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.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 38,112
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.
Jul 15, 1953 Wide
May 29, 2001
20th Century Fox
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.
Top CriticThere's more warmth in [Russell's] fondly bemused looks at Monroe, whose friendship is a front-row ticket to the best show in town.
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.
A landmark encounter in the battle of the sexes.
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.
there is not one single moment when these characters, or this rightful classic, wear out their welcome
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.
If there's a single film that could shatter Laura Mulvey's theory of the "male gaze" it's Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
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.
When it sparkles, which it does more often than not, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is simply one of the most delicious musicals of the period.
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.
Those two faces are incredible in juxtaposition: Russell is worldly, amused, intensely in touch: Monroe is sublimely unfocused and beatific. A joy.
This 1953 Howard Hawks film, a lightweight but agreeable adaptation of Anita Loosâ(TM)s acid novel and play, is mainly notable for cementing Marilyn Monroeâ(TM)s public image of breathy, faux-innocent sexuality.
Monroe shines in the superbly photographed and choreographed production numbers, most notably Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend.
A sparkling new print of Howard Hawks's 1953 musical comedy, which paired Monroe and Russell at their spangled, curvaceous, lipsticky best.
There was something missing from this ironical musical and it wasn't from the star performers.
Garish good fun.
One of the most charming, entertaining musicals of the 1950s.
In Paris the enjoyment diminishes, though Monroe's allure remains undimmed.
Smashing.
Vavooom!
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, 2006Super 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, 2010Super Reviewer
| 35% | The Hangover Part II |
| 25% | Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Par... |
| 81% | Kung Fu Panda 2 |
| 44% | Cowboys & Aliens |
| 83% | Rise of the Planet of the Apes |
| 25% | Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Par... |
| 88% | Lady and the Tramp |
| 69% | A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas |
| 21% | Fireflies in the Garden |
| 45% | The Rebound |
Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1
See the all-new action-packed trailer!
Five new Marvelous pictures
Unconventional Superheroes