Personal Property, 1937, will be playing on Turner Classic Movies until August 14.  Closed Captioned.  Search for TCM Movies on Demand and you will see all of the films available.  You can click on Personal Property any time to play it.

Robert Taylor, Jean Harlow and Reginald Owen

I’m a sucker for this movie. I’ve watched it many times and never fail to enjoy the excellent visuals, the superior acting and just the general silliness of it all. Robert Taylor is wearing much too much makeup but looks great anyway, especially in the bathtub scene!  Harlow’s cough is real and is a sad reminder of her fatal disease. The hat “business” with the bailiff is truly charming as is Raymond’s reaction to the news that the bailiff is expecting a baby that night. The centerpiece is, of course, the dinner party. The superb timing by all the actors pulls off a series of sight gags (pepper in the cocktail, the over-filled wine glass, the missing dinner, the dressing). I especially like the interaction between Raymond and his mother. It seems so natural. Highly recommended.  Review I wrote for Amazon.com.

Jean Harlow and Robert Taylor

Some behind the scenes photos:

Left to right: Ms. Harlow photographs Mr. Taylor; Mr. Taylor, Mara Shelton, script girl; Ms. Harlow, script girl; Mr. Taylor.  (The original caption says script girl.  I don’t know her name.)

Left to right: Henrietta Crossman, Mr. Taylor, director W.S. Van Dyke; Barnett Parker, Mr. Taylor, Ms. Crossman, E.E. Clive, Ms. Harlow, Reginald Owen, Ms. Shelton; Mr. Taylor, Ms. Shelton, Mr. Van Dyke, Ms. Harlow.

Left to right: Mr. Clive and Mr. Taylor; Mr. Taylor and Mr. Van Dyke; unknown, Mr. Taylor, photographer.

Left to right: Ms. Crossman, Mr. Gardner, Ms. Harlow; Ms. Harlow; Ms. Harlow, Una O’Connor, Forrester Harvey, Mr. Taylor.

Left to right: Mr. Van Dyke; Ms. Harlow; Mr. Taylor;  Mr. Van Dyke; Mr. Taylor; Mr. Van Dyke, Ms. Harlow, Mr. Taylor.