Jean Harlow - Stardom: "The Platinum Blonde"

Stardom: "The Platinum Blonde"

Harlow was next cast in Platinum Blonde (1931) with Loretta Young. The film, which had originally been titled “Gallagher,” was renamed "Platinum Blonde" by Hughes to promote Harlow’s image, thereby capitalizing on her signature hair color, which had been christened as platinum by Hughes’ publicity machine. This was an era when the chemical composition of hair dyes had not yet become perfected. It is reported that Harlow’s signature platinum color was achieved by a primitive bleaching method, the weekly application of a mixture of ammonia, Clorox bleach and a cleaning detergent, Lux (soap) Flakes. This process, which was harsh and sometimes painful, weakened and damaged Harlow’s naturally colored ash-blonde hair. Many of Harlow's female fans began dyeing their hair platinum to match hers. To capitalize on this craze, Hughes' team organized a series of "Platinum Blonde" clubs across the nation, with a prize of $10,000 to any beautician who could match Harlow's shade. However, Harlow herself denied her hair was dyed.

Harlow next filmed Three Wise Girls (1932), after which Paul Bern arranged to borrow her for The Beast of the City (1932). When the shooting wrapped, Bern booked a ten-week personal appearance tour on the East Coast. To the surprise of many, especially Harlow herself, she packed every theater in which she appeared, often appearing multiple nights in one venue. Despite critical disparagement and poor roles, Harlow's popularity and following was large and growing, and in February 1932, the tour was extended for an additional six weeks.

Apprised of this, Paul Bern, by now romantically involved with Harlow, spoke to Louis B. Mayer about buying-out her contract with Hughes and signing her to MGM, however Mayer would have none of it. MGM's leading ladies were presented in an elegant way, and Harlow's silver screen image was that of a floozy, which was abhorrent to Mayer. Bern then began urging close friend Irving Thalberg, production head of MGM, to sign Harlow, noting Harlow's pre-existing popularity and established image. After initial reluctance, Thalberg agreed, and on March 3, 1932, Harlow's twenty-first birthday, Bern called her with the news that MGM had purchased Harlow's contract from Hughes for $30,000. Harlow officially joined the studio on April 20, 1932. Her first task at MGM would be a screen test for Red-Headed Woman.

According to Fay Wray, who played Ann Darrow in 1933's King Kong, Harlow was the original choice to play the screaming blonde heroine. Because MGM put Harlow under exclusive contract during the pre-production phase of the film, she became unavailable for Kong, and the part went to the brunette Wray, wearing a blonde wig.