Red Dust (1932): Hot Harlow and Hunky Gable

Good pre-code movies can be very, very good; and this is one of those.  Starring Jean Harlow, Clark Gable (pre-pencil mustache) and Mary Astor, this film is hot and sweaty, figuratively and literally – set on a remote rubber plantation in Indochina, a few days’ journey upriver from Saigon (pronounced ‘Say-gahn’, for some reason).  Gable and Harlow made a total of six motion pictures together, and this is the first one where they really clicked.

Gable is the tough, macho-masculine, brutally handsome owner and overseer of the plantation.  Harlow is a slut on the lam from the police down river, who arrives unbidden on the weekly supply boat – sexy, slinky, wisecracking and endearingly straightforward.  Things seem pretty cozy until Mary Astor shows up as the beautiful, upper class wife of the new engineer (Gene Raymond) Gable has hired. Gable falls for her and sets out to seduce her away from her husband.

The performances here showcase the stars at their best. Gable is an amoral beast. Harlow is a luscious and funny vamp. Astor tries to be good, but succumbs to the climate and Gable’s charms.

Directed by Victor Fleming (Gone With The Wind, The Wizard of Oz), the story flies along, and it’s an easy thing to be swept right along with it. There are sudden violent thunderstorms, wind/dust storms (thus the title, I guess), and tigers. Regrettably, there are also some mistreated “lazy” natives and some disturbing racism, but this is not uncommon during this time period.

Mostly, though,  there is lust, passion, a very hunky Clark Gable and some pretty funny lines courtesy of the great Harlow.  This picture is one of her best, along with Dinner at Eight and Red Headed Woman. If you’re not familiar with Harlow, you are in for a treat, and those three films are a pretty good place to start.

Red Dust is definitely worth a look-see, and at a mere 83 minutes, it’ll fit into almost any weeknight schedule.

Available on Xfinity OnDemand or streaming from Vudu, and at better video stores.