Jean Harlow, the blonde bombshell bar none of 1930s Hollywood, rinsed her hair scarlet to play social-climbing homewrecker Lil Andrews in this audacious, cynical, and often hilarious film. Lil is a seemingly hard woman in a tough world as she seduces first her married boss, Bill Legrande (Chester Morris) and then a visiting coal tycoon, Charles B. Gaerste (Henry Stephenson). Una Merkel plays her fretful, wisecracking best pal Sally to perfection and none other than Charles Boyer plays a key role as the divertingly attractive chauffeur, Albert. The Hays Office demanded 17 cuts to the film to tone down Harlow’s sexual assertiveness and still some audience members were shocked by her antics. So, watch with caution.

Notes by Pamela Hutchinson

Screening as part of our Pre-Code Hollywood: Rules Are Made To Be Broken season, August 1st to 8th.