I will have to part ways with those here who say that Jean Harlow probably wouldn't have stuck around. Everyone speaks of other sex symbols replacing her, which is true - this is a given, BUT, keep in mind that Jean Harlow had already left the platinum bombshell sex-symbol thing behind by the time she made "Riff-Raff" in 1936. The brassy platinum blonde had been retired. The films that followed it - Personal Prpoerty, Wife vs. Secretary, Libeled Lady, and the ill-fated Saratoga all catered to Jean as a comedienne and light dramatic actress (so much potential there in Wife vs. Secretary). The emergence of Rita, Lana, Betty, Veronica, and the others would've made little difference as Jean had already vacated the sex symbol position, and guess what? Her films made more money than they did when she was Vantine, Lola Burns, Lil Andrews, and Kitty Packard. Jean was immensely popular when she died, and I doubt she would've merely faded away as a has been..I just don't see it. What I possibly could've envisioned was here retiring after the war to settle down and likely raise a family which is what she really wanted anyway. Like Garbo, I believe Jean would've went out on top and would've been pursued well into old age. Jean was special - a goddess. I run into so many young people today who really like her, and I am always impressed how a sex symbol who died in 1937 could be so influential well into the 21st century. With singer Gwen Stefani playing her in Scorsese's fortcoming film, things can only get better. Excellent topic btw.
These are my thoughts,
Reg
