Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Hollywood actress Jane Russell died recently, so I decided we should revisit the only film I've seen her in, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, a comedy-musical in which she co-starred with Marilyn Monroe. I enjoyed it first time round and I enjoyed again on a rewatch. Lorelei (Monroe) and Dorothy (Russell) are a pair of showgirls - thus likely to burst into song at any moment - and while Lorelei loves a man with money, Dorothy's eye is caught by good-looking men and isn't so materialistic. 

Dorothy chaperones Lorelei on a boat across the Atlantic, where Lorelei is to marry her weedy-but-rich fiancé, and during the trip Ernie Malone (Elliott Reid) is sent by her future father-in-law to spy on her and prove that she's a gold-digger. Farce and musical numbers ensue, and naturally Dorothy falls for the private detective. Monroe does good work making Lorelei into a sympathetic character, not just a money-grabbing hussy - rather she's a sweet-natured, dim girl who explains at movie's end that while money doesn't attract her to a man, it certainly helps, in the same way that men are attracted to pretty girls. 

The star of the movie for me isn't Monroe, though she is very good, it's Russell. She's sassy, witty and has a great voice, and her character is more savvy and cynical. She also does a mean Marilyn Monroe impression when Dorothy disguises herself as Lorelei at movie's end during an odd courtroom scene.

The musical numbers are all top notch, memorable songs and influential dance routines - see Monroe's 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend' and compare it with Madonna's 'Material Girl' video. The other songs - 'When Love Goes Wrong', 'A Little Girl From Little Rock', 'Bye Bye Baby' and 'Anyone Here For Love?', featuring a lot of men in pants - are all good fun and the whole is a very funny slice of old Hollywood glamour.