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Red-Headed Woman

Red-Headed Woman
Redheadedwoman1932.jpg
Poster
Directed by Jack Conway
Produced by Paul Bern
Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald (uncredited)
Screenplay by Anita Loos
Based on Red-Headed Woman
by Katherine Brush
Starring Jean Harlow
Chester Morris
Lewis Stone
Charles Boyer
Una Merkel
Music by Richard A. Whiting
Raymond B. Egan
Cinematography Harold Rosson
Edited by Blanche Sewell
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • June 25, 1932 (1932-06-25) (United States)
Running time
79 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Red-Headed Woman is a 1932 American Pre-Code romantic comedy film, produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, based on a novel of the same name by Katherine Brush, and with a screenplay by Anita Loos. It was directed by Jack Conway, and stars Jean Harlow as a woman who uses sex to advance her social position. During the course of the film, Harlow breaks up a marriage, has multiple affairs and pre-marital sex, and attempts to kill a man.

Lilian 'Lil' Andrews (Harlow) is a young woman who will do anything to improve herself. She seduces her wealthy boss William 'Bill' Legendre Jr. (Chester Morris) and cleverly breaks up his marriage with his loving wife Irene (Leila Hyams). Irene reconsiders and tries to reconcile with Bill, only to find he has married Lil the previous day.

However, Lil finds herself shunned by high society, including Bill's father, Will Legendre, Sr. (Lewis Stone), because of her lower-class origins and homewrecking. When Charles B. Gaerste (Henry Stephenson), a nationally known coal tycoon and the main customer of the Legendres' company, visits the city, Lil thinks she has found a way to force her way into the highest social circles. She seduces him, then blackmails him into throwing a party at her mansion, knowing that no one would dare offend him by not showing up. It seems like a social coup for Lil, until her hairdresser friend and confidante Sally (Una Merkel) points out that all the guests have left early to attend a surprise party for Irene (who lives across the street).

Humiliated, she decides to move to New York City, even if it means a temporary separation from her husband. Will finds Lil's handkerchief at Gaerste's place and correctly guesses what Lil has done. He shows his evidence to his son, who hires detectives to watch Lil. They find that she is conducting not one, but two affairs, with Charles and his handsome French chauffeur Albert (Charles Boyer). Bill shows Charles damning photographs.


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