Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

"You know I think you're the only girl in the world who can stand on a stage with a spotlight in her eye and still see a diamond inside a man's pocket."

Showgirls Lorelei Lee (Monroe) and Dorothy Shaw (Russell) are best friends, but completely different.  Lorelei dates wealthy men and wants diamonds, while Dorothy dates handsome poor men.  Lorelei's boyfriend, Gus Esmond (Noonan), is head over heels in love, but can't convince his wealthy father (Taylor Holmes) to agree to the match.  To encourage the proposal, and keep the Esmond family out of the way, Lorelei and Dorothy decide to go to Paris.

On the boat, both women get distracted.  Dorothy has her sights set on the Olympic team, but there curfew and training gets in the way.  Then she meets Ernie Malone (Reed), who is on a business trip.  Lorelei is distracted by Sir Francis "Piggy" Beekman (Coburn), who owns one of the biggest diamond mines.  The only thing standing between Lorelei and lots of diamonds is Lady Beekman (Norma Varden), Piggy's wife... and her relationship with Gus.  With a private investigator, hired by Mr. Esmond, keeping tabs on Lorelei, and Lady Beekman's tiara missing, can the two little girls from Little Rock stay out of trouble.


And so begins my Marilyn Monroe phase...

An iconic Marilyn Monroe film... not as known as "The Seven Year Itch" or "Some Like it Hot", but still as memorable.  Her Lorelei is a dizzy blonde, except when it counts.  This could be a throw away character, or an overly annoying or obnoxious character, but Monroe portrays a lovable, demanding woman: she knows what she wants, and knows how to get it.

Monroe and Jane Russell have an easy, believable chemistry.  They take care of each other, and genuinely care.  It is Monroe's film, but Russell gets some of the best lines and scenes, and a few solos.  With stars like these, the male characters just fade into the background, especially the suitors who don't bring much to the table.

Not the best musical ever made, but a fun one to watch... with a few good songs and funny dialog.  Worth renting... but don't pay too much.


For another take, check out the funny commentary (and a link to the YouTube video of Monroe's iconic performance of "Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend") here

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) 91 minutes
Director: Howard Hawks
Starring: Jane Russell as Dorothy Shaw
Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei Lee
Charles Coburn as Sir Francis "Piggy" Beekman
Elliott Reed as Ernie Malone
Tommy Noonan as Gus Esmond Jr.