I met William Powell as a young girl having had an emergency appendectemy at Hollywood West Hospital, the same hospital I'd been born in when it was then named La Brea Hospital. I remembered when introduced to him by a young orderly making his rounds and encouraging me out of my bed and exercising my then 11-year-old body by greeting some of who he'd then told me were interesting people to meet. I don't know why William Powell was really in hospital then, but the orderly told me he was having a nose job...hahaha. I think not, as he was already very senior. Regardless, he charmed this young girl whom he really didn't have to pay any attention to, so much so that I've remembered him all the rest of my life.
Love the young photos of them! Thank you for covering this. She dies in 1937, Eileen Wilson, his first wife dies in 1942, Carole Lombard his 2nd wife, in 1942. Later Powell’s son dies in 1968 at 43...it’s amazing William Powell lived so long enduring such horrible tragedies. ♥️ They were great actors! Very, very sad for all these people. Sad for Harlow...she just couldn’t get away from them... Sometimes...you’re just so done.
Too bad he didn't give her what she wanted ; too bad he didn't marry her . So sad how it went down for her in the end ... seems like she was really in love with him but he didn't quite feel the same ... at least not until it was too late
He is the most wonderful, intelligent, and beautiful man to ever grace the screen. My fave of all time. Forever. It hurts to learn he had feet of clay.
Thank you all who participated in this sensitively produced film on not only the background of William Powell and Jean Harlow but also their love affair. Jean Harlow had incredible Star quality and also appeared vulnerable, feisty and sensual in her movies. To me, she looked sweet and kind as well. I am so sad and so sorry her mother and ex-husband, cotrolled/stole her money and even her life; to have been forced to have two abortions is cruel and horrible. Her mother was a parasitical vampire using and abusing her daughter Jean, by proxy, to be rich and famous. It's too tragic the doctors' diagnosed her illness incorrectly and she died, at only 26, because of their errors. God bless Jean Harlow. Xxx ❤❤❤
She died because she had nephritis, something medical science could do nothing for back then. All they had were sulphur drugs which were all but useless. She died because it was her time. It’s unfortunate she was tied to her mother’s apron strings. She died so young it’s impossible to tell if she would ever have untied them. She still would have died of kidney disease.
I saw a documentary about Jean Harlow many years ago and apparently she was so loved by people working with her - technicians, not only actors - that when she died the word went around in disbelief, "Baby's dead". I hope its true that she did get conventional medical help, albeit incorrect, because it was previously thought that her mother insisted on only Christian Science being used. Many years later Doris Day, who also believed in Christian Science, went to a conventional doctor when she was overwhelmed by her symptoms and had to have an immediate hysterectomy. It's right to say Jean Harlow had a tragic life, and could have been so much happier if William Powell had married her. As its clear he knew.
It seems that Powell treated her very badly. Not only did he break her heart, but by not visiting her when she needed him most, he failed to see how sick she was and thereby didn't help her.
I recall Mickey Rooney saying that the day after Harlow died, the MGM commissary, usually bustling with activity, had patrons, but it was silent. Nobody said a word.
"clairedisapia, Harlow's forced to abort their baby -- one she so desperately wanted. Later, he's openly dating other actresses while she's dying in Good Samaritan Hospital. "They were a wonderful couple" -- NOT. "They were a wonderful couple" -- by all outward appearances, as dictated by the M-G-M publicity machine.
"amlblueful," Monroe had more psychological and emotional issues than Harlow. Plus, she lived nearly ten years longer than Harlow -- allowing more time for the 'warts & all' aspect of stardom and her private life to unfold. If Powell hadn't allowed or permitted the abortion of their baby, i.e., 'stepping up to the plate' and marrying Harlow, surely her serious medical condition would be uncovered by regular visits to her / the OB-GYN physician; then treated ASAP. . . . 'We'll never know,' but had they married and she went through the pregnancy, Harlow may very well have 'retired' from stardom to be a full-time Mrs. Jean Powell, wife and mother. Her dying young was totally unnecessary, but I'll say Monroe's death is sadder due to the situations preceding her death. BTW, what a wonderful film this is.
