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Cast

Myrna Loy
as Connie Allenbury

William Powell
as Bill Chandler

Spencer Tracy
as Warren Haggerty

Jean Harlow
as Gladys

Walter Connolly
as Allenbury

Charley Grapewin
as Mr. Bane

Cora Witherspoon
as Mrs. Burns-Norvell

E.E. Clive
as Fishing Instructor

Bunny Beatty
as Babs

Otto Yamaoka
as Ching

Charles Trowbridge
as Graham

Spencer Charters
as Magistrate McCall

George Chandler
as Bellhop

Greta Meyer
as Connie's Maid

William 'Billy' Benedict
as Joe

Hal K. Dawson
as Harvey Allen

Fred Graham
as Press Man

William Stack
as Editor

Selmer Jackson
as Adams, Editor of Washington Chronicle

William Newell
as Divorce Detective

Duke York
as Taxi Driver

Pat West
as Detective

Edwin Stanley
as Clerk

Wally Maher
as Photographer

Pinky Parker
as Photographer

Harry Lash
as Photographer

Pat Somerset
as Photographer

Selmar Jackson
as Adams, Editor of Washington Chronicle

Tom Mahoney
as Alex

Richard Tucker
as Barker

Libby Taylor
as Tiny, Gladys' Maid

Eric Lonsdale
as Reporter

Olaf Hytten
as Reporter

Charles Irwin
as Steward

Eddie Shubert
as Mac, the Circulation Editor

George Davis
as Waiter

Thomas Pogue
as Minister

Myra Marsh
as Secretary

Hattie McDaniel
as Maid in Hall

Howard Hickman
as Cable Editor

James T. Mack
as Pop

Jack Mulhall
as Barker

Dennis O'Keefe
as Barker

Charles King
as Barker

Nick Thompson
as Hot Dog Stand Man

Inez Palange
as Fortune Teller

Harry C. Bradley
as Justice of Peace

Bodil Rosing
as Wife of Justice of Peace

Barnett Parker
as Butler

Robin Adair
as Palmer, the English Reporter

Charles Croker King
as Charles Archibald, the Lawyer

Sherry Hall
as Denver Courier Editor

Norman Ainsley

Alphonse Martell
as Table Captain

Eric Wilton
as Steward on Dock

Jay Eaton
as Dance Extra

Ralph Brooks
as Dance Extra

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Critic Reviews for Libeled Lady

Audience Reviews for Libeled Lady

• Feb 01, 2017

  This movie features Hollywood royalty in 1936: Jean Harlow, Myrna Loy, William Powell, and Spencer Tracy - that's quite a cast. And it's an interesting premise: Loy is the daughter of a rich businessman who is suing Spencer Tracy's newspaper for libel. Tracy is about to get married to Harlow, but puts off the wedding in order to deal with that, and turns to Powell to 'make it go away'. Their plan is to have Powell get on a ship crossing the ocean that he knows Loy and her father will be on, seduce her into getting into a compromising position, and then have someone burst in on them so that they can threaten her with a suit of their own. To make that work, Powell first gets married to Harlow, so that Loy would be subject to an "alienation of affection" lawsuit (a law that has since been abolished in most but not all states). Harlow isn't happy, but goes along with that because of Tracy's predicament, and because she knows she can later get a divorce. Not surprisingly, things don't go as planned. I loved the banter between Loy and Powell, as she dislikes him at the outset, and suspects he's scheming at something, she's just not sure what. The fishing trip she and her father take him on has some priceless slapstick comedy from Powell, and it's fun to see Loy out there fishing. Things get complicated as Harlow begins falling for Powell, and the movie finishes strong, with a nice twist in what is a great final scene. The movie was worthy of its nomination for Best Picture, but it was in a year when another Powell/Loy vehicle would win it ("The Great Ziegfeld"). It's a bit odd to me that it's considered a "screwball comedy"; I don't think that's the right designation at all, but it's fun, will make you smile, and is definitely worth watching.
  Antonius B Super Reviewer
• Nov 25, 2013

  A great madcap comedy with its characters in a whirlwind to prevent a libel suit. Jean Harlow, Spencer Tracy and Bill Powell up the ante on the screwball by playing off of each other marvelously.
  

  John B Super Reviewer
• Sep 07, 2011

  Altho billed with Harlow as the star don't t be fooled. Powell and Loy had already struck box office gold 2 years previously with The Thin Man and so this is really their movie, the studio cashing in on their undenible chemistry together. Harlow and Tracy are only second bananas in this poor second cousin to a screwball comedy. Harlow is in fact wasted as a shrew while Tracy fares only a little better as a foil to Powell. Ultimately a disappointment though.
  Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
• Feb 07, 2011

  right up there with the classic screwball comedies. no idea why it isn't more well known. scenes between powell and tracy are pure gold
  Stella D Super Reviewer

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