75 Years Ago, Saying Good-bye to Jean Harlow
75 years ago today, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard attended the funeral of 26 year old Jean Harlow. Jean was a dear friend of Clark’s. They starred together in The Secret Six, Red Dust, Hold Your Man, China Seas, Wife vs. Secretary and Saratoga. He loved her lack of pretense and how casual and free spirited she was. While everyone else called her “The Baby,” he called her “Sis.” Theirs was not a romantic relationship; he was like her protective older brother. They were filming Saratoga together when, after weeks of looking bloated and feeling fatigued, she collapsed on the set. She died just a few days later.
Carole Lombard never co-starred with Jean, sadly, but she was very fond of her. At the time of her death, Jean was dating William Powell, Carole’s ex-husband. In fact, the two couples had double-dated to the Academy Awards just a few months prior.
The studio decided to scrap Saratoga altogether but fans and theater owners pressured MGM to release The Baby’s last film. Various stand-ins were used for Jean and her voice, and many of her lines were given to supporting players. Clark said that working with the stand-in was like “holding a ghost.” Saratoga became one of the highest grossing films of the year.
A moment of silence was observed at 9:00am at all the Hollywood studios on the morning of the funeral–June 9, 1937. The funeral service was held at Forest Lawn Glendale, in the Wee Kirk o’Heather Chapel and Louis B. Mayer made sure it was a grand event. Fans clamoured at the gates of the cemetary and photographers scaled fences. The lawn was covered in flowers that had overflowed from inside the chapel. Clark served as a pallbearer and usher and Carole saved him a seat. All of Hollywood turned out to say goodbye to Jean, with 250 mourners packing into the small chapel. Jeanette MacDonald sang Jean’s favorite song, “Indian Love Call” and dueted with Nelson Eddy on “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life.”
The grand spectacle of Jean’s funeral led Carole Lombard to tell Clark to make sure that when her time came it was not an elaborate circus. Clark obeyed her wishes.
Jean’s elaborate marble crypt in the Sanctuary of Benediction inside the Great Mausoluem, Forest Lawn Glendale cost William Powell a reported $25,000.
It is gorgeous, with a bench and its own stained glass skylight. There are three spaces in the crypt, Jean’s is simply marked “Our Baby.”
Her neighbor was Irving Thalberg and she was just a few yards away from her co-star in Dinner at Eight, Marie Dressler. In the years that followed, the hallway completely filled up, with Red Skelton, Norma Shearer and Sid Grauman joining. William Powell’s parents were also entombed in this hallway. Jean’s mother,”Mama Jean,” occupies one of the other spaces in the crypt, but the third is empty–forever. Many speculate that Powell intended that space for himself. If so, it didn’t come to fruition, for he is buried in Cathedral City next to his son and his widow.
It’s amazing how Jean died at such a young age, so early in her career, but yet she resonates with so many people. Marilyn Monroe, Mamie Van Doren and Carole Landis, famous blondes in their own right, all named her as an influence. She was young, sweet and caring–completely the anti-diva, and was at the beginning of a new page in her career when her life was suddenly whisked away. Jean is truly a reminder that life is short and to make the most of every day.
I have no doubt that Clark was thinking of Jean when he later said:
“That’s what’s so strange about life. The brave ones don’t make it.”
Rest in peace, Sis.
*Pics of present-day Forest Lawn Glendale taken by me, October 2011.
35 Comments
Ginny
How sad to have died so young. I have not yet seen Saratoga, but really would like to see it now. Excellent write-up.
Jennifer H.
I know Im a bit late in writing a reply to one of my favorite gals. A beautiful & yet sad story, it was put together wonderfully M! I played Indian Love Call the other day & cried for Jean, knowing that was one of her favorite songs. At her funeral, Jeanette could not continue singing, she was too overwhelemed with tears, Nelson Eddy had kept on & sang it. I wonder if the song meant anything to Jean, was it to someone, or did she just really like it just for the lyrics & music? I cried because I felt it was to Powell & how he did not want to marry her….. That was so sad. RIP Jean. Still love ya & watch your movies often. 🙂 Thanks for putting this wonderful memory of Jean on your site. (Being Clark & Jean were like sister & brother!)
