tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post1311538485604977686..comments2024-03-22T14:48:09.697-04:00Comments on Dell on Movies: Girl Week 2016 - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, TwiceDellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-21718085695455704442017-01-02T10:54:02.783-05:002017-01-02T10:54:02.783-05:00I think this is Jane's best performance too. B...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.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-1133559346847301802017-01-02T08:45:21.205-05:002017-01-02T08:45:21.205-05:00This is actually one that I've seen!!! Love t...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).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-49617778208850132152016-12-05T10:03:35.082-05:002016-12-05T10:03:35.082-05:00For my part, thanks!
Jane is very much on her met...For my part, thanks!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-27645063974428804702016-12-04T15:23:41.298-05:002016-12-04T15:23:41.298-05:00I didn't think I'd like this film but Jane...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!Katie Hoganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01176992567322682222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-56725613833152788442016-11-28T17:31:02.933-05:002016-11-28T17:31:02.933-05:00Don't Bother to Knock is a good undiscovered b...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.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-21320585865107078052016-11-28T10:39:24.121-05:002016-11-28T10:39:24.121-05:00My favorite Marilyn Monroe movie is Don't Both...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.<br /><br />The cast includes Richard Widmark. Elisha Cook Jr. and Anne Bancroft.Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17921029597363212734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-39306034652802237802016-11-27T14:39:42.738-05:002016-11-27T14:39:42.738-05:00No need, lol. We all have some holes in our viewin...No need, lol. We all have some holes in our viewing history. Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-54939887559430434402016-11-27T13:22:17.082-05:002016-11-27T13:22:17.082-05:00Oddly enough, I don't remember having seen any...Oddly enough, I don't remember having seen any Marilyn Monroe movies. I suppose I should go hand in my movie buff card.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02426349195171316268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-90518070634588198182016-11-25T22:51:49.847-05:002016-11-25T22:51:49.847-05:00It's quite enjoyable. I hope you get to see it...It's quite enjoyable. I hope you get to see it, soon.Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-29224063501549254582016-11-25T21:00:04.114-05:002016-11-25T21:00:04.114-05:00I want to see this as I always thought Marilyn Mon...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 <i>Some Like It Hot</i> which is probably the only film that she's in that I saw in its entirety. I hope to do more next year. thevoid99https://www.blogger.com/profile/03055459287396592446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-53365243139382216162016-11-25T20:45:06.518-05:002016-11-25T20:45:06.518-05:00Kevin this is absolutely a great starting point af...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. joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-49988774819989635152016-11-25T20:09:25.787-05:002016-11-25T20:09:25.787-05:00It's a good place to go. It really embodies th...It's a good place to go. It really embodies the Marilyn Monroe persona. Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-25122818342555792722016-11-25T17:02:45.924-05:002016-11-25T17:02:45.924-05:00Great stuff, both of you! I really really want to ...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. Kevin Powershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04219017960488448934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-34849643199170600182016-11-25T14:12:27.097-05:002016-11-25T14:12:27.097-05:00Birgit, I completely agree Monroe was not really a...Birgit, I completely agree Monroe was not really an actress, but most certainly a movie star.<br /><br />Lol, I could imagine lots of guys suddenly heading off to Little Rock hoping to find their Lorelei or Dorothy.<br /><br />Hope you can join us next year. If you so happen to get inspired, this event is going through Sunday.Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-48904527598321558672016-11-25T14:06:47.417-05:002016-11-25T14:06:47.417-05:00I remember that series coming on, but I didn't...I remember that series coming on, but I didn't watch it. Bummer.Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-9870039050778361352016-11-25T13:40:38.428-05:002016-11-25T13:40:38.428-05:00I think over the years it's become pretty appa...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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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!joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-42912920841279823442016-11-25T13:19:43.051-05:002016-11-25T13:19:43.051-05:00I have seen My Week with Marilyn and thought it wa...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.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-21841487652998525792016-11-25T13:18:12.618-05:002016-11-25T13:18:12.618-05:00I love this movie and I am not a Monroe fan and I ...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 participateBirgithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09439720285857050428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-29643083642660604002016-11-25T12:41:58.323-05:002016-11-25T12:41:58.323-05:00Thanks! Like I said, I'm very happy I finally ...Thanks! Like I said, I'm very happy I finally got to see this.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-4051620378508729422016-11-25T11:56:19.058-05:002016-11-25T11:56:19.058-05:00Dell, as always this looks great! Perfect pictures...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! <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-20154567036905444372016-11-25T11:52:19.892-05:002016-11-25T11:52:19.892-05:00Though it is a great idea, but it probably won'...Though it is a great idea, but it probably won't be me who takes on that project.Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-76881388718428675942016-11-25T11:37:22.757-05:002016-11-25T11:37:22.757-05:00I'm with Brit! Maybe someone should host a Mon...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!<br />- AllieAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10938589355281359827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-22044888703333366472016-11-25T07:20:23.154-05:002016-11-25T07:20:23.154-05:00It's definitely a winner...and streaming on Ne...It's definitely a winner...and streaming on Netflix.Dellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05634519605152190304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227751790693713235.post-13999498950430095082016-11-25T06:57:06.266-05:002016-11-25T06:57:06.266-05:00I have seen so few Marilyn Monroe movies. I've...I have seen so few Marilyn Monroe movies. I've never even heard of this one. Great posts, gentlemen!Brittani Burnhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07975067259283007280noreply@blogger.com