Is there a performance more iconic than Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes? Even without watching the film, you’re likely to recognize the film’s biggest number Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend, whether that be from Marilyn herself or from the many renditions of the exact same scene. Given her stellar performance and the glamorous costumes, it makes sense that that song number would be the one most viewers would remember. Most of the film leads to that moment and it actually encapsulates the entire film’s themes. However, the film in its entirety proves to be delightfully entertaining, with Jane Russell holding up the rest of the film with equal magnetism, and a friendship between the two women that holds true even as they satirize their romantic exploits. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is an iconic film, but we’re happy to report that its wit and humor is timeless.
"Howard Hawks adds sly sexual insinuation to the blatantly sexual antics of Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell in this scintillating 1953 adaptation of the stage musical based on Anita Loos's novel."
— Richard Brody
"A strong play to the sophisticated dialog and situations is given by Howard Hawks' direction and he maintains the racy air that brings the musical off excellently at a pace that helps cloak the fact that it's rather lightweight, but sexy, stuff."
— William Brogdon
Lorelei Lee is a beautiful showgirl engaged to be married to the wealthy Gus Esmond, much to the disapproval of Gus' rich father, Esmond Sr., who thinks that Lorelei is just after his money. When Lorelei goes on a cruise accompanied only by her best friend, Dorothy Shaw, Esmond Sr. hires Ernie Malone, a private detective, to follow her and report any questionable behavior that would disqualify her from the marriage.
American showgirls Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Shaw have differing beliefs towards marriage: Lorelei would prefer to marry rich, while Dorothy is more drawn to physical strength. Lorelei is engaged to wealthy heir Gus Esmond, much to the disapproval of his father Esmond Sr. In order to stop the marriage, Esmond Sr. hires private detective Ernie Malone to investigate Lorelei.
We’re not sure who wrote the line Marilyn said about girls wanting to marry rich, but my gosh, didn’t Marilyn’s delivery of that line help?
This film is the epitome of the two women in bunny ears emoji.
Venice
1 nomination
Berlin
1 nomination