Diane M
I have wondered for years how she died. I believed it was due to her mothers refusal to have her treated. I thank you for setting me straight. It was a truly horrid way to die.I wonder if it’s true that the dyeing of her hair caused her kidneys to fail?
To die so young is atrocious. She certainly had a full life for one to have died at 26.
Iona Tokahere
I have always had a fascination with the Hollywood movie legends of their time and jean Harlow was one of the first who really drew my attention. My sister and I used to send away for all the famous stars autographs and photos when in our early teens. I am glad that I finally got to read this story of her and how sad her death was, I had actually read that her mother had refused to get her medical aid as well, I am glad this is not so.
Sherrie Scallan
if dying of the hair was at fault, we would all be dead.
Anthony
Rest in peace, sweet mystery of life.
Donnell Harbolt l
The m watching Saratoga now on amc
Mariann Pepitone
I believe her mother controlled her too much advising her what to do, what to eat and who to date. Plus the wrong doctors. No one knows what she really died from but its possible bleaching the hair too much could cause infections. She could have made many movies if she had lived. There is no question she was a beautiful woman and its sad that she died so young.
Kelley
She took some horrible beatings from Paul Bern and they damaged her kidneys. I the end she died from uremic poisoning. She may have been saved but her mother was a foolish Christian Scientist and denied her medical care for days before the studio overrode her and ordered her to a hospital. It was too late, sadly. Only 27.
John Spahn
Beautiful website. Say Hello to Jean Harlow Sunday Aug 7, 2016. This is JH day on TCM. Watch many of her films. Also, you can read her autobiography free on Kindle from midnight Friday Aug 5-midnight Sunday Aug 7, 2016 (The Girl From Missouri).(If you want to know the real Jean Harlow).
Karen K Hatcher
I am 63, and she “Jean” reminds me of honesty, descent, human behavior. How sad she is not here. No one like her, not even Norma Jean. Too fake for my standards. Played off other great actresses standards. So sorry I couldn’t have met her. Beauty before bounty. Poverty for me, but who cares? Sincerely, Karen H.
Jerry
Truly a remarkable young lady, beautiful and talented and kind. I’ am glad she was loved by Mr. William Powell and love like a sister by Mr. Clark Gable. RIP Ms. Harlow you are still thought of and it is 2016.
Laura M
I have some wonderful pics of the interior of this chapel, if anyone is interested in seeing them, I will forward.
Lovely Jean, you are a star that shines forever brightly.
Bruce Bosche
Just finished watching Red Dust and Saratoga, both very good movies. Sometimes the stars that shine so brightly, go out too quickly, especially when it is someone loved by all
like Jean Harlow. She was truly a beauty in every way. God rest your soul.
Bruce B.
linda hull
I have read all the books on jean harlow, and the one thing that i came away with about her is that everyone who knew her adored her. She was said to be a darling of a lady. So sad that she left to soon.
Steve Weiser
I think of the scene in Red Dust where Jean pulls the biscuit apart and it reminds her of the rubber made in the the plantation she fictionally stays at…that scene seemed to be her real humor and not acting.What a beautiful smile!
Holly
I’ve been a fan of jean Harlow since I was 17 (I’m 58). I’ve seen just about every movie available, including Double Whoopie. It has always been so sad to me that she died So young. I went to Forest Lawn once, but couldnt find her crypt, then they almost locked us in the cemetery. I hope to go back one day and find her actual resting place. Beautifyl Jean Harlow.
Ken
Jean Harlow died of kidney failure. They did not have dialysis back then so nothing could be done to save her.
Walter T. Solley
I’ve been catching up on all the Gable-Harlow pairings, and what wonderful films they are. There is nothing like their star power today. Last night I watched “Red Dust”, and tonight “Saratoga”. “Red Dust” is a classic, and “Saratoga” is so delightful that I didn’t want it to end. I’ve just discovered your website and can’t wait to explore it more.
