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Lee Tracy's Obnoxious Character Came Close to Ruining This

posted 15 years ago by HarlowMGM
11 replies | jump to latest

I love BOMBSHELL - it's one of Jean Harlow's best films and best performances but really, Lee Tracy's pushy publicist is incredibly obnoxious and comes close to ruining the picture for me. No way could I ever believe Lola could have romantic feelings for this guy at any time - and with his endless harassment and stunts, it's inconceivable she would have ever warmed back up to him again. I know it's just a comedy but he makes life so miserable for poor Lola, I do wish she had gotten him fired and out of her life for once and for all.

[–] Troy202 15 years ago

The problem with Lola was that she was a pushover. After she had him fired he told her cockeyed sob story that he was going to Tahiti and she fell for it. La Tracy is truly funny in a obnoxious way, but it does show the how some of the publicist of the era might have been.

Everything of course, is played for laughs. But if you notice Lola's taste in men leaves a lot to be desired, from Jim Brogan to the Marquis to wimpy Gifford. What I found unbelievable that Lola forget Space after she found out the Middletons were actors. That was pushing it too far.

Space played with her feelings. One thing is publicity, another is to fool someone by hiring an actor to pretend he is in love with her. But Lola was sweet and unspoiled, without guile and obviously a very forgiving nature.

"Any girl can look glamorous. Stand still and look stupid."
--Hedy Lamarr

[–] shadycady 13 years ago

Harlow was fantastic in this film, and Tracy's character was manipulative and pushy. In real life, I would not think that she would fall for Space. He is basically a snake oil salesman.

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[–] pghardin 13 years ago

I thought Lee Tracy was the best part of the movie.

[–] shadycady 13 years ago

Lee Tracy was great in the movie. He played his character to the hilt. I wish he made more films.

The Divine Genealogy Goddess

[–] aldiboronti 11 years ago

Lee Tracy and Jean Harlow were dynamite together in this movie and their characters are absolutely perfect for each other.

[–] ginbelt 11 years ago

Agree -- the OP is outta their mind, Lee Tracy is a big part of why the movie is as good as it is. Without that pushy snake oil salesman to play against, where's the film? It's the conflict, and comedy, that ensues because of his machinations, that make the movie so hilarious!

He plays the same sort of character in every film I've seen the guy in, not to say that's a bad thing. He was a character actor who had his "niche". I loved him in Dinner at Eight, as well; the scene where he tells off a besotted but still full-of-himself John Barrymore is, imo, one of the great scenes of Hollywood's Golden Age...

[–] opryphantom1 10 years ago

1. Lee Tracy was the original "Hildy Johnson" on Broadway

2. Ya gotta see him in BLESSED EVENT where makes Winchell seem like a boy scout

3. In real life he *ruined his career by pissing on an Independence parade in Mexico. Seems there was a bit of tension at the American Consulate.

[–] AcademyAwardWinnerJordy 10 years ago

I think the big problem the OP has is she doesn't really believe Lola would forgive Space so quickly. She finds out he set her up in the worst way and not even a minute later they're in the car kissing? His whole job consisted of telling lies about the woman he supposedly loved. He won't ever stop and played her 'til the end.

Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation (Eat, Pray, Love)

[–] kenny-164 10 years ago

Part of the context for what appears to be Lola's too forgiving manner toward Space is that she is really surrounded by problematic people of varying sorts. I guess the studio boss Gillette (coincidentally NOT!) is the one portrayed as not really difficult toward her, although his mercenary interest in her should have been obvious to Lola. But was Space really qualitatively more difficult than several other characters?

Not to excuse him, ftr, but I think the film was not a send up only of publicists as it was of Hollywood as a whole, which is very much to its credit.

For all the technical problems and some really over the top acting, I gave it a 9, when it should more accurately have gotten a 8.5, but I am in a good mood. I laughed a good deal.

[–] AcademyAwardWinnerJordy 9 years ago

"But was Space really qualitatively more difficult than several other characters?
"

I would say so. She will always have to deal with her father and brother in some capacity. She can cut Space off and think nothing of it. When he cost her the baby and Lola sees him in action I wished she would have cut him loose.

Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation (Eat, Pray, Love)

[–] heyuactor 8 years ago

Lee Tracy's pushy publicist is incredibly obnoxious and comes close to ruining the picture for me.

Exactly.

The Maltese Falcon: https://youtu.be/hp7130Bjec4