Libeled Lady (1936)
Director: Jack Conway
Starring: Jean Harlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy
Synopsis:
A newspaper editor hatches an elaborate plot to undermine a socialite's libel suit against his paper.
Impressions:
We've seen the basic formula many times (though maybe not quite so many when this was made). You have a convoluted plot with fake romance that turns into real romance, then the truth comes out and you have to pick up the pieces. William Powell does most of the heavy lifting with the comedy and his chemistry with both of the leading ladies. Powell's chemistry with Myrna Loy is well-known, but he also gets on rather well with Jean Harlow, who was his real-life fiancée at the time. I feel Spencer Tracy's talents were underutilized in his role, but so it goes. This is a good romcom and I recommend it. Give it a watch.
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