I believe that William Powell was the sexiest man to ever live. His smoldering sexuality first captured my heart in '"One Way Passage." His suave and debonair style was unsurpassed, though many tried to emulate him. His smooth voice and his smoldering manner made him the idol every girl loved. Though he has long left this world, his image lingers on the small and large screens and in the minds of many fans of movies from the golden age of Hollywood. Rest in peace, William Powell. You were and are loved by many. 🌹
AMEN AND AMEN. IN SPITE OF AN ALMOST WEAK CHIN, HE WAS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE MAN TO EVER HIT THE SCREEN. HIS BRILLIANCE AND BEAUTIFUL SPEAKING VOICE HAD A LOT TO DO WITH THE PERFECT CONFIDENCE HE EXUDED.. NOTHING SEXIER THAN INTELLECT WITH CONFIDENCE.
I read David Stenn's book Bombshell. An excellent and well researched work. Nice to see him participating in this documentary. Such a sad end to the short life of Jean and the tragedy of Powell's grief
What the hell was wrong with her mother?! Breaking up her daughter’s marriage, having her abort her baby, blowing her money?! 😡 Horrible woman! Harlow should’ve divorced her mother!
When you see Harlow in her fabulous clothes you can easily see she didn’t have ridiculously large breasts. Just enough to give her alluring curves (like catnip)
I have been colorizing images of Jean Harlow, and, at age 92, falling in love with someone even older than myself. This film is perfect. Thank you so much.
I read her Autobiography when I was 15. You can see in the last photo with her and her mother in the book Jean Harlow looked like she was an ailing 75 year old woman. Her mother interfered with her life and screwed her life up. She had too much control over Jean Harlow. Some think their parents can do no wrong. At times after you get older, better to follow what's going on in your own self. Follow your intuition.
Without the heavy makeup her face is really sweet looking, cute. Also, the public didn't know the truth about her horrible mother. It was publicized as a healthy, devoted and loving relationship, not the sick mother controlled thing it was. And her father was so cruel to abandon his little girl. So Sad!!
"voyaristilka5673," " . . . her face is really sweet looking," Pretty, for certain. But without her eyebrows -- only 'penciled in' ones allowed for many young actresses of the era -- her natural looks, scrubbed clean, and NO eyebrows would, I'm afraid to say, take some 'getting used to.'
"SJ-ni6iy," Hair, make-up, face -- yes. THAT heavenly figure -- especially gifted to one so comfortable appearing clothed sans bra and panties -- timeless.
They both lived in Kansas City, Missouri and went to central high school and lived near each other, but didn’t meet until they were in Hollywood. Jean was such a KC woman with a sweet attitude , whom all loved 💚 it was so sad all the forced abortions, divorces, and thieves around her, thank god he investigated her step dad. she so died of a broken heart 💔 I’m from kc, they are my favorite couple ever, liabled lady and reckless are their best movies 💚
Well, I thought I'd just watch a few minutes, and then mosey on over to another video, then I stayed and watched it in it's entirety, entranced by Jean Harlow. I've watched some of her old movies, but watching her here, I got the full Jean Harlow effect. She was gorgeous and mesmerizing. How I wish she had lived a long and happy life.
Jean Harlow was a beautiful woman, inside and outside!! She was a truly a wonderful talent! So very tragic her dying at such a young age of kidney failure. I love her movies with Clark Gable! They had hot chemistry together! Rest in peace, beautiful Baby!!
It's weird that her kidney failure came so quickly out of the blue . It would be weird if she had actually been poisoned enough that it caused severe kidney damage but went unnoticed . After all she did want to retire from film and just get married and be a mom .
I just read that her kidney failure was a result of damage caused to her kidneys by a bout of scarlet fever as a child. This was before penicillin and antibiotics.
Beautiful yet very complicated lives made a romantic couple having a sad ending story. They could have had it all especially each other but a few important obstacles interfered in their lives project making it impossible for them to stay together. Although not too extrange for Hollywood's standards, the studios practically owned their stars. Very sad indeed. May both be resting in peace.🙏🏻
One of my all time favorite movies are the Thin Man series. Then the Scarlet Letter (all version) and Wuthering Heights (most recordings). I could watch them over and over.
