Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

• Directed by Howard Hawks
• July 1, 1953 (Atlantic City) / July 15, 1953 (New York)
• Based on the 1949 stage musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos and Joseph Fields

Two showgirls travel to Paris pursued by a private detective as well as an enamored old man and many other admirers.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ impact on popular culture is undeniable. To one extent or another it has inspired something that you’re familiar. The Material Girl Madonna got her nickname largely because of a video in which she performed a number inspired by a rather famous scene in this very film starring the legendary Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell.

Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell play Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Shaw respectively who are two best friends looking for love. Dorothy is focused on the physical while Lorelei is concerned with the material. Dorothy has a good head on her shoulders but is out to have her fun. She often acts as Lorelei’s conscience as her focus on the material can lead her astray a bit. By the end though both have matured a bit.

I doubt that based on that broad description alone this could get made into a film today as it would be viewed as a misogynistic story about a man crazy woman and her greedy friend. In reality it is a bit of a satire involving class and gender as well as friendship dressed up with a fun script and great music.

Lorelei and Dorothy may have their goals but they have a tight bond. Their friendship takes priority over their personal goals as they are there to help and look out for each other. Dorothy may be the conscience but Lorelei gets her friend to take a step back and reevaluate her views.

There are horny young men and horny old men with cold wives and a detective sent by Lorelei’s eventual father-in-law out of mistrust that eventually falls for Dorothy. A goofy mix for any romantic comedy. The dialogue is witty and you could take some of it of it as innuendo with dirty stuff implied such as Dorothy and her disappointment over not being able to enjoy the company of the athletic team she meets on the trip.

Dorothy is not a simple pleasure seeker but has not found anyone that she feels is her equal until she crosses paths with private investigator Ernie Malone (Elliott Reid). Lorelei has a bit of a roving eye, but her character is framed as having some insecurities about not being broke and destitute. That might be a bit strong but she’s not wildly greedy and has taken up with Gus Esmond Jr. (Tommy Noonan) whose father (Taylor Holmes) sees Lorelei as a dumb gold-digger and was the one that hired Malone.

Jane Russell was an all-around talent. Monroe had fantastic comedic timing and it is unfortunate that her legacy is largely that have a breathless sex symbol and not a talented actress which she was able to expertly deliver the humor. They went straight for the laugh every chance they had. The scene with Monroe stuck in the porthole is HILARIOUS! But both make a great pair in this movie and just deliver.

Monroe for always exuded sexuality. She was just a stunning woman and never really had to try to be sexy. It was always there and always on. Russell was an attractive woman and could certainly turn heads without trying but could always flip a switch and get it up a few more notches.

In lesser hands with a lesser cast this would have been largely forgotten but with a cast featuring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell under the direction of Howard Hawks (with musical numbers directed by Gwen Verdon) it was lightning in a bottle.

The music is absolutely fantastic in this, and those songs are accompanied by great dance numbers. “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” is a classic but “A Little Girl from Little Rock”, “Bye Bye Baby”, “Ain’t There Anyone Here for Love” among others are all great.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a classic that certainly deserves that status. It has fantastic performances and great music from start to finish. But most importantly it leaves you feeling good by the time it hits the end. This is a must see!