Friday, November 25, 2016

Girl Week 2016 - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Twice


It's the day after Thanksgiving, and Day 5 of Girl Week 2016! I hope you're enjoying this week as much as I am. It's been a blast putting things together here on this site. It's been even more fun reading your posts on your site. Thank you, all, and not for the last time.

Today, Joel brings an icon to the party. The one and only Marilyn Monroe. I'll let him take over, for a little while.

Directed by Howard Hawks.
1953. Not Rated, 91 minutes.
Cast:
Jane Russell
Marilyn Monroe
Elliott Reid
Charles Coburn
Tommy Noonan
Taylor Holmes
Norma Varden
George Winslow

Girl power wrapped up in diamonds! Splashy, sassy Technicolor musical tale of two little girls from Little Rock who lived on the wrong side of the tracks then someone broke their hearts and they up and left the pieces there. But they’re young and determined to be wined and dined in ermine and after finding men are the same way everywhere head to the big city in search of a gentleman who is shy or bold or short or tall or young or old as long as the guy’s a millionaire!!

While theoretically about two girls on the make, though only Lorelei Lee’s (Marilyn Monroe) heart is really in that pursuit while otherwise sensible Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell) is simply man crazy, the real story of the film is the devoted friendship the two women share. No matter the predicament they find themselves in-mostly due to Lorelei’s avarice-the two never waver in their defense of the other.

Loaded with eye-popping fashions, musical numbers, including the amazing and justly famous “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and Jane’s ferociously homo-erotic poolside “Is There Anyone Here for Love?” this is a real showpiece for the talents of Monroe & Russell both separately and collectively. While they are surrounded by talented co-stars, Charles Coburn as the lustful Sir Francis “Piggy” Beekman, Tommy Noonan as the sweet but nebbishy Mr. Esmond and young foghorn voiced George Winslow are all standouts, the pair effortlessly carry the film and make it something special.


Joel, thank you for this, but I have to take the wheel back, now.


I have a confession. Before Joel sent me this draft, I hadn't seen Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. In fact, though her likeness has been all around me for my entire life, I had only seen one true Marilyn Monroe film, the comedy classic Some Like it Hot. I had also seen her in All About Eve, but she only has a bit part in that. Since Gentlemen Prefer Blondes has been on my radar forever, and I actually have seen the "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" routine dozens of times, I figured 'why not go ahead and watch it, already?' So, that's what I did.

Here's my take.

Everything Joel says about the movie rings true. It's loads of fun, there is lots to dazzle the eye, and the friendship of our co-leads carries the day. To pull off that last feat, Monroe and Russell have fabulous chemistry. Of those in the supporting cast, young George Winslow is my favorite. This little guy stole every scene in which he appeared. That's no small feat considering who he was sharing the screen with.

Then, there are those musical numbers. Like everything else, they're just a blast to watch. Of course, "Diamonds" is just iconic. Seeing it within the context of the actual film, however, made it even better than I thought it to be. Still, being a 80s teen, I couldn't help myself thinking of Madonna's aping of the whole thing for the music video to her song "Material Girl." Lesser known, but more fun in a goofy way is Jane Russell's rendition of "Diamonds" in a courtroom. Joel hit the nail right on the head when he described her number "Is There Anyone Here For Love?"as "ferociously homo-erotic." I happen to think this was brilliantly done on purpose given the sentiment of the song.


Speaking of Russell, she is a bona-fide star, iconic in her own right, and delivers a wonderful performance, but I feel sorry for her. She shares more scenes with Marilyn Monroe than anyone else in the film. The problem is two-fold. First, Monroe is not a great technical actress, by any stretch of the imagination. After hearing horror stories about working with her from other actors, I can only imagine what this was like for Russell. Second, despite her lack of skill, Monroe is simply so radiant, and with such presence it's just not fair to the people on the screen with her. Yes, she had the blonde bombshell look and figure, but it could be argued that any number of actresses were better looking. Where she separates herself from the rest is in raw sex appeal. Everything about her is a risque innuendo. The trick to making it work is that it all feels so effortless. By contrast, Russell is clearly working so hard at being sexy she appears to be on the verge of breaking out in a profuse sweat. The comedy comes when Monroe makes a point of trying to be sexy. We can't help but chuckle because the extra effort is completely pointless, and/or because whatever poor sap she has in her sights doesn't stand a chance. For me, that's the key to what is an excellent performance despite her lack of acting ability. Too many times, she plays the dumb blonde moments with that weird extra wide-eyed expression she's wearing in so many photos. It works in stills, but comes off a bit odd in live action. However, she makes it work because it really does seem like a light bulb is coming on whenever Lorelei does something to prove she's not as stupid as everyone thinks.