Thank you for one of the great tragedies and scandals of the Golden Age of Hollywood! Harlow was tiny and petite but had a great bod with all the curves in the right places along with being intelligent with a witty senses of humor. Powell, a great actor, was sauve and debonair was one of the best dressed men with great comedic timing. It's also said he was a functioning alcoholic himself. May they rest in peace and may they never be forgotten!
@@jacquelinejanz5792 Nothing new, that's been said about William Powell for decades! A great many were alcoholics and smokers back then, part of their nightclub culture!
I don’t think he ever meant to marry her. He was a star & he was not going to give any of that up by becoming the fourth husband of a 26 year old who would take the spotlight of him. There was also her mother & Bello & Powell wasn’t going to get stuck with them. I think he liked her just not enough to marry. Toward the end of her life I think he was stringing her along. He was also seeing another starlet
My thoughts exactly, this poor soul and beautiful Lady only wanted the essence of life which is in my opinion, love, respect, security and laughter. Only 26 years old when she died, over bearing mother, weirdo step-father, Hollyweirdo hounds, and married multiple times and several lovers all before the age of 30.
@@jacquelinejanz5792 she died at age 26. Hardly a long life filled with love, security and joy. Why does everyone have to jump down everyone’s throats just because someone might have a different view or see things differently? And with capital letters and exclamation points. William Powell had a tragic life too. Many actors and actresses did at that time and many probably still do.
I agree with you. Harlow wasn't the love of his life, he used and abused her. He's dating other women, gets her pregnant but doesn't marry here especially when she was willing to quit. They lived in the era where getting an abortion wasn't a piece of cake. I too feel so sorry for her. All she wanted was a respectful secure love.
I believe William Powell stayed away from acting for many years after Harlow's death until he finally agreed to do Life With Father. If you haven't seen that you really should.
At the Time of Harlows death William Powell was filming Double Wedding with Myrna Loy… both were devastated (Myrna had also been a close friend) and shooting was postponed for a few weeks to allow them both time to grieve their loss. However they did finish the picture, and Bill Powell went straight into The Baroness and the Butler. During filming he was diagnosed with rectal cancer and took several months off for treatment, returning to the screen in 1939 for Another Thin Man again with Loy…apart from his time off for his cancer treatment Bill Powell worked continuously until 1955 when he retired from filmmaking. There was never a long absence from the Screen following Jeans Death. Romantic fantasy yes… reality no.
"kaydee4296," "I believe . . . " With ALL the information available on the people in this film none of us need to be side-tracked by a maudlin, fairy-tale Comment, but simply know the facts, the truth -- so as to clearly state "I know . . . ." "scaramouche853," Replying to you here, shoots down IMMEDIATELY your incorrect, fabricated " . . . stayed away from acting for many years." In addition to the numerous Powell movies post 1937 stated in that helpful Reply, another consideration entirely you clearly missed: he's under a multi-year contract to M-G-M. After a suitable 'grieving period' -- like Harlow had after Paul Bern's death -- the powers that be are going to hold him to his obligations for the remainder of the contractual agreement. They would NOT let him 'sit on his hands' an entire decade until "Life with Father" (1947). "Life with Father" (ed. - lower case "w") is indeed a wonderful movie. . . . A contributing factor: Powell's leading lady, Irene Dunne, and he believably 'pulled off' playing a married couple.
I know that Jean Harlows Biographers did all the best research and their take on her is their perspective with lots of facts, but it always surprises me that most bios of these talented women are men, not one woman's perspective in this show, there was much more about her and who she was. I'm sure she had women friends and that she had to be strong and smart to hold her own with the studio and yes, I know that the show is not about her but about their romance still there is more to her.
@@Celisar1Nothing is stopping a Woman to write a book about Harlow, and someone making a YT video about her, and sexuality and talent is what Harlow used to be a star.
"bethanieerickson3484," As of October 2023 there are 3.95 billion females in the world. That BROAD, unsubstantiated statement comes across as irresponsible; and in this instance -- one man's or one woman's feeling or mindset. In other words, "bethanieerickson3484" claims to know how most people feel about . . . ed. - 'take your pick; any subject.' Sorry; can't be done.
