Platinum Blonde

Platinapommi. US (c) 1931 Columbia. P: Harry Cohn. D: Frank Capra. DP: Jo Swerling, Robert Riskin, from a story by Harry E. Chandlee, Douglas W. Churchill. DP (1,2): Joseph Walker. PD: Stephen Goosson. S: Edward Bernds. ED: Gene Milford. Starring Loretta Young (Gallagher), Robert Williams (Stew Smith), Jean Harlow (Ann Schuyler). 89'. A brilliant LoC print viewed at Orion, Helsinki, 24 Aug 2005. One of Capra's early comedies set in the newspaper milieu: Stew Smith is a tough reporter on a case of a millionaire family being blackmailed by an ex-girlfriend. He does his job but treats the family fairly (he manages to return the risque letters to them). He falls in love with Ann, the daughter of the family but realizes that he is like an eagle in a gilded canary bird cage living in their mansion. So there's the boy-girl Gallagher whom he'd noticed in that way. A witty film full of great satire and fine acting, including Jean Harlow who is warm, funny, and sexy, cast against type. Robert Williams, who died soon after this, is interesting and original. Loretta Young is already very good. The sense of rhythm was even better in The Miracle Woman. The luminous print brings out the mastery of Joseph Walker's cinematography in many milieux including the newsroom, the mansion, and the nocturnal garden party. The camera movement and the variety of camera angles and shot sizes is very effective.