Romancefest 2018: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Time for another Howard Hawks movie, this time 1953's GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Marilyn Monroe famously stars as one half of a showgirl duo rounded out by pal Jane Russell. Monroe's engaged to be married to a rich guy (Tommy Noonan) whose father does not approve. Noonan unexpectedly has to skip their cruise to Paris thanks to his disapproving father, but Monroe and Russell have to hit the seas anyway to get to their next gig. Noonan sends a private eye (Elliot Reid) on board to make sure Monroe behaves.

Once on the cruise, all kinds of wacky hijinks ensue as Monroe sets her sights on an elderly diamond magnate and Russell first goes after the entire Men's Olympics team, before getting the hots for Reid.

The movie is most famous for Monroe's performance, her pink dress, and the song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" and rightfully so. She's great in the movie, and funny as always, but as far as I'm concerned Russell stole the show as the wisecracking, sarcastic half of the duo, especially in her poolside, double-entendre-laden number with the Men's Olympics team, "Anyone Here for Love."