Jean Harlow was a gifted comedienne, but not noted for either her singing or her dancing. Thus, MGM cast her as Mona Leslie, a nightclub singer and dancer in 1935's "Reckless." To establish Mona's claim to fame, the rehearsal of a lavish nightclub number, which is set to Jerome Kern's "Reckless," is depicted. The gargantuan production features dozens of performers, several enormous sets, and impossible hairstyle and costume changes that defy logic. Worse, Harlow's painfully obvious lip-synching and clumsy attempts at dancing, which are inter-cut with an actual dancer's movements, only emphasis the credibility problems. Kern's lackluster song does not help either, falling flat to the ears.
If audiences expected a light comedy with music, considering the off-screen romance of the Powell-Harlow pairing, they were disappointed. Teamed with William Powell as Ned Riley, Mona's theatrical agent, and Franchot Tone as Bob Harrison, a wealthy playboy, Harlow is the apex of a romantic triangle that has tragic consequences. Although neither breaks any new ground, William Powell and May Robson come off best; Powell plays a sober repeat of his Nick Charles persona from "The Thin Man," and Robson is the tough but kindly old lady that she trademarked. Franchot Tone is competent as the smitten patrician, except during his unconvincing drunken bouts, and Harlow is out of her depth in a dramatic role. However, future stars, Rosalind Russell and Mickey Rooney, shine in small roles.
Directed by Victor Fleming, "Reckless" is a disappointment given the promise of the cast and David O. Selznick's credit for writing the story, which was based on a tabloid scandal of the period. The singing and dancing are difficult to watch and would generate giggles, if viewers were not embarrassed for Harlow's ineptness. Even fans of Harlow may want to skip this misfire and revel in one of her better films such as "Dinner at Eight," "Bombshell," or "Libeled Lady." The film reportedly lost money at the box-office, and the reasons for the red ink are evident on the screen.