You are correct; its now know as Post Abortion Stress Syndrome. Typicals symptoms include a love/hate relationship with surviving children, alcoholism or drug addiction to numb the pain.
I never knew she had one so tragic for her . Women's mental health is devastated by this and they don't talk about it it , you are 70% more likely to try to kill yourself at least once afterwards. I wonder was it done badly and could have contributed to her death!! The narrative Hollywood spun might nit be the truth.Your hormones apart from anything else will destroy you after one!!
The lovely and ever charismatic Jean Harlow, it was a pleasure to see David Stenn´s participation on this docummentary, his biographic Bombshell : The Life and Death of Jean Harlow is the finest I´ve ever read. It´s heartbreaking how short Jean´s life was, a true talent for the silver screen, may she keep resting in peace. ♡
Jean Harlow was a Great & Talented actress who had class, talent,& Beauty, who was taken from us too early in her life (at age 26, i believe) and who should have been given a much more longer chance at life , Unfairly taken from this world, at such a young age, & so suddenly, too.
I was surprised William Powell was born in 1892! This was a wonderful love story. So sad for the young actress with a mother who lost her major perspective, the well being of her daughter. She lived the life she wanted through her daughter’s success. William Powell is one of my favorite actors. He was a very handsome man with beautiful eyes. Jean Harlow, a life cut very short.
Hands down the funniest movie ever produced was Libeled Lady in my opinion. The actors were perfect together. I also don't think people realized how sick she was due to her youth.
"corineusa1454," It is WONDERFUL, a 'riot' as was said back then. Harlow to fiance Spencer Tracy, "And stop talking to me like a house detective." Tracy, after a pause that allows her comment to 'register' -- "Say, and just HOW do you know what a house detective talks like?!" That's paraphrased, but it's a clever back-and-forth I always remember from repeat viewings, initially when it was screened at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art [LACMA] around the American Bicentennial [1976] for the multi-month long 'The Mirth of a Nation' film series. Lastly, "corineusa1454," when over 45,000 movies have been released since the days of comedic geniuses like Chaplin, Fields, Keaton, Chase, (Mae) West, Laurel & Hardy, Marx Bros., Wheeler & Woolsey -- and yes, Powell, Loy, Tracy and Harlow -- one boxes herself / himself into a corner because how can ANYONE have seen every comedy since the dawn of move-making? "One of the funniest . . . " alleviates that. As we see in this documentary "youth" had nothing to do with her critical medical crisis. It's not like people responded, "But she's so YOUNG" when apprised of her illness because kidneys shutting down isn't age specific; it's an 'equal opportunity' killer. . . . 'People didn't realize how sick she was' because of the deceitful M-G-M publicity machine and her NOTORIOUS stage mother and leech who knew the truth would jeopardize her career. Until the kidney disease was successfully addressed, M-G-M could not get insurance on her to start ANY picture. . . . . . "Cult Cinema Classics," thank you; in my mind this was a "10." p.s. It's highly unlikely a civic media's celebratory film program in 2023 could use 'The Mirth of a Nation' as its (umbrella) title.
Something not stated in this excellent biography of two compelling stars: William Powell was buried in Desert Palm and not next to Jean Harlow. It makes sense considering his long marriage to Diane.
I have heard, from my female friends, who have also had an abortion, that they never emotionally got over the abortion. All of them said they would never do it again. So if she found it emotionally troubling, I would say that was normal. On the other hand, it was likely a relief to Powell.
I’m a generation too late for William Powell, but I love him and in all the movies of the thin man and anything I see him in. I just I just wanna hug him. He’s so warm and sensitive and so endearing. I’m not crazy about his drinking and movies, but that was what they did in those times, at least what some men did. But he reminds me of a guy I went out with the first guy I was involved with in my life and he was just a cuddler. He was a bright guy. Very good person.
Everyone treated her like dirt.......right down to William Powell--you don't "date" other women while you're with "love of your life." Hope he felt guilty and sad the rest of his life, miserable deutsch. So sad she died so young, never really getting what she wanted from life. I hope her rewards came to her in heaven. She deserved to be happy. Makes me want to cry for her.
