GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES
US, 1953, 85 Minutes, Colour.
Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid, Tommy Noonan.
Directed by Howard Hawks.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a very funny and entertaining musical. Based on the story by Anita Loos, it tells the story of two innocent naive gold-diggers. They are played by the sex-symbols of the 50s, Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe. Jane Russell by this stage had already achieved a reputation for her style. Marilyn Monroe was just about to emerge in stardom. It was the period of Niagara and How to Marry a Millionaire. Some of their songs are most entertaining, especially Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend'. The film was directed with great verve by veteran director Howard Hawks, a film-maker of the 30s and the 40s with a very wide range, from only Angels Have Wings through some war films and some bright comedies like Bringing Up Baby and Ball of Fire, he had made Red River and was soon to make Land of the Pharaohs. He continued with Westerns and comedies into the 60s and 70s. The film is entertaining and looks as if the whole cast enjoyed making it. There is some wry light comedy on American manners.
1. Was this an enjoyable musical comedy? Is it now dated? Why?
2. The importance of Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell for this film? In their time? The impact now? Especially the way the camera focuses on them and presents them?
3. The film as: Americana; insights into American attitudes, American poses, American beliefs? - as comedy: is it funny? When? Why? - as satire: on human nature, on gold-diggers, foolish old men, rich young men, on American behaviour and attitudes, on the French, attitudes to women and sex? - as a film about women? Are they presented as persons? Are they sympathetic? Their ambitions for marriage, wealth, love? What aspects of women do Loralie and Dorothy represent? - as a comedy about men: the man in the film are inept. Why? How? Malone? Gus? His father? Sir Frances Beakman? (the contrast with Lady Beakman?) - as a film about love; how did Loralie and Dorothy love? Malone and Gus? How did true love triumph at the end? Did this ring true? -as a film about money: the emphasis and lines of dialogue on money, money-making, on diamonds, on greed? - as a film about fools: all the characters being foolish? How?
4. What did the songs contribute to the film? As entertainment? Satire? The girls from Little Rock: The goodbye song on the Ship? Dorothy's songs with the athletes? And Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend, as sung by Loralie, as sung in the court by Dorothy?
5. The film had a happy ending recapitulating the Little Rock song from the beginning. How did this sum up the film? Was this a good film? Worth reviving?
