|
|
The Jean Harlow Mural Website
This huge (almost 7x13 feet) mural gives a definitive glimpse at the greatness of MGM in the 1930's, but it is also a personal piece
from the life of Jean Harlow. The painting was a wedding gift to her from her husband, producer Paul Bern, and it dominated a large
portion of their home.
Below is a photo of the mural as it originally hung in the house that Paul Bern bought for Jean Harlow, later referred to as the "Death House". Photo courtesy of Marc Wanamaker at Bison Archives (http://bisonarchives.com/)
Below is a photo of the mural as it originally hung in the house that Paul Bern bought for Jean Harlow, later referred to as the "Death House". Photo courtesy of Marc Wanamaker at Bison Archives (http://bisonarchives.com/)
Jean Harlow is the focal point of the mural, but it also depicts her friends and co-workers;
arguably the most famous actors, writers, producers and directors from MGM during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Just a few months after they were married,during the Labor Day weekend of 1932, Paul Bern was found shot to death in their home. Found nude and drenched in Harlow's favorite perfume, Bern's death was a suicide according to the police, but a controversy to this day. To my knowledge, the painting has not been seen by the public since that date. The house itself has become known as the Death House of Benedict Canyon, and it is still designated as a 'haunted house' by Hollywood tour guides.
To get some succinct information about the relationship between
Bern and Harlow, and the mystery regarding his death, please see this link
http://www.prairieghosts.com/hollywood9.html
I should add a BIG thank you to Troy Taylor for this link. It is a condensed version of the controversial Bern suicide/murder story from his book titled "No Rest for the Wicked".
arguably the most famous actors, writers, producers and directors from MGM during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Just a few months after they were married,during the Labor Day weekend of 1932, Paul Bern was found shot to death in their home. Found nude and drenched in Harlow's favorite perfume, Bern's death was a suicide according to the police, but a controversy to this day. To my knowledge, the painting has not been seen by the public since that date. The house itself has become known as the Death House of Benedict Canyon, and it is still designated as a 'haunted house' by Hollywood tour guides.
To get some succinct information about the relationship between
Bern and Harlow, and the mystery regarding his death, please see this link
http://www.prairieghosts.com/hollywood9.html
I should add a BIG thank you to Troy Taylor for this link. It is a condensed version of the controversial Bern suicide/murder story from his book titled "No Rest for the Wicked".
A good photo of the painting in its current location that gives some perspective in terms of overall size. Please note the 'filler'
in the upper left portion of the canvas that corresponds to the location of the ceiling beam in the black & white picture at the
top of the page.
If you want more detailed information about Harlow's life at the time this painting was commissioned, I highly recommend that
you read David Stenn's book "Bombshell: the Life and Death of Jean Harlow" for two reasons. First, because it is just a great
book and will immerse you in the world of MGM as it was maturing with the advent of "talkies". And secondly, because it is
amazing how many of the people in the mural show up in his book. But then again, they were (for the most part) Jean Harlow's
friends or coworkers in the movie industry.
Shown (from the right:) Irene Harrison, Gene Markey, Bebe Daniels, Lawrence Tibbett, John Gilbert, Carey
Wilson, Irene (Mayer) Selznick, Jean Harlow, Irving Thalberg, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, David O.
Selznick, B.P. Fineman, Edmund Goulding, Ben Lyon, Willis Goldbeck, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Copyright 2009 by San Diego Bay Photos and Bill Lewis
All rights reserved
For information regarding the protection, purchase, or exhibition of the mural, please email bill@jeanharlowmural.net
Or call 619 504 0772
The Ultimate Hollywood Collectible
All rights reserved
For information regarding the protection, purchase, or exhibition of the mural, please email bill@jeanharlowmural.net
Or call 619 504 0772
The Ultimate Hollywood Collectible
Another shameless link to our other sites
Boating Photo-of-the-Day
USA Photo-of-the-Day
"Surprise" Photo-of-the-Day
Boating Photo-of-the-Day
USA Photo-of-the-Day
"Surprise" Photo-of-the-Day
Love Photos? Visit the Photo of the Day Group