Before Jean Harlow became a superstar with MGM studios, her role alongside Loretta Young and Robert Williams in Platinum Blonde established her reputation as the original blonde bombshell. Tampa Theatre brings Frank Capra's 1939 romantic comedy back to the big screen as part of its annual Summer Classic Movie Series. Platinum Blonde was originally titled Gallagher before Howard Hughes, the eccentric producer and Harlow's then-manager, insisted it be changed to promote the starlet's image. But despite Harlow's sex appeal, it was Williams who ultimately made the movie shine. Critics lauded him for his portrayal of Stew, an ace reporter who falls in love with wealthy Anne Schuyler (played by Harlow) while working on a story. The pair elope, and Stew finds himself taunted by his colleagues for being a kept man, making him question the hasty marriage. Young plays Gallagher, a beautiful columnist and co-worker of Stew's who is secretly in love with him. Will Gallagher find a way to get Stew in her arms? Find out this weekend. Sun., July 6, 3 p.m., 711 Franklin St., Tampa, $8, 813-274-8981, tampatheatre.org.
This article appears in Jul 2-8, 2008.