It was an absolute joy to watch Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, a wonderfully entertaining musical featuring two screen legends. The fact that it clocked in at just 90 minutes makes it that special kind of movie that just leaves you wanting for more.
Speaking of wanting more, that's exactly what the two main leads are looking for. Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe play best friends who seemingly have little in common other than being breathtakingly beautiful and knowing exactly what they want. Monroe's Lorelei wants a rich man who can provide her with shiny baubles. Russell's Dorothy wants a fit guy who would be able to keep up with her.
Both are thus given splashy musical numbers that highlight this with Monroe's "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" the more popular and iconic of the two. Russell's "Ain't There Anyone Here for Love?" though is my preference and not just because of plenty of eye candy. My penchant for tennis and puns got the best of me as well.
Best Shot
Truthfully I could've pick any shot from this whole number, but the above shot is my pick because she looks damn fierce holding those old-timey tennis rackets with those nearly naked men all around her. It's pretty much my own dream scenario to be honest. Plus there's the slight pun of this scene with the song's title since in tennis "love" means zero and well since most of these guys were clearly gay, that makes sense.
Great choice for best and I completely agree about Jane's number which she fills with so much infectious fun. Her final dip into the pool was unplanned but trooper that she was she kept going when one of the guys caught her with his foot and Hawks liked it so much he seized the moment and included it in the film.
ReplyDeleteI knew the iconic purplish pink dress and those shots would show up but Marilyn & Jane are so on their game in this film almost every shot could be a best. For instance that shot of above of Marilyn looking at the tiara and Jane's sly look at her tells a story all on its own.