Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953).

Review #2549: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Cast: 

Jane Russell (Dorothy Shaw), Marilyn Monroe (Lorelei Lee), Charles Coburn (Sir Francis "Piggy" Beekman), Elliott Reid (Ernie Malone), Tommy Noonan (Gus Esmond Jr), George Winslow (Henry Spofford III), Marcel Dalio (the magistrate), Taylor Holmes (Mr. Esmond Sr), Norma Varden (Lady Beekman), and Howard Wendell (Watson) Directed by Howard Hawks (#951 - The Big Sleep, #1352 - His Girl Friday, #1399 - Rio Bravo, #1687 - O. Henry's Full House, #1773 - Red River, #2060 - Bringing Up Baby)

Review: 

Sure, Howard Hawks made a musical. Apparently, Hawks had one more film he owed to 20th Century Fox, so it fell to this. The film is based on the 1949 Broadway musical of the same name (with the book by Joseph Fields and Anita Loos, lyrics by Leo Robin, and music by Jule Styne), which in turn was based on the hit 1925 novel (originally serialized as sketches in Harper's Bazaar) that had been written by Anita Loos about, well, a blonde gold-digger and a flapper. Sure, the film was not going to retain the original Broadway duo of Carol Channing and Yvonne Adair as the two stars, because Fox wanted Betty Grable and Ginger Rogers, but what they saw from Niagara (1953) with Monroe led to them going with her. Hawks stated he did none of the production numbers on purpose, which were staged by Jack Cole, once called the "the Father of Theatrical Jazz Dance"; he ultimately worked with Monroe on several films all the way to his last with Let's Make Love [1960]. In his book Hawks on Hawks, he described Monroe as "the most frightened little girl who had no confidence in her ability", with filming basically relying on the patience of Hawks and Russell, although he said he did have fun on the film. In 1955, United Artists released Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (as based on, what else, an Anita Loos novel) that had Russell in a different role paired with Jeanne Crain that had Cole involved but with Richard Sale as director, which did not end up as a major success.

This is one of those movies that I find myself waffling over how good it is, mainly because my patience for musicals is not nearly as great as I wish it was (I think when I was younger I never really got off the high of Singin' in the Rain). With this movie, it rides well on the shenanigans from a fairly game duo of leading women that make worthwhile friends from the jump that is far more curious than, say, seeing where the actual ending goes. It zips along with a few musical numbers of varying quality (mostly good, but I think we know which one is the most discussed) that has some glamour (along with mostly authentic singing* from the actual stars) for 91 minutes. To be honest, for me, Russell is the more interesting of the two leads when it comes to timing*, because she is quite funny without having to strain at actually having fun with the people around her or the good friendship with Monroe, because they exchange the type of pleasantries and hijinks that is alluringly curious. Monroe is just as fun, a real go-getter with the natural ability to just exude bubbly charm without being swallowed up in ditzy generalizations, which helps when considering the ditzy qualities that actually around with the prominent men in the film (Reid, Coburn, Noonan, although at least Holmes is supposed to be stuffy and Winslow, well, he's a kid). Basically, both Russell and Monroe glide through the film as if they were laughing the whole way through. Hell, they both get to do renditions of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" (Russell in a wig for a delightfully funny scene near the end and, well, you know the sequence with Monroe in a pink dress), what's not to like? The diamonds may be somebody's best friend, but it's the dynamic between the two in that authentic sense of self that makes it all go together far more than wondering what the fuss about tiaras are about. As a whole, it's basically a movie that freewheels on the charm of Russell and Monroe with a few fine songs and some sparkly glamour to basically ride to the finish line with excitement for those who buy into its charms.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Song of the day (obvious choice)!

*Yes, the last musical I saw in theaters was Cats (2019), why do you ask?

*Varied claims say that Gloria Wood and Marni Nixon provided a bit of help with "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"

The Seven Year Itch.

Review #1390: The Seven Year Itch.

Cast: 
Marilyn Monroe (The Girl), Tom Ewell (Richard Sherman), Evelyn Keyes (Helen Sherman), Sonny Tufts (Tom MacKenzie), Robert Strauss (Kruhulik), Oscar Homolka (Dr. Brubaker), Marguerite Chapman (Miss Morris), Victor Moore (Plumber), and Donald MacBride (Mr. Brady) Directed by Billy Wilder (#106 - Some Like It Hot, #194 - Ace in the Hole, #422 - The Fortune Cookie, #641 - The Apartment, #809 - Sunset Boulevard), and #1384 - Stalag 17)

Review:
"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.”

When it comes to bombshell actresses, one that stands out most evidently for their role in popular culture is Marilyn Monroe. She had grown up under a turbulent childhood, with a nonexistent father and a mother that had a mental breakdown that had her committed by the time Monroe was eight years old, which led to years of bouncing around orphanages and lodgers to stay with. She found herself attracting to becoming an actress at a young age, mostly because it seemed like an escape from her real world troubles. Adulthood had plenty of paths for her to take, such as housewife to factory-work to modelling before she eventually took steps to acting, where she made bit part appearances for 20th Century Fox in 1947 before being let go the following year, although it did help her in enrollment to the Actors' Laboratory Theatre, which she found enticing. Her determination in wanting to make it as an actress eventually led to some roles, such as her first lead role with Ladies of the Chorus (1948), or small parts in 1950 films like Love Happy, All About Eve, and The Asphalt Jungle. Soon after she found herself with a contract back with Fox and her popularity gradually rose over the decade that made her a sex symbol, with highlights including Niagara (1953), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). Through the course of a career tragically cut short at the age of 36 in 1962, Monroe struggled with trying to branch out in roles beyond the bombshell types alongside struggles in her private life such as anxiety and addiction. In any case, Monroe's stature as an icon has endured long after her death, particularly with films such as this one, with one scene involving her dress being blown up by wind to show her legs being a particularly notable one for the decade.

