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Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.8/10
Reviews Counted: 36
Fresh: 35 | Rotten: 1

Anchored by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell's sparkling magnetism, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a delightfully entertaining 1950s musical.

Average Rating: 7/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 1

Anchored by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell's sparkling magnetism, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a delightfully entertaining 1950s musical.

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 38,112

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Movie Info

Second-billed Marilyn Monroe is the blonde in question in this second film version of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Miss Lorelei Lee, whose philosophy is "diamonds are a girl's best friend." Together with her best human friend Dorothy (top-billed Jane Russell), showgirl Lorelei embarks upon a boat trip to Paris, where she intends to marry millionaire Gus Esmond (Tommy Noonan). En route, the girls are bedeviled by private detective Malone (Elliot Reid), hired by Esmond's father (Taylor Holmes) to

Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.

Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

Directed By: Howard Hawks

Written By: Charles Lederer

In Theaters: Jul 15, 1953 Wide

On DVD: May 29, 2001

20th Century Fox

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Trailer & Photos

Cast

Jane Russell
Dorothy Shaw
Marilyn Monroe
Lorelei Lee
Charles Coburn
Sir Francis Beekman
Elliott Reid
Det. Malone
Tommy Noonan
Gus Esmond
George Winslow
Henry Spofford III
Marcel Dalio
Magistrate
Taylor Holmes
Gus Esmond Sr.
Norma Varden
Lady Beekman
Howard Wendell
Watson
Steven Geray
Hotel Manager
Henri Letondal
Grotier
Leo Mostovoy
Phillipe
Alex Frazer
Pritchard
George Davis
Cab Driver
Alphonse Martell
Headwaiter
James Moultrie
Boy Dancer
Fred Moultrie
Boy Dancer
Jean De Briac
Gendarme
Peter Camlin
Gendarme
Harry Carey Jr.
Winslow
Jean Del Val
Ship's Capt
Ray Montgomery
Peters
Alvy Moore
Anderson
Robert Nichols
Evans
Charles Tannen
Ed
Jimmy Young
Stevens
Charles De Ravenne
Purser
John Close
Coach
William Cabanne
Sims
Jack Chefe
Proprietor
George Chakiris
Dancer
Robert Foulk
Ralph Peters
Passport Official
Jimmy Saung
Dancer
Rolfe Sedan
Waiter
Harry Seymour
Captain of Waiters
Max Willenz
Court Clerk
Alfred Paix
Pierre

Critic Reviews for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

All Critics (36) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (39) | Rotten (1) | DVD (22)

For all the three-dimensional attractions of its two leading ladies, this is a rather flat cinemusical.

January 26, 2011 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine

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TIME Magazine

Top Critic

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.

August 3, 2010 Full Review Source: Village Voice

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Nick Pinkerton

Village Voice

Top Critic

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.

May 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety

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William Brogdon

Variety

Top Critic

A landmark encounter in the battle of the sexes.

May 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

There is that about Miss Russell and also about Miss Monroe that keeps you looking at them even when they have little or nothing to do. Call it inherent magnetism. Call it luxurious coquetry. Call it whatever you fancy.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Top Critic

there is not one single moment when these characters, or this rightful classic, wear out their welcome

August 5, 2010 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

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Chris Cabin

Filmcritic.com

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.

August 4, 2010 Full Review Source: Time Out New York

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David Fear

Time Out New York

If there's a single film that could shatter Laura Mulvey's theory of the "male gaze" it's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

August 1, 2010 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

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Christian Blauvelt

Slant Magazine

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.

February 26, 2010 Full Review Source: Time Out

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David Jenkins

Time Out

When it sparkles, which it does more often than not, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is simply one of the most delicious musicals of the period.

February 26, 2010 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell melt the screen as the two little girls from Little Rock seeking Mr Right (or at least Mr Right(TM)s bank account). It(TM)s enjoyable, escapist fluff, with a killer finale.

February 26, 2010 Full Review Source: Times [UK]

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Wendy Ide

Times [UK]

Those two faces are incredible in juxtaposition: Russell is worldly, amused, intensely in touch: Monroe is sublimely unfocused and beatific. A joy.

February 26, 2010 Full Review Source: Guardian [UK]

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian [UK]

This 1953 Howard Hawks film, a lightweight but agreeable adaptation of Anita Loos�(TM)s acid novel and play, is mainly notable for cementing Marilyn Monroe�(TM)s public image of breathy, faux-innocent sexuality.

February 26, 2010 Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph

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David Gritten

Daily Telegraph

Monroe shines in the superbly photographed and choreographed production numbers, most notably Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend.

February 26, 2010 Full Review Source: Radio Times

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Tony Sloman

Radio Times

A sparkling new print of Howard Hawks's 1953 musical comedy, which paired Monroe and Russell at their spangled, curvaceous, lipsticky best.

February 26, 2010 Full Review Source: Independent

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John Walsh

Independent

There was something missing from this ironical musical and it wasn't from the star performers.

July 10, 2008 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Garish good fun.

May 13, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

One of the most charming, entertaining musicals of the 1950s.

May 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

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David Parkinson

Empire Magazine

In Paris the enjoyment diminishes, though Monroe's allure remains undimmed.

May 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4

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Film4

Smashing.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

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Time Out

Vavooom!

March 13, 2006 Comment

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

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An enjoyable mix of best friends who want very opposite things from potential husbands. For me, Jane Russell stole the spotlight in this film, whilst Marilyn was much more over the top. As a Musical it's very forgettable, but otherwise it made for easy watching.

September 20, 2006

Lady D'arbanville

Super Reviewer

A pretty good movie, it's almost exactly like How to Marry a Millionaire, but it's slightly better, mostly because it's funnier.

September 5, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Quotes

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1. Lorelei Lee: I always say a kiss on the hand might feel very good, but a diamond tiara lasts forever.
– Submitted by Chris P (9 months ago)

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