Harlow (Paramount film)

Harlow is a 1965 American biographical film directed by Gordon Douglas about the life of film star Jean Harlow. It stars Carroll Baker in the title role, and Raf Vallone, Red Buttons, Angela Lansbury, Peter Lawford, Martin Balsam, and Leslie Nielsen in supporting roles. It was released by Paramount Pictures, shortly after another film with the same title and subject. Although the film failed commercially, it was successful in launching the hit song, Girl Talk by Neal Hefti.

The concept of depicting Jean Harlows on film had originated in the 1950s. Many actresses were reported to play Harlow in different biopics Cleo Moore for Columbia and Jayne Mansfield for Fox, but both of these projects fell through. In 1962, it was officially released that Marilyn Monroe would play Harlow in a lavish biopic as a part of her new contract with Fox. However, after Monroes death, the project was sold to Paramount who cast Carroll Baker in the title role. Based in part on Harlow An Intimate Biography, writer Irving Shulmans pulp biography, Paramounts Harlow is a melodramatic look at Harlows life, focusing on her failed marriages. The widescreen Technicolor film, produced by Joseph E. Levine, was made on a 2.5 million budget and featured a widereaching publicity campaign.

Source: Wikipedia