LET'S MAKE LOVE

US, 1960, 119 minutes, Colour.
Marilyn Monroe, Yves Montand, Tony Randall, Frankie Vaughan, Wilfrid Hyde- White.
Directed by George Cukor.

Let’s Make Love was Marilyn Monroe’s second-last film. She then made The Misfits for John Huston, teaming with Clark Gable in his last film. She then made some scenes for Something’s Gotta Give with the Let’s Make Love director, George Cukor. The film was never finished. Scenes of it can be seen in a documentary called Marilyn.

This is very light entertainment, coming at the end of Marilyn Monroe’s career. With bit parts by 1950 in such films as All About Eve and The Asphalt Jungle, she was soon to emerge with Niagara and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. During the mid-50s she made a number of significant films including The Seven Year Itch and Bus Stop. She teamed with Laurence Olivier in The Prince and the Showgirl. She had a fine opportunity in Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot.

Yves Montand is one of the most celebrated of French actors and singers. He had appeared during the 1950s in such classics as The Wages of Fear. With his wife, Simone Signoret, he appeared in the French version of The Crucible written by Arthur Miller who had been married to Marilyn Monroe.

He plays a billionaire who finds out from his agent, Tony Randall, that he is going to be satirised on Broadway. He decides to visit the theatre, is attracted by Marilyn who is appearing in it, gets some coaching from cameos by Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly and Milton Berle as to how to approach Marilyn, through comedy, song and dance.

The film was directed by George Cukor, a celebrated Hollywood director who led many performers to the Oscar including James Stewart, Judy Holliday, Rex Harrison, Ronald Colman. He himself won an Oscar four years later for directing My Fair Lady.

The film was based on an earlier film of 1937, On the Avenue, with Madeleine Carroll.

1. An enjoyable film? As a musical comedy? Marilyn Monroe vehicle, Yves Montand vehicle?

2. The presentation of Marilyn Monroe, in 1960, in retrospect? How well was she used, exploited? Comment on the Marilyn Monroe persona: the innocent type, ignorant but wanting to learn, compassionate, musical, a flair for comedy, the emphasis on sexuality?

3. The presentation of Yves Montand as the typical Frenchman? The combination of Montand and Monroe?

4. The satirical aspects of the screenplay, on capitalism, money and its use, control of others, love? The romantic aspects and their blending with the satire?

5. The humorous point of the history in the pre-credits sequence? The comment on the making of money? The introduction to Jean- Marc Clement?

6., What kind of person was Jean- Marc? His ability with his work, his reputation, his use of money? People fawning on him, laughing at his jokes? His becoming involved with the revue? His having to accept being ridiculed? His growing In love with Mandy, his jokes to the theatre company, the devices he used in order to win Mandy? How well developed was this character? Audience identification with him? Hopes for his success?

7. The comedy aspects of his character, hiring Milton Berle and the demonstration of the comedy routines, the fixed pericemance at the theatre, Bing Crosby teaching him to sing, Gene Kelly to dance?

8. Comment on the song, Specialization, and its ridiculing of the various celebrities? The humiliation of Jean- Marc?

9. How attractive a character was Amanda? Marilyn Monroe and her songs, 'My Heart Belongs To Daddy', 'Specialization', the title song etc.? Her character and her compassion, for Alex, for Tommy? Her study of history? The gentle aspects of her character? Her love for Jean- Marc?

10. How humorous was her disbelief when he told her the truth? Her visit to the building? The Cinderella aspects of the story?

11. Jean- Marc’s agent and his role in the film, comedy? His telling him the truth?

12. Tommy as a musical comedy star, the background of his failures, his success?

13. George Wells and his contribution? His helping the whole device?

14. The strengths of the songs and dances? Their contribution to the film?

15. The quality of the comedy?