Howard Hawks is one of the most underrated directors. He had the ability to bring out the best in actors. He cemented Cary Grant’s stardom. Hawks also makes John Wayne a solid actor. He made every type of movie. Howard Hawks made the Broadway musical, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1953, starring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. This was another crowning achievement for Hawks. This film makes Marilyn Monroe a movie star. He advised her to relax, and be natural. She followed his advice, and it shows. It gives Monroe a talented costar with Jane Russell, and the two ladies shine throughout the film.
The story is simple. Marilyn Monroe plays Lorelei Lee and Jane Russell is Dorothy Shaw. They are two entertainers, who take a cruise to Paris. They meet Sir Francis (Piggy) Beekman: a diamond merchant. Beekman’s status, makes Lorelei forget her boyfriend, Gus Edmond Jr.,(Tommy Noonan). Mr. Edmond Sr., (Taylor Holmes), thinks Lorelei just wants Jr.s fortune. He has a private detective, Ernie Malone, (Elliot Reid), follow her onboard. This becomes a tricky situation, when Reid falls for Dorothy. It seems that Reid has earned his money, in Paris. Lorelei is accused of stealing a diamond tiara, belonging to Lady Beekman, Norma Varden. It turns out not to be the case. It was just misplaced by Piggy Beekman. Lorelei also admits she loves Gus Edmond Jr. to his father. Dorothy after feigning animosity toward Ernie, also admits her true feelings. Everything ends happily for everyone, with a double wedding.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a film that firmly establishes Marilyn Monroe as a sex symbol. During the 1950’s she went on to create her image, with films like The Seven Year Itch. She is terrific in the film, doing her own singing and dancing. There aren’t a lot of musical numbers, that can top Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. It is dazzling, and as good as any performance you’ll see in any musical. There were many beautiful actresses in Hollywood during this time, like Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. Marilyn Monroe stands out because of her all around talent. It takes a lot to do comedy, and sing and dance. She could make it look easy on the big screen, and she does in this film.
How to Marry a Millionaire is an example of the type of films that Hollywood used to make. It doesn’t carry a deep message, and it is fun to watch. Marylyn Monroe and Jane Russell mesh well together. Everyone is secondary to their characters. Charles Coburn is amusing as Piggy Beekman. Its amusing when Monroe’s character sees his head as a big diamond. Lorelei Lee’s farewell song to Gus Edmond Jr. is very sensual. This movie is simply an entertaining Marilyn Monroe vehicle, that explains why, as a movie star; she is hard to top.