not Harlow.*Note* - 4 days following this film's initial theatrical release, Robert Williams (34 at the time) died from a burst bladder..... The tragic end to a potentially promising career.

Rom-com, 1931 style. Robert Williams plays a newspaper reporter who falls for a rich socialite (Jean Harlow) and the two get married, against her mother's objections. The relationship is ill-matched, him resenting being treated as a 'bird in a gilded cage', as he and others put it, and she disliking his crude ways and partying friends. Meanwhile, the gal pal played by Loretta Young carries a torch for him all along. You know how it's going to end, but it's charming nevertheless, has a script full of funny touches, and is well cast all around. Williams is smooth and wonderful, and reminds one of Spencer Tracey. Characteristic to the time, he settles a few disagreements with his fists, but it's as good-natured a way as Capra can make it. He also a couple of very nice romantic scenes with Harlow – the first, talking and then kissing behind the window of a beautiful garden waterfall, and the second, playfully making up and singing a song debating whether he should wear garters or not. It's absolutely tragic that Williams would die at the age of 37 three days after the film's premier, and that Harlow would die six years later at the age of 26.

Robert Williams is the male "fish-out-of-water" that gets the total treatment from Jean Harlow. She is the rich, bored socialite that traps "Mr. Smith" (Williams) in her little web, and completely "twitterpates" him (yes, it's a real verb). He leaves all that he knows as a reporter and newspaperman, and becomes known as "The Cinderella Man" by the papers. His rich wife also has hints of infidelity, as well. The last half hour is priceless, as he finally realizes he is a "Captive Eagle", as Smyth the Butler so discreetly puts it. He invites "Gallagher", (the incredibly beautiful Loretta Young at age 18) his newspaper "buddy" at work, to the mansion while his wife is out at a society event, and she brings the entire office! A rousing and funny climax ensues. He finally gets to do three things: 1. Write his comedy play (a fictionalized account of his sappy marriage and high society). 2. Sock their divorce-lawyer in the nose. 3. Propose to Gallagher. Great Capra-corn. A "warm up" to "It's a wonderful Life", populated with a few of the Capra cast of character actors. Both Williams and Harlow died very young. Jean Harlow had fantastic charisma and was captivating. Just like Marilyn Monroe she was not a true natural blonde. Her special "hair treatment" might have contributed to her early demise. (Read the on-line bios.)

1931's "Platinum Blonde" was an early Frank Capra "talkie" and one where he was still in the development stage of his eventual brilliant career as an iconic Hollywood director. Sadly, the film is now more noted for the outstanding work of lead actor Robert Williams who died only days after the premier of the movie from appendicitis. His natural and free-flowing performance in this film was decades ahead of any actor on the scene back then and he was sure to have become a great star if he had lived. The plot revolves are Williams' character, a fast-talking and brilliant reporter, who ends up marrying rich heiress Jean Harlow (the "Platinum Blonde" of the title) even though he's quite in denial of his true love, one of his junior colleagues, the absolutely gorgeous Loretta Young. Director Capra keeps the pace moving at breakneck speed and the dialog is well-suited for Williams' talents. Ms. Harlow's wooden personality and stilted delivery actually fits her character's shallow traits. She loosens up in several bedroom scenes with Williams and the movie served her well in what was considered her "breakout" performance. But there's no one else on the planet like the 18-year-old Loretta Young. She is a goddess in this movie and she doesn't need to dye her hair "Platinum Blonde." The great Reginald Owen has a nice role as the head butler in Harlow's huge mansion. He provides Williams with an excellent foil and their scenes together are priceless. It's all handled in the soon-to-be-famous Capra style. "Platinum Blonde" isn't a classic film, but Williams' performance makes up for any deficiencies.