Flashback 1930: Jean Harlow vs Clara BowWith the dawning of the age of the talking picture, Clara Bow's position as the biggest star in Hollywood had become precarious. But while the fate of her film career may be out of her hands, her position as the most successful catfighter in Hollywood was something she most definitely could control. She was on top of the mountain, and that's just where she intended to stay.
But not if Jean Harlow had anything to say about it. The newcomer had taken Tinsel Town by storm with "Hell's Angels"...the kind of sexy, sensual role that once would have automatically gone to Bow. Now, all of Hollywood was electric in anticipation of the battle between the It Girl and the Platinum Blonde. And en epic battle it proved to be, as red-haired Clara fought brilliantly, but golden-tressed Jean matched her brilliance. As the struggle wore on, all of their manufactured gossamer glamour fell aside, and the two Hollywood goddesses gave way to Clara from Brooklyn and Jean from Kansas City, street brawlers at heart.
After a bruising battle, Bow sought to finish off Harlow, who lay prone on her back, seemingly stunned. The redhead leapt into the air, aiming her curvaceous body to splash down across her rival, slamming the air out of her. But at the last instant the blonde managed to roll out of the way, and Clara belly-flopped upon the carpeted floor; there she lay, dazed and gasping for air, as the panting Jean got to all fours and crawled over to her adversary. Moments later, Harlow had snared Bow in a combination bodyscissors and reverse chokehold, her shapely legs tightening around her victim's waist, crushing her, while her arm across Clara's alabaster throat kept the embattled redhead from drawing a decent breath. Bow thrashed frantically, but to no avail, while Jean gave a smug smile and a malicious chuckle. "You're finished, bitch," Harlow purred. "'It' can't stand up to platinum." Finally, Bow's movements slowed to languid squirming, until at last her eyelids fluttered shut and she was driven unconscious and into defeat.
And Hollywood had its new Queen.