Susan-a fan
❤
Paul Carmichael
This has turned out to be one of the saddest cases of Hollywood. I have been one of her fans for many years based on my readings about her. I did not know that Bern was a bully to her and cruel. I was familiar with her mother’s relationship to her. My greatest misgivens about her mom is that from all accounts she may have been saved from the illness if her mom had taken her on to the hospital when she was first stricken sick. So sad. I know that Powell really cared for her. I know that those who knew her felt a grace loss. God Bless you Jean Harlow.💐💐✝️📖❤️
Ann Bechtold
Jean died of kidney disease. Her mother did not prevent Jean from getting treatment. Sadly kidney disease was not understood well back then. Jean was misdiagnosed by a doctor and by the time it was realized that something was seriously wrong it was too late. Jean apparently had been experiencing symptoms for that last year but they were vague and she likely just felt that she was run down and there was no cause for alarm. Also her kidney disease had nothing to do with bleaching her hair. What some don’t realize is that Jean had returned to her natural honey blonde hair shade before her death. She was no longer having it dyed platinum. Nor did Jean receive beatings from Paul Bern. That was more rubbish created for the book written in the 1960’s. That trash book and the two film s made based on the book’s fiction, damaged Jean’s reputation. Unfortunately people are still believing many of these lies today.
Anna
Hi there, how did you get access to see her grave, though? I went to Forest Lawn twice and there are chains or fences in front of the entrances to both Gable and Harlow, and neither was I allowed to take any pics inside of the mausoleum.
Steven M
I echo all the beautiful sentiments expressed here in honor of a Divine actress, and from all accounts, Human Being. About to watch “Wife vs. Secretary for the first time. No doubt her unique timing, and wise cracking sultriness will be on display, as it always is with Gable. Her Legend lives on, and I’m happy to join others in remembering this Marvelous, and Cherished Movie Legend.
Patricia Blackshaw
I watched a film last night about Jean Harlow and know some of it was not true with reading about her life. I have been looking at the many pictures of her. What a lovely girl she was and how awful to die so young but medicine back then was not too advanced. She was a beauty for sure inside and out from what people said about her. RIP Jean, just wish you had had a long life. xxx
PJ
Rest in Peace, Sweet Jean x
scott E weaver
i love you Jean
Margaret
RIP Jean, u’ll always be beautiful🙏🏼❤️🌹
Janet
Such a tragic end for such a young & beautiful woman. Watching the biopic “Harlow” tonight on TV’s Talking Pictures channel I felt driven to Google more about her. I wish more could have been done for her illness & potentially saved her life but so much of everyday medicine today was unknown then. Rest easy lovely lady, I’m so sorry you were taken too early & way too young xx
Eduardo Frias
Estamos en 2021 tengo toda la filmografía de ésta irrepetible actriz inspiradora de muchas estrellas de cine posteriores. La admiro desde que tenía 13 años ( tengo ahora 55). Me reafirmo en que la madre fue culpable de que no recibiese la atención médica de inmediato ( se desmayó en el plató el sábado 29 de junio y no fue llevada al hospital hasta el el viernes 4 de junio) ese intervalo estuvo en casa y la madre impidió que nadie la viese. Y SI Paul Bern le propinó una brutal paliza su noche de bodas. También padeció de escarlatina en 1925.. hoy se sabe que esa enfermedad daña los riñones. Descansa en Paz mi adorada actriz.
hzlrobin
Antibiotics were not intro-duced for infections until wwII. Therefore, any kind serious infection and especially the one Jean had there was nothing that could be done.
GURMUKH SINGH
Amazing write-up.
Robert Jimenez
Unbeknownst to me, from the moment I first saw and heard this exquisite mythical goddess speak, Jean Harlow’s mystique would forever haunt me. It is a quite a testament to her artistry as an actress and beautiful human being that she continues to live through her hallowed films and mesmerize new generational legions of devoted fans.
Dan
By all accounts this was a great loss to Hollywood. I often wonder what she could have done in pictures had she lived 🙁
Mark G
Still hard to believe that Harlow accomplished all she did at such a young age. Incredible aching ability with such a strong comedic ability. Such a tragedy to be taken so young. She had decades of great performances left in her.