Red Headed Woman (1932)

Part of our series Wild, Weird, Wicked: Films from Before the Code!

The legendary Jean Harlow delivers a star-making performance in this provocative pre-Hayes Code comedy as a charming gold digger who sleeps her way to fortune. Secretary Lillian Andrews sets her sights on her boss, eventually luring him away from his happy marriage to his childhood sweetheart. But instead of making a big splash in society, she is rejected. After casting her attention on a coal king, Lillian realizes that she loves her French chauffeur (Charles Boyer). The film is often cited as one of the motion pictures that brought about more stringent censorship. We’ll leave it to you to decide why.

Scripted by the great Anita Loos (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes)!