Comedy musical, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes arrived in
cinemas in the summer of 1953 on the back of a successful Broadway run. Set
largely aboard an Ocean Liner and Paris, the movie follows the fortunes of two
beautiful showgirls. Although the best of friends, the two women couldn’t be
more different from one another. Blonde bombshell Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe)
is a childlike airhead, desperate to marry rich. Her friend Dorothy Shaw (Jane
Russell) is much smarter and more down to earth, interested in love not money.
The two head to Paris
with Dorothy sent along as a chaperone by Lorelei’s rich and naïve fiancé
(Tommy Noonan). Also aboard the ship is a handsome P.I (Elliot Reid), who’s
there at the behest of Lorelei’s potential father-in-law.
The film is famous today for Monroe’s iconic and much
copied rendition of Diamonds are a Girl’s
Best Friend. Along with this song, there are several others in which the
two stars sing seductively, strutting across the stage in glamorous and often
revealing attire. Many of the songs weren’t to my liking but I had no
complaints about the visuals. Around the pair is some excellent choreography.
Russell’s rendition of Ain’t There Anyone
Here for Love is set inside the ship’s gymnasium and she’s surrounded by
the American Olympic Team of whom she makes interesting and amusing props. The
actress looks to be in her element. The number also features a mistake in which
the actress is knocked into a pool. Director Howard Hawks liked the take though
and kept the accident in the finished film. The opening number I’m Just a Little Girl From Little Rock
is well staged and sets the film off to a flying start.
