Libeled Lady (1936)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Jack Conway

Writers:

Maurine Dallas Watkins (screenplay) and
Howard Emmett Rogers (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

9 October 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

Warren Haggerty is the chief editor of the New York Evening Star. He keeps on delaying his marriage...

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Editor | Newspaper | Restaurant | Truck

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Jean Harlow	...	Gladys
William Powell	...	Bill Chandler
Myrna Loy	...	Connie Allenbury
Spencer Tracy	...	Haggerty
Walter Connolly	...	Mr. Allenbury
Charley Grapewin	...	Mr. Bane
Cora Witherspoon	...	Mrs. Burns-Norvell
E.E. Clive	...	Fishing Instructor
Bunny Beatty	...	Babs (as Lauri Beatty)
Otto Yamaoka	...	Ching
Charles Trowbridge	...	Graham
Spencer Charters	...	Magistrate
George Chandler	...	Bell Hop
William 'Billy' Benedict	...	Johnny (as William Benedict)
Hal K. Dawson	...	Harvey Allen

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (certificate #2585) | Canada:PG (video rating) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | Finland:S | USA:TV-G | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Just before production started, studio head Louis B. Mayer gave Jean Harlow a $5,000 bonus, primarily in recognition of the surprising profits on her previous film, Suzy (1936), which had brought in three times its cost.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Spencer Tracy refers to William Benedict's character as "Joe", although the opening credits identify him as "Johnny".

Quotes:

Warren Haggerty: [introducing] Mr. Bane, my future wife.
Mr. Bane: Nonsense! I'll be in my office. Get rid of this woman!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Harlow: The Blonde Bombshell (1993) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Bridal Chorus

two strong ladies for the price of one

This MGM goodie has Jean Harlow and Myrna Loy, both strong characters who know exactly what they want to get from Spencer Tracy and William Powell ... all four principals in the cast are excellent, especially Harlow and Powell (any scene connected with fishing is funny, especially Powell's attempt to land the great trout). Walter Connolly is also good value as Loy's father.

'Libeled Lady' is fast-paced, with lots of good moments concerning the plot around a newspaper - a would-be marriage - an heiress - a boat - and some great over-the-top scenes. Highly recommended!