Victor Fleming directed Reckless (aka “Born Reckless” and “Hard to Handle”), a musical melodrama starring Jean Harlow, William Powell, Franchot Tone, and May Robson.
Grade: B-
Reckless | |
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David O. Selznick wrote the story, using the pseudonym “Oliver Jeffries,” which is loosely based on the scandal of the 1931 marriage between torch singer Libby Holman and tobacco heir Zachary Smith Reynolds.
Harlow plays musical stage star Mona Leslie, who’s jailed for reckless driving. She is bailed out by her friend, sports promoter and gambler Ned Riley (William Powell), in order to headline a charity event.
However, all the seats have been bought by wealthy Bob Harrison Jr. (Franchot Tone), president and only member of S.A.M.L. (the Society for the Admiration of Mona Leslie).
Mona begins dating Bob, with Ned’s approval. One night, while they are very drunk, Mona and Bob get married. The next day, Mona is pleased, but Bob gets depressed by anticipating negative response from his upper-class friends and family, especially his father, Colonel Harrison (Henry Stephenson).
Indeed, when the colonel and the rest of Bob’s circle are cold toward Mona, Bob wants to run back to New York, but she advises him to stay and stick it out.
The last scene is set on opening night, with Jo and Colonel Harrison in the audience. Mona starts off with a song, but hecklers make it impossible to continue. She quiets the crowd with a forceful justification of her actions and starts over.
When she is done, the audience gives her a standing ovation. During Mona’s next song, Ned proposes to her from the sideline.
Numerous writers, including Joseph Mankiewicz, Philip Barry, S. N. Behrman, and Val Lewton had some input, but only P. J. Wolson gained a credit for the final script.
Joan Crawford was originally cast as the lead. However, one week before production Harlow replaced Crawford, as Selznick hoped that Powell’s real-life romance with Harlow would help publicize the film.
For her part, Harlow was reluctant to make the film as her husband Paul Bern (like the husband of her character Mona Leslie) had committed suicide two years earlier.
A commercial flop, Reckless grossed a total of $1,339,000: $847,000 in the US and $492,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $125,000.
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Cast
Jean Harlow as Mona Leslie
William Powell as Ned Riley
Franchot Tone as Bob Harrison
May Robson as Granny
Ted Healy as Smiley
Nat Pendleton as Blossom
Rosalind Russell as Jo
Mickey Rooney as Eddie
Henry Stephenson as Harrison
Man-Mountain Dean as himself
Robert Light as Paul Mercer
Allan Jones as Allan
Carl Randall as himself
Nina Mae McKinney appears as herself
Leon Ames as Ralph Watson
Allen ‘Farina’ Hoskins as Gold Dust
Credits:
Directed by Victor Fleming
Produced by David O. Selznick
Screenplay by P. J. Wolfson, story by Oliver Jeffries
Cinematography George J. Folsey
Edited by Margaret Booth
Production company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Distributed by Loew’s Inc.
Release date: April 19, 1935
Running time: 97 minutes
Budget $858,000
Box office $1,339,000