Bombshell

Released Oct 13, 1933

1h 35m

Comedy

List

90%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

76%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

Film starlet Lola Burns (Jean Harlow) is tired of her money-grubbing father (Frank Morgan) and her scandal-chasing publicist E.J. "Space" Hanlon (Lee Tracy). After being unable to adopt a child due to Hanlon's interference, Lola flees movie stardom and meets Gifford Middleton (Franchot Tone), a millionaire who doesn't know of her fame. Just when marriage seems right around the corner for the new couple, Lola discovers that her past won't be as easy to forget as she'd like.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Sep 30, 2004

Full Review

Pare Lorentz

Vanity Fair

One of the funniest pictures of the year.

Jun 6, 2019

Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies

Surprising for something so mean-spirited to have come so early in the Dream Factory's saga of self-loathing, and even more surprising because it seems so heartfelt.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 20, 2008

Full Review

Beth Accomando

KPBS.org

Rated: 2/5

Jan 17, 2008

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Harlow gives a star quality comedy turn that's spoiled only by too much speechifying on her part.

Rated: B

Jan 21, 2007

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 25, 2005

Full Review

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CodyZamboni

Amusing, fast paced satire on Hollywood and the PR machine, Jean Harlow appears to be having a good time, spoofing her image, and sending up actual productions like Red Dust. It was also nice of the film to examine the incredible fan adoration of movie stars in the 1930s,

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/23

Full Review

william d

A fast paced, fast talking screwball comedy form the 30s that is not particularly funny. However, the dialog is sharp and Jean Harlow is always a joy to watch. Recommended,

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

peter w

The fast-paced and witty dialogue is part of a long Hollywood satire genre that continues to this day in shows like Bojack Horseman.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Tom M

The male protaganist is a manipulative, deplorable creep. Most of the dialogue is yelled or screamed. Harlow is the only reason this film is still run on TV.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Great Jean Harlow movie. With Frank Morgan, Francois Latone

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/16/20

Full Review

Audience Member

A gem. Must see movie during the pre-code Hollywood era.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

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Victor Fleming

Director

Jean Harlow

Lola Burns

Lee Tracy

E.J."Space"Hanlon

Franchot Tone

Gifford Middleton

Frank Morgan

Pops Burns

Una Merkel

Mac

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Synopsis

Film starlet Lola Burns (Jean Harlow) is tired of her money-grubbing father (Frank Morgan) and her scandal-chasing publicist E.J. "Space" Hanlon (Lee Tracy). After being unable to adopt a child due to Hanlon's interference, Lola flees movie stardom and meets Gifford Middleton (Franchot Tone), a millionaire who doesn't know of her fame. Just when marriage seems right around the corner for the new couple, Lola discovers that her past won't be as easy to forget as she'd like.

Director: Victor Fleming
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 1933, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 35m

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