Gentlemen Prefer Blondes/How to Marry a Millionaire

In the early 1950's Marilyn Monroe starred in a number of successful musical comedies for 20th Century Fox. Not counting her later work with Billy Wilder at MGM (and "The Seven Year Itch", which was a Fox film, but differs greatly from her standard Fox fare, largely because of Wilder's touch), these films would stand as the apex of her career, based on the film's overall quality and the performances she turned in. Two of the best were “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, directed by the legendary Howard Hawks and co-starring equally buxom Jane Russell. Remembered for all time as the film in which Monroe sings “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in her sleeveless pink dress and long pink gloves, the film’s strength lies in the fact that Monroe has better chemistry with Jane Russell than she ever did any of her male co-stars. The two deftly play off each other, Monroe doing her trademark innocence and naiveté shtick, while Russell excels as the “ballsy, brassy dame”, who knows a thing or two about men and constantly has to impart her knowledge onto Monroe’s Lorelei Lee. The other is “How To Marry A Millionaire”, though not a comedy, combines Monroe with a stellar supporting cast, featuring Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable as her partners in the titular crime and the legendary William Powell, in a fine knowing performance, as one of their marks. The fun of this film is the premise: three millionaire chasing women move into an apartment they could never afford with a limited budget, planning on marrying for money way before that ever becomes an issue. Obviously things do not go as planned, and the film stands as a fine comedic showcase for the three women; suave, sophisticated Lauren Bacall, nearly blind Marilyn Monroe, and impulsive ditz Betty Grable. Both films were hits in their day, solidifying Monroe’s stature as leading lady of romantic comedies and leading to bigger roles in the aforementioned Wilder films.

“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” introduces its two chorines; Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Shaw, as they are performing their nightclub act together, singing “We’re Two Little Girls From Little Rock”. The reason it sounds so good is because it, along with several other songs used in the film, was written by Jule Styne, acclaimed composer of songs from such classic shows and films as “Gypsy”, “Anchors Aweigh”, and “Funny Girl”. After their act, Lorelei’s fiancé, Gus Esmond visits them backstage and expresses his reluctance to let the girls go to Europe unaccompanied. To make matters worse, Gus’ father, and provider of his considerable fortune, thinks Lorelei is nothing but a golddigger, and warns that any misconduct on her part will result in Gus being cut off. What he does not tell Gus is that he is sending a private detective along to follow the girls and make sure Lorelei gets into trouble. The fact that they are traveling with the Olympic track team, all of whom appeal to the always-looking-for-a-good-time Dorothy, does nothing for Gus’ nerves. Soon after the ship sets sail Lorelei immediately begins looking for a sugar daddy (something to tide her over I suppose) and settles on Henry Spofford III, based on his regal sounding name. Little does she know that Mr. Spofford is actually an extremely precocious 7 year old boy, and his one-liners, delivered in a deadly serious monotone, comprise the film’s funniest moments. Lorelei soon settles on a different type of sugar daddy, Sir Francis “Piggy” Beekman, played by famed character actor Charles Coburn. After the private detective, Ernie Malone, who cozies up to the ladies by coming on to Dorothy, gets his pictures of Lorelei and Piggy together (in an innocuous act of course), Mr. Esmond pulls the plug, which sends a desperate Gus to Paris, where the ladies are performing in a variety show. Complicating matters is Ernie’s growing affection for Dorothy and a missing diamond tiara which Piggy gives to Lorelei in a moment of weakness, then disappears when his wife starts asking about it. Everything is resolved in an elaborate courtroom scene in which Dorothy poses as Lorelei, sings a reprise of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and clears everyone’s name. Ernie destroys his evidence, winning back Dorothy’s heart and Gus and Lorelei are free to be together (while she does love him, her intentions remain strictly monetary, sending a troubling message, especially considering the next film).

“How To Marry a Millionaire” plays out much the same way, with the three women, working as models, set themselves as bait to lure in three millionaires. All three quickly find suitable marks, Loco (Betty Grable) ends up with J. Stewart, domineering banker only to happy to cheat on his wife, but desperate to avoid word of it getting out, Pola (Marilyn Monroe) lands mysterious eye-patched playboy Waldo, and ostensible leader Schatze (Lauren Bacall) lands Texas oilman JD Hanley, a debonair (much) older man, played with requisite charm by William Powell. Loco and Pola quickly find their men not worth their time, both through hilarious circumstances. Loco immediately falls ill upon arriving at the rustic Elk lodge Stewart takes her to, and is nursed back to health by Eben, the handsome park ranger/valet who works for Stewart. She mistakenly assumes he is wealthy when he tells her thousands of acres of timber are “his”, referring of course to his duty to protect them. Pola, who is constantly at a severe disadvantage thanks to her insistence on not wearing her glasses, lets her poor vision cloud her judgment with Waldo, ignoring her friends’ comments that he is no good. Her poor vision however is ultimately what gets her out of trouble. Schatze is at first the happiest of the three. She truly loves JD (and his money) and his noble intentions and refined manner suit her perfectly. All the while she has to reject the advances of Tom Brookman, a millionaire who never wears a suit and prefers cheeseburgers, thus she assumes he works at a gas station. All three realize their unhappiness, though not without one final push of common sense (Stewart’s paranoia about being seen with Loco explodes as they have the unfortunate distinction of being the 1 millionth car to cross the George Washington Bridge, resulting in a massive photo op, while Pola, thinking she is getting on a plane to Atlantic City to meet the shady Waldo, instead ends up on a plane to Kansas City sitting next to Freddie Denmark, the on-the-lam millionaire owner of the apartment the girls have been renting!) and end up with their new men. Schatze has the hardest decision to make. She ends up not marrying JD, who handles the entire thing with diplomacy, even putting in a good word for Tom, resulting in Schatze giving him a chance and ultimately falling in love with him (she only finds out her is a millionaire after he throws down a $1,000 bill to cover the gang’s tab at his favorite cheeseburger place). As opposed to “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, here, all three women end up in loving relationships, although, they have to some fun, two of the three of them are still millionaires!