THANK YOU. Harlow and Powell weren’t some “great love story”-he treated her like shit…like an option. It was a one-sided love and he took full advantage of that.
Honestly, I might be wrong, but Powell seems to be that man who just wanted to be with the hottest actress of the day... He promised to be buried with Jean after his death, but clearly, he did not fulfil the promise, and he quickly moved from top actress to top actress. Something not very pleasant about him in this sense. I love Jean Harlow, she was great actress and had a magnetic aura, very sharp mind and elegant beauty with a spicy twist. I hope I am wrong about Powell, tho.
He brought her a $25K crypt! Her parents were buried there. Powell’s son committed suicide & left his father a note...they were very close. I’m sure he wanted to be buried with his son.
@@cynthiaennis3107 then don’t make promises like that? Also, his behaviour while Jean was sick and literally dying was not very nice, was it? “He thought she had a flu and will get better soon”, great! If my partner is sick, I will stay and look after them, not go party with other people :( I feel for his loss of Jean and later, his son, but his behaviour was not very nice. Jean loved him more than he loved her 😢😞 and no money in the world will be more important than being with someone you love when they are sick or having bad time in their life.
Biographers have noted that when Harlow went into hospital the last week of her life, Powell spent the week going out with other starlets. It seems he was not the devoted lover portrayed in most stories of Harlow. Sadly, we will never know the true story.
"JoTracy," "Did Harlow's mother kill her daughter's husband?" No. Some evidence points to his wife from back east who was instutionalized; traveled west, ? "Bang!" ?, then committed suicide by jumping into the Sacramento River. " . . . narcissistic abuse from her mother" -- most definitely.
So tragic the audience lost the top three expert blonde comedienne of the 1930's within just a few short years of each other Thelma Todd in 1935, Jean in 1937 and Lyda Roberti in 1938 All talented and taken 💔 too yound
@@yolandagaines1760 Hi Yolanda! Thelma was the Original Queen of Comedy in terms of a stunning beautiful woman who played physical and slapstick humor naturally She was the leading premiere comedienne of her day Bert Wheeler of Wheeler and Woolsey said all the leading male comedians wanted Miss Todd ❤ as their female foil Too bad she never played with The Three Sooges
@@richardswinbusk7787 The Three Stooges were cinematic, comedic geniuses, especially with good material and a top director. But popular, identifiable women co-stars were less important to their mayhem than the likes and skills of Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, Chaplin, Wheeler & Woolsey, Charley Chase, and the Marx Brothers. For an actress of Thelma Todd's caliber to do Stooges shorts, why that would be considered 'slumming' within the Hollywood community. Some cautioned her she was jeopardizing her career doing all those [comedy] shorts at Hal E. Roach Studios. "Todd . . . a stunning{ly] beautiful woman . . . " Thelma Todd is indeed pretty. Appealing with a so-so figure. But stunningly beautiful would be a label better reserved, limited for Hedy Lamarr, Grace Kelly, Lana Turner, Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner -- all in their youth [ed. - since Todd died in her youth]. . . . . from one Todd fan to another.
"Sounds to me . . . " is the tell-tale warning sign to the RU-vid universe it's one person's 'hunch',' 'assumption,' 'opinion.' Along the lines of 'Hawkeye's (Alan Alda) iconic line from "M*A*S*H*", "Don't confuse me with the facts, I've already made up my mind."
Perhaps William Powell didn’t marry her because of the age difference. He had reached the age that he could see the future with him being elderly and her still youngish. My Dad had the same experience although he went on to marry her. And it was difficult for her the last few years of his life.
They were one of the top two couples who I loved in the movies. The couple was Lauren Bacall & Humphrey Bogart#1 and this couple. All four actresses & actors played separate or together with excellence. Can you see how the four together could be❓🤟🤟🤟🤟. They do not make great movies like before. Thank you very much. Thank you GOD BLESS EACH of YOU
Sorry, but i dont see any love story here. A 20 something woman being exploited by a 40 something man and left to die. Even when she aborted his child, he didn't realize, goes on to show how casually he took their relationship. She had to die for him to feel his guilt and love. Had he married her and given her the protection that she craved for so badly, she would have lived longer. What a cold, spineless man. Problem is not with strong people that make decisions, the real problem is with weak minded people that cannot make decisions. A classic example of killing with love.