The film was adapted from George Axelrod's 1952 play of the same name, which had run for over a thousand performances with Ewell on Broadway. However, turning the play into an acceptable film for the censors proved to be quite a challenge, with Wilder later stating that he was "straitjacketed" and wished that he had made the film in a later time that would have allowed the affair to be shown in the film, as opposed to it being in the imagination of Ewell's character, along with the fact that dialogue considered racy had to be omitted. In other words, the sin became one of boredom over lust. In any case, this is a fairly decent film, filled with a good deal of laughs that make an adequate farce firmly in the middle of Monroe and Wilder's careers given the circumstances of the time. Ewell makes for a fine panicky presence to go with, talkative to the audience and others with a few chuckles to deliver that make it palatable when faced without scenes with Monroe. She naturally steals the show, a bright presence of charm that commands our attention along with having fair timing with humor. The other members of the cast are okay, filling the 105 minutes around moments not with Monroe with fair patience. On the whole, this is definitely something that has aged a bit for its time, an envelope pusher in search of more to open within romance that nevertheless will prove adequate for those who like something carefully done by Wilder with plenty to highlight in Monroe.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

All About Eve.

Review #750: All About Eve.

Cast
Bette Davis (Margo Channing), Anne Baxter (Eve Harrington), George Sanders (Addison DeWitt), Celeste Holm (Karen Richards), Gary Merrill (Bill Sampson), Hugh Marlowe (Lloyd Richards), Thelma Ritter (Birdie), Gregory Ratoff (Max Fabian), Marilyn Monroe (Miss Casswell), and Barbara Bates (Phoebe) Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.

Review
Based off "The Wisdom of Eve" by Mary Orr, All About Eve is a movie that held the record for most Oscar nominations (14) until Titanic tied it over four decades later, with five actors receiving nominations, and one (Sanders) winning. In fact, Joseph L. Mankiewicz won two Oscars for the movie (Best Director and Adapted Screenplay). 65 years later, the movie is heralded as a classic. And why not? It is great. It's interesting that the big highlight in a movie all about Eve is not Eve herself, but Bette Davis and her tremendous screen presence. She is always interesting to watch and always entertaining, especially when interacting with the cast. Baxter is effective in making her character come off as innocent and helpful...for a while, anyway. Her scene with Holm in which she would will be willing to use Karen's deep friendship with Margo as leverage just to get a part shows the extent of Eve's manipulation. But while her ambition got her out of one problem along with getting her this far, it may have gotten her into another situation...but the movie ends on a different character, named Phoebe. The final scene, with her taking the award and imagining herself winning one is certainly fitting. Sanders manages to ingrain his character into the narrative. He may be snide. but his way with words is much more devastating. His scene with Baxter at the end, is especially well-done, as the movie comes full-circle. The movie begins with Eve winning an award for her performance in a play...but maybe in a way she hasn't won. She won the award, but perhaps at the cost of her heart, in a sense. One actress who also is in the movie, though brief, is Marilyn Monroe, whose character also plays a role in regards to Eve's rise. Monroe doesn't get much to do, but she is interesting to watch, especially when being guided by Sanders in his attempts to give her a career. The movie certainly looks well in both fashion and just in general, with the Costume Designers (Edith Head and Charles LeMaire) winning an Oscar for it. Bottom line, the movie is interesting to watch, especially if you love big performances and love big classical drama.

Thank you for reading this 750th Review. I hope you enjoyed it.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

For all of the appreciation over the past 750 reviews, I made a collage detailing from the first big landmark (and the number before it is, as customary)...all the way up to now. Thank you. Enjoy.

Movie Night: Some Like It Hot.

Review #106: Some Like It Hot.

Cast
Tony Curtis (Joe/Josephene), Jack Lemmon (Jerry/Daphene), Marilyn Monroe (Sugar), George Raft (Spats), Joe E. Brown (Osgood). Directed by Billy Wilder.

Review
This film still holds up after over 50 years (that of course doesn't matter), and the premise still holds up (this premise being used for other films with some good results (One being already reviewed here), and others...Not so good). The film has alright acting (especially in a comedy) and some good jokes that make this film a classic. It doesn't bore you, it actually make you interested in it, serious or not. Nevertheless, this is a good film that deserves every honor it receives even to this day.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Misfits.

Review #094: The Misfits.

Cast
Clark Gable (Gay Langland), Marilyn Monroe (Roslyn Tabor), Montgomery Clift (Perce Howland), Thelma Ritter (Isabelle Steers), and Eli Wallach (Guido) Directed by John Huston.

Review
This is an eery film, when you think about it. This was Monroe and Gable's last roles, and Clift was getting to his last few as well. It's well acted with an allright script from Arthur Miller (The Crucible, Death of a Salesman) as it does its script justice. It's ending is a little sad considering this again was the two's last roles. The film is sad, dramatic, and all around an allright film for what it's worth. We are close to 100 Reviews. Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.