You won't find a more elegant take on '50s va-va-voom vulgarity or a more joyous paean to the cheesecake self-empowerment of two little girls from Little Rock.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
The Two M-M-Marvels Of Our Age In The Wonder Musical Of The World!
1953 · 1h 31m · Approved
Comedy, Romance
Directed by
Howard Hawks
Overview
Lorelei Lee is a beautiful showgirl engaged to be married to the wealthy Gus Esmond, much to the disapproval of Gus' rich father, Esmond Sr., who thinks that Lorelei is just after his money. When Lorelei goes on a cruise accompanied only by her best friend, Dorothy Shaw, Esmond Sr. hires Ernie Malone, a private detective, to follow her and report any questionable behavior that would disqualify her from the marriage.
Director and cast
- Howard Hawks Director
- Jane Russell as Dorothy Shaw
- Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei Lee
- Charles Coburn as Sir Francis Beekman
- Elliott Reid as Ernie Malone
- Tommy Noonan as Gus Esmond
- George Winslow as Henry Spofford III
- Marcel Dalio as Magistrate
- Taylor Holmes as Mr. Esmond Sr.
- Norma Varden as Lady Beekman
- Howard Wendell as Watson
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
There's more warmth in [Russell's] fondly bemused looks at Monroe, whose friendship is a front-row ticket to the best show in town.
If camp comedy capering (don't call it a social satire!) isn't your thing, it's worth the ticket to see Monroe's iconic and flawlessly choreographed performance of Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (TM): a perfect four minutes of film.
A strong play to the sophisticated dialog and situations is given by Howard Hawks' direction and he maintains the racy air that brings the musical off excellently at a pace that helps cloak the fact that it's rather lightweight, but sexy, stuff.
A landmark encounter in the battle of the sexes.
More films
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Comedy · Crime · Romance · Approved
Two musicians witness a mob hit and need to quickly find a way out of Chicago. Their only opportunity comes in the form of joining an all-girl band as they prepare to leave on a tour. The two disguise themselves as women and struggle to keep their identities secret as the gangsters close in.
- Runtime
- 2h 2m
- Director
- Billy Wilder
- Cast
- Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe











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