Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”, is the motto of Marilyn Monroe’s Lorelei in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Her other most important friendship she maintains with fellow showgirl Dorothy, played by Jane Russell. The two friends board a cruise to Paris, where Lorelei will marry millionaire Gus. However, Gus’ wealthy father wants to put a stop to this plan and hires a private detective to investigate if Lorelei is only in it for the money or truly loves his son.

In this wonderful classical musical sex symbols Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell showcase their acting talent and impeccable comedic timing. Monroe’s rendition of the original musical number Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend in the pink dress is a quintessential pop culture moment and was recreated by many artists, like Madonna and Beyoncé (and even Ryan Gosling as Barbie’s Ken). The studio 20th Century-Fox wanted to pit Monroe and Russell against each other, but the stars got along splendidly and even referred to each other endearingly as ‘the blonde’ and ‘the brunette’.

Howard Hawks’ musical charmed its audience and was a box office success. The movie was also critically acclaimed and received favourable reviews. One of the movie’s most unlikely fans was probably German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, who even ranked the musical in sixth place in his top 10 of best films.

This screening is part of MARILYN 100, an ode to the iconic Marilyn Monroe in what would’ve been her 100th year of life.