Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Howard Hawks directed almost 50 films in his day. From action, to film-noir, to westerns, to gangster films, and even musicals. This musical of his paired up Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe. 60 years later it is hard to believe that this film was purchased by Fox for Betty Grable but they felt that Monroe was just as good of a sex symbol and far less expensive. Russell was actually payed much better and the bigger star at the time than Monroe, who's name will probably live longer.

So what is this film about? Monroe is a gold digger, and Russell is looking for love. They take a ship to Europe and happen to be on board with the US Olympic team (perfect for Russell's character) and with an owner of a diamond mine in South Africa (perfect for Monroe's character). The film has some ok song and dance scenes. Honestly I find Monroe's acting to be atrocious and fake, she does however manage a few witty one liners in all of her films. Like: "I can be smart when it's important, but most men don't like it."

The best part of musical month is seeing famous songs being performed. This one features "Diamonds are a girls Best Friend," a Monroe performance that will always be iconic, and probably reason enough to check this one out. The film as a whole was not great, but what do you expect.

Vote: 6/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045810/

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