The bottom line is that I really enjoyed this. The dialogue is packed to the gills with sly sex jokes. Russell delivers her dialogue as if she's clearly in on the joke, while Monroe delivers hers as if she's not. Both approaches work wonderfully and enhance their characters. The story ends with a rather odd and dated type of 'girl power' that might have to be explained to young women of the 21st century. Even then, its really more rich white guy fantasy than actual feminism. Still, it's just fun to watch and I'm glad I did.


Hope you enjoyed this look at Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Click below for yesterday's entries in Girl Week 2016.

24 comments:

  1. I have seen so few Marilyn Monroe movies. I've never even heard of this one. Great posts, gentlemen!

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    1. It's definitely a winner...and streaming on Netflix.

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    2. My favorite Marilyn Monroe movie is Don't Bother to Knock. Marilyn is a mentally disturbed babysitter looking after Jim Backus's daughter in a hotel room while he and his wife got to a fancy dinner.

      The cast includes Richard Widmark. Elisha Cook Jr. and Anne Bancroft.

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    3. Don't Bother to Knock is a good undiscovered by most gem. Marilyn is quite touching as the damaged Nell. Interesting to see Bancroft so early in her career as well.

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  2. I'm with Brit! Maybe someone should host a Monroe Blogathon so I can tick off some of her movies, not a hint at you though Dell, ha!
    - Allie

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    1. Though it is a great idea, but it probably won't be me who takes on that project.

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  3. Dell, as always this looks great! Perfect pictures to illustrate the points. So happy first of all that I inspired you to finally watch this wonderful movie and second that you liked it so much!

    It really is a delight, big and brassy but with a sense of fun. Lorelei is dumb like a fox and I think Marilyn's playing of her was a nod to that, that she reacted as the snooks she had in her sights expected. That's why her encounter with Gus's father, which by the way is where I think she looks her best in the film in that deep blue dress, when she lays out her viewpoint to him and he exclaims "They told me you were stupid! You don't sound stupid to me!" and she admits that she basically knows her onions and when to show that she does is so funny but also makes sense.

    Both of the women are so spot on. I've read many comments from different cinematographers that a key point of Marilyn's power on screen was that she had flesh impact and the camera just picked up and exposed that little something extra in her makeup that made her stand out from the crowd. But then she also knew how to work it. "Marilyn Monroe" was her creation, off screen she was a quiet, bookish girl who liked to cook and was full of insecurities-fueled by the fact that like Clara Bow insanity ran in her family. There are multiple stories of people walking with her down the street and no one recognizing her and she's say to them "Do you want to see her?" make some small internal adjustment and suddenly she's be swamped by adoring fans.

    About the relationship between Russell and Monroe it was actually a good one. Jane was a motherly woman and she recognized that a good deal of Marilyn's problems were rooted in insecurity so she took her under her wing and helped her along. At this point in her career the main issue with Marilyn seemed to be getting her to the set, once she was there she would settle down and get right to work but she feared the judgement of the cast & crew. It seems crazy than that she would pursue stardom but she also needed that attention, as her last husband Arthur Miller said, he never saw her unhappy in a crowd.

    Carol Channing played Lorelei on Broadway to great success but I can't imagine her in the film. Like Ethel Merman she was just too big for the screen and Marilyn made this her own. This is the film that really put her right at the very top. She had been moving steadily forward and with her previous film to this, Niagara (SEE IT if you haven't) she was almost there but with the one two punch of them followed up with How to Marry a Millionaire that she became the undisputed queen of the lot. It also greatly enhanced Jane Russell's career, she had been borrowed from RKO where she was already established but with this she went back with a new luster.

    About "Is There Anyone Here for Love?" number I wouldn't be surprised if they filmed it intentionally with that undercurrent. Getting seemingly innocuous material loaded with innuendo past the censors was often something the writers of the time worked at to get around the production code. While they were filming something unexpected happened. Jane Russell was not supposed to be dunked in the water when the men were diving in but when she was she came up and kept going. The director realizing that it added an extra touch to the number left it in.

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    1. Thanks! Like I said, I'm very happy I finally got to see this.

      I'm not sure if you've seen My Week with Marilyn, but it explores many of the things you mentioned about Monroe's state of mind. Michelle Williams plays the part with a tangible sadness and it works. I recommend it if you haven't watched it.

      Oh, there is no doubt in my "Is There Anyone Here for Love?" was intentionally filmed to be homo-erotic. I only suspected that part where Russell wound up in the water was accidental. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I actually rewatched that moment to see if she really got hit in the head, which she did. I actually cringed because it looked like it was a knee that got her. All I could think was she must have suffered a concussion. Kudos to her for continuing with the number.

