Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
If you have to start somewhere, this is a damned great place to start.
Disclaimer: I had actually seen Gentlemen Prefer Blondes about five times before this viewing, which is about five times more than most other movies on this list, so if my impressions are more incisive than with other movies here, you know why. Also, I have yet to set up a structure for what these recaps/reviews will contain, and in what form. So unfortunately, this movie is gonna take it on the chin a bit, while later movies will probably enjoy a more streamlined take.
Lastly, finding pics of this movie without copyright protection is difficult and, given the scope of this project, not worth seeking permission for every movie. I intend to salt and pepper my posts liberally with links, though; please click them for as full an effect as I can give, legally.
Onward!
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I have to give props to Tom & Lorenzo, the fabulous and catty couple from Philadelphia who pen an eponymous blog that has existed for nearly two decades. It began as a spunky upstart called Project Rungay, wherein they critiqued...well, you can guess which popular reality competition. For a while, they maintained a series called Musical Monday where they gave their take on musicals from the golden age of Hollywood (give or take a decade or two). Their witty recaps ranged from halting (Fiddler on the Roof) to gushing (Cabaret). Of course they would take on Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and they do it a justice that I can't come close to. So...go ahead and enjoy some delightful reading. Then come back for more fun! (Seriously. Read their take first – it includes the plot along with a treasure trove of bons mots.)
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Some Bullet Points
- We'll get this out of the way first. Sheer fun. 10/10, would rewatch this cream puff of a movie endlessly.
- Obviously, this series is based off of the Vogue actors. Based on that, Marilyn is the reason to watch Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. But I'd be remiss if she were the only person to concentrate on. There is a whole culture here to soak in. This movie makes me want to seek out some Jane Russell stuff too. In fact...
- This may be heresy to say, but here, Jane Russell > Marilyn Monroe. (Jane, already an established star, even got top billing over Marilyn, whose star was quickly rising.) Sure, the movie casts Marilyn as the flighty main character, with Jane as her more grounded (read: potentially more boring) foil, but giving Miss M the main plot allows Jane to sink her teeth into some delicious, timeless dialogue and (very nearly) the men's Olympic team. Her confidence and sass should provide inspiration for women and gay men of all sorts. Also, Jane does a smashing Lorelei impersonation on the witness stand. Is that really her voice, or is she doing the best lip-syncing in the history of film?
- Those costumes and outfits! Damn, the department did not scrimp on anything. Then again, it's Marilyn and Jane. You'd better make sure they're dressed to the nines if you're putting them on a transatlantic cruise that disembarks in Europe, France. Give the audience what they spent their good money for.
- Speaking of which: In 1953, when this movie was released, filming in color was reserved for only the biggest movies. Imagine how flat this movie would have fallen if filmed in black and white. Those brilliant, vivid costumes would have been wasted. Color was absolutely ESSENTIAL to the success of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
The Original Material Girl
- Marilyn Monroe perfects the role of the "dumb blonde" so well I feel icky even writing that to describe her character here. She may be supremely materialistic, but she's so intelligent and guileless in her pursuit of money and diamonds that it's impossible to resist her. (Ask Piggy. Or Gus. Or even, in the end, Gus's father.) Her conclusions make you realize she's not interested in money for money's sake, but for security. (It's just that she wants a lot of security.) To wit:
- "Don't you know that a man being rich is like a girl being pretty? You wouldn't marry a girl just because she's pretty, but my goodness, doesn't it help?"
- "I can be smart when it's important. But most men don't like it."
- "If a girl spends all of her time worrying about the money she doesn't have, how is she going to have any time for being in love?"
- "If you had a daughter, wouldn't you rather she didn't marry a poor man? You'd want her to have the most wonderful things in the world and to be very happy. Well, why is it wrong for me to want those things?"
- And the best for last: the stern conversation Gus's father has with Lorelei: "Have you got the nerve to tell me you don't want to marry my son for his money?" "It's true." "Then what do you want to marry him for?" "I want to marry him for your money!"
- From a cultural perspective, perhaps the biggest single reason to watch Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is to take in the glorious splendor that is "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." (The American Film Institute named it the 12th best film song of the 20th century.) Lyrically, it solidifies Lorelei's whole philosophy about wealth, which, again, is surprisingly pragmatic. Love in all its manifestations can be surprisingly fleeting, so go after what will keep you secure. Moreover, only a woman who is very knowledgeable about diamonds will discuss a diamond's cut ("square-cut or pear-shaped"), drop appropriate slang ("get that ice or else no dice"), use a jewelry term most would otherwise associate with food ("little fêtes get big baguettes"), and list off prominent jewelers like a shopping list. Of course, the difference between luxuriating in expensive jewelry and "paying the rental on your humble flat" is significant. Lorelei just aims higher, and she makes both goals sound worth pursuing.
- More brilliant commentary on Lorelei's iconic dress can be found here. (Thanks again to Tom & Lorenzo.)
Last Thoughts
- Can we take a moment to praise the fact that this movie depicts two women who, despite their differing views on men and money, still steadfastly support each other and only want the best for each other? I say this in the face of a culture that so often glorifies women as (fr)enemies. (Exhibit A, chronologically appropriate here: the unfortunate longstanding feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.)
- The title Gentlemen Prefer Blondes has literally nothing to do with any part of the film. Discuss.
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