My favorite part of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) is the floor show number where Marilyn Monroe, pretty in pink, sings “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Decades later, Madonna would pay homage to this classic scene in her “Material Girl” music video. Not only does Marilyn Monroe look fabulous in this film, but Jane Russell more than holds her own with her singing and dancing.
Marilyn and Jane are best friends. Marilyn is obsessed with money. She has the son of a multi-millionaire interested in marrying her, but his father is balking. Jane likes tall, handsome men regardless of their financial status. While on a cruise ship to Europe, Jane flirts with the American Olympic Team. There’s a silly subplot about a diamond tiara and some hijinks about recovering some damning photographs of Marilyn with a conniving old man. All in all, Gentleman Prefer Blondes delivers frothy fun. What’s your favorite Marilyn Monroe movie? GRADE: A-