
Libeled Lady
1936, Comedy, 1h 38m
14 Reviews 2,500+ RatingsYou might also like
Where to watch
Show all servicesLibeled Lady Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Gladys Benton
Warren Haggerty
Connie Allenbury
Bill Chandler
James B. Allenbury
Hollis Bane, Owner NY Evening Star
Critic Reviews for Libeled Lady
All Critics (14) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (2)
-
More intriguing for behind-the-scenes gossip than its rather familiar screwball comedy machinations.
March 3, 2005 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review… -
Quote not available.
March 20, 2003 | Rating: 5/5 -
Earns its keep simply for the moment when Loy, expecting Powell to describe her eyes in gushing terms, is instead startled when he remarks that they look like "angry marbles."
November 27, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review… -
Perplexing marital arrangements neatly unknot themselves into satisfactory, insinuated agreements.
July 27, 2020 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review… -
A four-ace cast in a scrambled-couple farce.
May 4, 2020 | Full Review… -
Four bright stars (Myrna Loy, William Powell, Jean Harlow, Spencer Tracy) in a picture that gives them lots of chance to shine.
July 23, 2019 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Libeled Lady
-
Feb 01, 2017This 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, 2013A 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, 2011Altho 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, 2011right up there with the classic screwball comedies. no idea why it isn't more well known. scenes between powell and tracy are pure goldStella D Super Reviewer
Libeled Lady Quotes
Connie Allenbury: | You can't build a life on hate, or a marriage on spite. Marriage is too important. Mine only lasted an hour, but... I know |
Connie Allenbury: | You can't build a life on hate, or a marriage on spite. Marriage is too important. Mine only lasted an hour, but... I know. |
Magistrate McCall: | Well I hope you'll be very happy and don't forget to invite me to your silver anniversary. |
Gladys Benton: | It'll have to be in the next six weeks! |
Gladys Benton: | Can't you go any faster? |
Taxi Driver: | I can, but the cab can't. |
Harvey Allen: | What'll we use for a headline? |
Warren Haggerty: | I don't care. Anything. "War threatens Europe!" |
Movie & TV guides
About Tomatometer
The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review
About Audience Score
The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher.
Verified