The 1953 musical comedy “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” from Twentieth Century Fox was directed by Howard Hawks with the screenplay written by Charles Lederer and Joseph Fields based on the musical play by Anita Loos. Starring: Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid, Tommy Noonan, George Winslow, Taylor Holmes and Norma Varden.
Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) and her best friend Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell) are both best friends and singers. Lorelei and Dorothy may be just “two little girls from Little Rock”, but neither of these women are fools. While Dorothy is more interested in security, it’s Lorelei’s perspective of “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” that has become the defining statement of the feminine mystique.
The two lounge singers are working their way to Paris on a transatlantic cruise, and in-between shows, they enjoy the company of any eligible man who tickles their fancy. Lorelei justifies every action with the statement: “Don’t you know that a man being rich is like a girl being pretty? You might not marry a girl just because she’s pretty, but, my goodness, doesn’t it help?”
Their adventures during the cruise and once they arrive in Paris, France fill the screen with hilarious incidents; Lorelei hot and cold relationship with the button tycoon Gus Esmond Jr. (Tommy Noonan). Because it’s clear that Lorelei loves his wealth more than his person, this has made her suspect in the eyes of his father Gus Esmond Sr. (Taylor Holmes) and he sends a detective to keep an eye on her on the cruise. But throughout the cruise and beyond the detective finds little to report, because he too falls under the spell of Lorelei’s charming ways.
Lorelei and Dorothy are both beautiful, so innocent flirtations with the elderly Sir Francis Beekman (Charles Coburn), are expected, but not forgiven by Lady Beekman (Norma Varden), especially after he generously gives Lorelei a diamond tiara. Lady Beekman’s jealousy causes her to accuse Lorelei of stealing it.
Meanwhile Dorothy and wealthy Philadelphian Henry Spoffard (George Winslow) are involved in a more sincere romance. While she is interested she refuses his attentions because she doesn’t want to be seen as a gold-digger, which Lorelei could care less about. Spoffard is totally confused about Dorothy’s attitude and continues to court her in hopes of changing her mind and marrying her.
Although Lorelei continues to waver between commitment and security of marriage and the freedom to enjoy the attentions eligible men, even she has to admit that love still rules the day.