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    2. I have seen My Week with Marilyn and thought it was okay but in the early 80's their was a special TV miniseries called Marilyn: The Untold Story with Catherine Hicks who was able to capture Marilyn's essence better than anyone I've ever seen. Unfortunately it's impossible to find.

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    3. I remember that series coming on, but I didn't watch it. Bummer.

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  4. I love this movie and I am not a Monroe fan and I don't think she was this acting talent so much as a star talent. Even in films like Bus Stop or The Misfits, she is good but not great. She did have an aura though but also so very, very insecure. One thing...I do believe she was murdered because she knew too much. She was to give a press conference a few days after her death which, obviously, never happened. Anyhoo, Love Jane Russell in this film because she is all no nonsense and jaded but so protective of Lorelei just like she was with Marilyn. She was, I think, one of the few women Marilyn could call a friend. I love the scene when Lorelei gets caught in the porthole due to her hips. That kid is priceless. My other favourite scene is when both are stuck in paris and start to sing at a cafe...They are just 2 gals from Little Rock. How many men traveled to little Rock after this picture:) ?? Did you notice that Lorelei, like Marilyn, didn't mind the older guys and in the scene you show above, every man has some grey in his hair. Jane's men are much younger and able bodied...like she likes them. Great theme and wonderful to read all of these. Maybe, nest time, I can participate

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    1. I think over the years it's become pretty apparent that foul play was involved in her death. Right from the get-go the police had suspicions and made remarks that the death looked staged and there was no way for her to ingest the amount of drugs in her body without assistance. Sad that it came at a time when she seemed to be pulling herself together, well it's sad at any time but particularly when she looked to be getting herself in order.

      But it certainly enhanced her legend and like Dean, Natalie Wood and Jean Harlow she's locked in time not having to watch her luster diminish.

      But yes this movie is great fun and a real testament to friendship. Whenever they're up against it, neither ever thinks of letting the other out to dry. It's always something along the line of "Sister, we are in a jam now!" The two make a perfect duo!

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    2. Birgit, I completely agree Monroe was not really an actress, but most certainly a movie star.

      Lol, I could imagine lots of guys suddenly heading off to Little Rock hoping to find their Lorelei or Dorothy.

      Hope you can join us next year. If you so happen to get inspired, this event is going through Sunday.

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  5. Great stuff, both of you! I really really want to see this now (and probably should've already). I have only seen Monroe in the same films as you, Dell. This seems like where to go next.

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    1. It's a good place to go. It really embodies the Marilyn Monroe persona.

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    2. Kevin this is absolutely a great starting point after Some Like It Hot. I'd also recommend Niagara and Don't Bother to Knock both of which look at the dark side of her persona in different ways. Also Clash by Night where her role is secondary, Barbara Stanwyck & Robert Ryan tear it up in the leads, but she plays just an ordinary girl an anomaly in her filmography.

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  6. I want to see this as I always thought Marilyn Monroe doesn't get enough credit for her work as an actress. I loved her in Some Like It Hot which is probably the only film that she's in that I saw in its entirety. I hope to do more next year.

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    1. It's quite enjoyable. I hope you get to see it, soon.

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  7. Oddly enough, I don't remember having seen any Marilyn Monroe movies. I suppose I should go hand in my movie buff card.

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    1. No need, lol. We all have some holes in our viewing history.

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  8. I didn't think I'd like this film but Jane Russell was the real pull here - she's brilliant, highlight is when she takes the piss out of Lorelei in court. Monroe does lack something here but she and Russell have a great balance. Great post guys!

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    1. For my part, thanks!

      Jane is very much on her mettle here. Her line readings have just the right touch of drollness...for instance when they're all in the bar and Lorelei meets Piggy for the first time and is oozingly supercilious towards him saying things like "If a man isn't a certain age, he's just not interesting" and Dorothy drawls "Oh honey, lay off." with a great sardonic air. Her scene in the courtroom is a hoot, it also highlights the difference in their performing styles.

      I've never found Marilyn lacking but I completely agree this is one of the best examples of two female co-stars having an amazing chemistry with each other. In a way it's a shame they never were paired again but in another, like Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca, why tempt fate and tamper with the perfection that was achieved in that first get coming together.

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  9. This is actually one that I've seen!!! Love this movie so much...such a breezy, fun ride, and Russell is brilliant (Monroe is also great, but Russell upstages her and, quite possibly, delivers my favorite performance from her).

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    1. I think this is Jane's best performance too. Being an RKO girl she rarely had the opportunity to work with the best directors or a chance at the better properties and with this exception wasn't loaned out by Hughes. She does have a few other films worth seeking out-The Revolt of Mamie Stover, The Las Vegas Story and two with Robert Mitchum (they paired together very well) Macao and especially His Kind of Woman which is a fun mix of comedy/drama/thriller with an excellently wry performance from Vincent Price.

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