So JZ and I watched China Seas the other night. Big 30s action drama romance starring Clark Gable and Jean Harlow. Gable and Harlow were all star power and chemistry (though not particularly nuanced in their acting), and the story reminded me mostly of a Firefly episode. It also had Wallace Beery (which brought Barton Fink to mind) and a young Rosalind Russell as The Proper British Widow. (Her acting was both nuanced and nicely scene stealing in a few places.)

Classic thirties Hollywood, but excellent storytelling with big consequences and character-revealed-in-action and stuff like that.

It didn't hurt that Gable and Harlow were the team of the '30s.

Even if Harlow was miscast in anything where she couldn't throw a tantrum. (Which, IIRC, is true of China Seas, correct?)

Even if Harlow was miscast in anything where she couldn't throw a tantrum. (Which, IIRC, is true of China Seas, correct?)

She threw several. And kept breaking JZ's heart with her character's emotional nakedness. You could really see how Harlow was that rare sex bomb who also appealed greatly to women. She's both glamorous and very down to earth and likeable.

I ADORE her in Red Dust, also with Gable.

a young Rosalind Russell

My GF made me watch The Women a few weeks ago, with Rosalind Russell, Norma Shearer, and Joan Crawford. Entirely female cast, all about gossip and infidelity.

And fashion. Horrible, horrible fashion.

Still, it was quite enjoyable. B&W with a color section in the middle, highlighting some of the awful vintage fashion.

I still like "His Girl Friday" better.(Duh. Journalism grad, right?) Actually, I liked the first half of the Women and thought it was funny, but it fell apart in the middle. But the thirties audience hadn't seen "Heathers" ever, so I expect I have different expectations than them.

lurves erika even more than I do.

It's one of my favorite films ever.

"He looks like that film actor - what's his name? - Ralph Bellamy."

Makes me howl with laughter every. time.

Weirdly enough, I didn't see that one till I was out of school already, but I wanted to be that, I just didn't know it yet. Okay, that with a little Ivins, because as Ms. Molly goes, so goes my nation.

The Women is high camp at its highest and campiest. You gotta roll with it.

Guess I'd forgotten the specifics of China Seas -- I remember it as worthwhile, but the One True Gable/Harlow teaming is Red Dust. And the One True Harlow tantrum is in Bombshell.

Note to self: do not watch Brian's Song while suffering a lingering cough after a cold.