Harlow - 1965 ***

The film itself was okay, but Carroll Baker was woefully miscast as Jean Harlow. For fans of Jean, this film does nothing for her image, missing out important chunks of her life (such as her relationship with William Powell) and portrays her as a bit of a ditzy, uneducated bimbo which she wasn't. The relationship with Marino Bello is glossed over as little more than a step-daughter being immature towards her slightly annoying stepfather, when in reality Bello was a hard and unlovable man who took all Jean's money and made it very difficult for her to mature as a human being and as a celebrity. It wasn't a bad standalone film if you want to try not to compare it to any real events but there is no way you can take this as gospel about Harlow's short and sad life.