Post by tom on Oct 29, 2021 8:28:51 GMT -6
I figured now was a good time as any to start a thread on Lombard, since she was a contemporary of Joan's, and they both loved Clark Gable.
I have tried to avoid getting too deep in the bramble on Lombard's death and possible conspiracy theories surrounding it. All sources I have read suggest that it haunted Gable for the rest of his life, and I suspect that was added to by his guilt that she flew back because Lombard suspected that he might be pussy footing around. I just like to focus on these great movie ladies when they were in their prime, building their reputations from nothing, many of them from hard-scrabble beginnings.
While I tend to gravitate towards silent era and pre-code films, Lombard's films from the pre-1934 enforcement of the "code" are pretty meh. I think the studios tried to push her into glamorous melodramas, but her gift for comedy was not discovered until later on. So far, my favorite pre-code movie of hers is "No Man of Her Own" (1932). She looks great, and there is enough comedy to see her really shine.
Twentieth Century (1934) with JC's buddy from Grand Hotel - John Barrymore - is also very good. Again, Lombard looks fabulous, and she gets to show her comedy chops.
Other ones I have seen and can recommend...
Safety in Numbers - 1930
It Pays to Advertise - 1931
No More Orchids - 1931
For those of us with short attention spans, her silent shorts with Mack Sennett are good. Funny. It is said by many that Lombard honed her comedic timing that served her so well as the Queen of Screwball Comedies during this period. She moved to Sennett studios when a car accident left her with a facial scar and her studio dropped her. Most of these are unavailable, these can be found online and Ms. Lombard has a decent role in each.
The Campus Vamp - 1928
Run Girl Run - 1928
Nice tribute video to pre-code CL...
I have tried to avoid getting too deep in the bramble on Lombard's death and possible conspiracy theories surrounding it. All sources I have read suggest that it haunted Gable for the rest of his life, and I suspect that was added to by his guilt that she flew back because Lombard suspected that he might be pussy footing around. I just like to focus on these great movie ladies when they were in their prime, building their reputations from nothing, many of them from hard-scrabble beginnings.
While I tend to gravitate towards silent era and pre-code films, Lombard's films from the pre-1934 enforcement of the "code" are pretty meh. I think the studios tried to push her into glamorous melodramas, but her gift for comedy was not discovered until later on. So far, my favorite pre-code movie of hers is "No Man of Her Own" (1932). She looks great, and there is enough comedy to see her really shine.
Twentieth Century (1934) with JC's buddy from Grand Hotel - John Barrymore - is also very good. Again, Lombard looks fabulous, and she gets to show her comedy chops.
Other ones I have seen and can recommend...
Safety in Numbers - 1930
It Pays to Advertise - 1931
No More Orchids - 1931
For those of us with short attention spans, her silent shorts with Mack Sennett are good. Funny. It is said by many that Lombard honed her comedic timing that served her so well as the Queen of Screwball Comedies during this period. She moved to Sennett studios when a car accident left her with a facial scar and her studio dropped her. Most of these are unavailable, these can be found online and Ms. Lombard has a decent role in each.
The Campus Vamp - 1928
Run Girl Run - 1928
Nice tribute video to pre-code CL...
