When we think of screen presence, with the benefit of a century of film, we immediately turn to superstars like John Wayne of the 1950s & '60s, or Harrison Ford in the 1970s & '80s. The visual impact of Ginger Rogers on those legendary Big White Sets at RKO, whether seen on a tv, or a monitor, or in nitrate on the big screen, is one of the splendors of the world. Elizabeth Taylor, Jean Simmons. Modern viewers tend to think of Jolie and Pitt and Dwayne Johnson as examples and certainly they have it in abundance. Brad Pitt as Achilles is iconic; Ford as Indiana Jones in the jungle; few actors can match the thrilling spectacle of John Wayne in battle on horseback, turning his torso toward the camera as he flashes past, guns blazing. Very fine actors like Montgomery Clift, Dennis Hopper, James Caan have all talked about the daunting challenge they faced, just to stay on the screen across from Wayne.
Nevertheless, it is quite probable that Jean Harlow had the greatest screen presence in the history of film. It would be years before Columbia learned how to present the kind of high quality glamour shots that RKO developed with Rogers, and which were expanded and improved upon to display those later superstars in all their glory. There is none of that level of camera work, direction, set design, or lighting to be found in this 1932 movie. Harlow truly didn't need them.
Mae Clarke was quite a beauty but she disappears in every scene she has here, completely overpowered by the translucent radiance of Jean Harlow.
Nevertheless, it is quite probable that Jean Harlow had the greatest screen presence in the history of film. It would be years before Columbia learned how to present the kind of high quality glamour shots that RKO developed with Rogers, and which were expanded and improved upon to display those later superstars in all their glory. There is none of that level of camera work, direction, set design, or lighting to be found in this 1932 movie. Harlow truly didn't need them.
Mae Clarke was quite a beauty but she disappears in every scene she has here, completely overpowered by the translucent radiance of Jean Harlow.