Taglines: You’ve never seen so much fun.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes movie storyline. Entertainers Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell) and Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) head for Europe on an ocean liner and encounter several mishaps and adventures on the way. For Lorelei, the trip will provide a necessary break from her fiancé Gus Edmond Jr. (Tommy Noonan) whose very rich father disapproves of their relationship. In fact, Gus’ father convinced that Lorelei is just after a rich husband and sends a private detective on the trip to keep an eye on her. As for Dorothy she attracts many beaus, including the US Olympic team! All of this and several song and dance numbers along the way.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a 1953 American musical comedy film based on the 1949 stage musical of the same name. It was directed by Howard Hawks and stars Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe, with Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid, Tommy Noonan, George Winslow, Taylor Holmes and Norma Varden in supporting roles.
The film is filled with comedic situations and musical numbers, choreographed by Jack Cole, while the music was written by Hoagy Carmichael, Harold Adamson, Jule Styne and Leo Robin. The songs by Styne and Robin are from the Broadway show, while the songs by Carmichael and Adamson were written especially for the film. Despite the film’s title, Monroe was paid her usual contract salary of $500 a week, while Russell, then the better known actress, earned $200,000.
While Russell’s down-to-earth, sharp wit has been observed by most critics, it was Monroe’s turn as the gold-digging Lorelei Lee for which the film is often remembered. Monroe’s rendition of the song “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” and her pink dress are considered iconic, and the performance has inspired homages by Beyoncé, Madonna, Geri Halliwell, Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Anna Nicole Smith, Christina Aguilera, Ariana Grande, and James Franco.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Directed by: Howard Hawks
Starring: Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid, Tommy Noonan, George Winslow, Marcel Dalio, Taylor Holmes, Norma Varden, Howard Wendell, Steven Geray
Screenplay by: Charles Lederer
Production Design by:
Cinematography by: Harry J. Wild
Film Editing by: Hugh S. Fowler
Costume Design by: Travilla
Set Decoration by: Claude E. Carpenter
Art Direction by: Lyle R. Wheeler, Joseph C. Wright
Music by: Leigh Harline, Lionel Newman, Hal Schaefer, Herbert W. Spencer
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: July 1, 1953 (Atlantic City), July 15, 1953 (New York)
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