As part of our fashion portrait theme, here is a very early shot of Harlow modeling a satin gown and large scarf from September 1928. Taken just months before signing on to a five-year contract with Hal Roach, this young model was using her married name of Harlean McGrew II on official documents.
Harlow was already doing bit parts at this point, having had uncredited walk-ons in Honor Bound (1928) and Moran of the Marines (1928).
This photo appeared in the September 27th, 1928 edition of the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner (then known as the Herald-Express) with the following caption describing Harlean’s attire:
”Miss Harlow’s large scarf really amounts to an evening wrap. It is a square of salmon colored chiffon velvet edged by a wide band of silver. It may be wrapped around like a ‘grandmother’s shawl’, but more dashingly.”
An interesting addition is an article titled “Diary of a Hollywood News Hound” from the June 1935 issue of New Movie Magazine. Columnist Marian Rhea publishes an old diary entry from when she worked on this very fashion shoot. Excerpt from the article:
”Here is page one. It is an “I knew her when” entry, made a long time ago, telling about a little extra girl who afterward made good in a big way, and the first time her picture ever appeared in a Los Angeles newspaper —
September 27, 1928. The city editor had a brilliant idea today. Said for me to arrange a layout of pictures for page three featuring fashions worn in Hollywood these days. Said to use Hollywood extra girls as models and to have them photographed in our office. I called up Central Casting Bureau and asked them to send me out a dozen of their prettiest. Three blondes, two red-heads and a brunette showed up with some swell-looking clothes. One particularly good liking and striking. All curves and blue eyes and gorgeous complexion, pink and white. A grande dame air. Hair white as cotton. Name of Jean Harlow….”
I doubt this “diary entry” really existed before its appearance in a fan magazine, but it’s a cute tidbit to imagine nonetheless. Jean was with the Central Casting Bureau at this time, though.
First page of “Diary of a Hollywood News Hound” featuring a paragraph on Harlow, and the original portrait.
Harlow Heaven 