"alanaadams7440," Hughes was quite the hypochondriac. If they were still a couple he would have flown her himself to the / his best doctor(s) in New York City. Her mother's opinion be damned. And she just might have reached middle age.
Mama Jean and her no-goodnik gigolo of a husband, Marino Bello, lived off of Jean's money and watched her die an agonizing untimely death. Truly evil people.
There's a great book, "Deadly Illusions" by MGM producer, Sam Marx, who was around at this time. He goes into the whole cover up over the Paul Bern murder.
I’ve read most everything about Harlow and I tried to get into “Deadly Illusions” but it just didn’t pique my interest. Maybe I’ll have to give it another go…. Interesting little fun fact….. Jay Sebring, who was murdered along with Sharon Tate also lived in the Paul Bern house….you probably already knew that but I just thought I’d mention it….lol!
🌿🇺🇲🌿 What a trajectory of malignant destiny - she: reaching for a tree bearing poisonous fruits. Poor Harlow, she was used in such reckless ways. An American Juggernaut, an icon of the early 20th century, shamelessly lost to other people's lives and desires. William Powell was so captured in his hubris that he didn't see what was right in front of him. 🌿🇺🇲🌿 CRUSHING.
My guess is it was because of her mother and he probably would have married her if she wasn't so close to her mother because she probably made it clear to him that if they get married her mother would be over there almost all the time in their home . It is a shame he couldn't give Jean Harlow what she wanted so much ... just to be loved .
Enjoyed this so much. My mother loved her. It was my mom’s era. Anyway Jean’s mother was evil and William Powell was foolish. Everyone managed her. She had fame but not the life she wanted 😢. If her mother had gotten her to a hospital she may have survived. Scientology cheez🤦♀️
Bill hooks up with a blonde bombshell and she later dies of medical misadventure. Then Bill hooks up with another blonde bombshell and she later dies of an airplane misadventure. So Bill says the heck with it and marries a brunette for 30 years, wisely avoiding another blonde disaster.
I love these actors and it’s sad she didn’t have proper medical care for her problems and thank heavens Doris Day knew her body and she was able to get to a Dr to save her life. I love William Powell in everything I have seen him in.❤😊Jean Harlow was excellent and she played the show RedDust with Clark Gable and she was superb and Dinner at Eight with Marie Dressler , Lionel Barrymore and John Barrymore,with a cast of great actors and a great many were older actors and actresses why do today’s actors think that they need a fake face these people were beautiful just as they were and Marie Dressler was able to play anything I continue to watch all classic movies and these stars ⭐️ she was a great beauty.(Jean Harlow ) She was glowing and had flawless skin. I just wish she hadn’t died so young.
@@chickhabit4131 That is irrelevant.... Mae West is known as platinum blonde... pretty much all the actresses in that era had something that was not "natural"...
@@chickhabit4131 Sure, not disputing that...but you ask anyone familiar with Mae West what was her hair color and they will say platinum blonde or blonde. Also, Jean Harlow didn't have either that natural platinum hair...nobody does.
@@editek5992 Yah Mae become famous with blonde hair when harlows style was popular and I’m not saying jeans hair was platinum but she was natural blonde and with silver screen her hair was the main reason why she get big attention and become famous
So sad how Hollywood manipulated their lives. Wm. Powell, one of my favorite actors, truly loved her. A shame at the end of her life and her last two weeks he didn’t visit her except once in the hospital. So sad for him emotionally. This is why when we love someone, we are there for them when needed.
I do not know why but I have always been obsessed with Jean harlow. I was born in 1962, and I eventually became interested in the manson murders and marilyn monroe. But as a young child I was obsessed with jean harlows life and death
A lot of people say how much Jean Harlow looks like momma Jean, and she does to a degree; but wow-I really think she looks like the picture of her dad!
