Clara Bow (1905?-1965) was one of America's first film sex symbols, known as the "It Girl." Her personality, coltish appearance, and devil-may-care lifestyle may have been more important in her film career than her acting ability; her screen presence could not be denied and she became the ultimate flapper of 1920s films. Her personal life was a subject of much discussion and she had a reputation for various sexual indiscretions -- much of unfounded or unproven; she negotiated her first contract with Paramount to not have a morals clause, which did not help the rumor mill. Supposedly, she was raped by her father when she was 16 and her mother institutionalized, although she had a warm relationship with her father for much of his life. Bow was one of the WAMPUS Baby Stars of 1924 and was engaged to marry actor Gilbert Roland in 1925. When she finally married, it was to rancher Rex Bell, later Lieutenant Governor of Nevada. Later in life, she had psychiatric issues and attempted suicide in 1944. She was institutionalized in 1949 and never returned to her family when she was released. She lived alone in a culver city bungalow for the rest of her life, latterly under the constant care of a nurse. She died at age sixty from a heart attack.
Bow starred with Richard Arlen and Kay Francis (in her first Hollywood film) in Dangerous Curves, directed by Lothar Mendes, adapted by Donald Davis and Florence Ryerson from a story by Lester Cohen, with additional dialogue by Viola Brothers Shore. Bow plays Pat Delaney, an circus bareback rider who is in love with Larry Lee (Arlen), the arrogant trapeze artist and the circus's most popular act. Lee, however, is smitten with Zara (Francis), who is just using him for what she get. when he finds out that Zara has been messing with another man, Lee flies into a rage and beats his rival. Unfortunately, Lee has to perform immediately after, but has lost his concentration and falls. Lee is briefly hospitalized and soon leaves the circus, his confidence shaken, and turns to drink. Pat finds him and convinced him to start a high wire act with her. But Lee's talent is gone...for the moment. Slowly the talent returns and Lee tries to convince Zara to join him in his act. Pat flees in tears and misses her performance and is fired. Zara runs off with her boyfriend and Lee gets drunk. Pat disguises herself as Lee and performs his act posing as him. Lee appreciates it. Could this be the start of something big?
A mawkish drama made palatable by Clara Bow's presence.
Give it a try:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFFNJNQe9lU&list=PLk2PLIM4DugyCGaumm5JKhM2hj8b5d-sj&index=2
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