susan, susan, susan

How To Marry A Millionaire

[Twentieth Century Fox, 1953]

Starring:
Marilyn Monroe
Betty Grable
Lauren Bacall
William Powell
Rory Calhoun

average rating: ★★★
~
performance: ★★★
screenplay: ★★
plot/storyline: ★★★
cinematography: ★★
~
Marilyn Monroe!

Personally, I don't recall watching many, if any, Marilyn Monroe movies, so I was curious to see her in this film. To my surprise, Marilyn's performance is fun and endearing. She's pretty young, 28 years old, and already seems to have a good sense of comedy timing. In this film, Marilyn doesn't seem to have the starring role, but is supporting Betty and Lauren. Even still, Caroline and I enjoyed her performance.

This film is about three women (models) who have decided to intentionally seek and snag millionaires for husbands. Lauren's character was the ring-leader, instructing the other girls on the proper way to attract millionaire men, and above all, stay away from "gas jockeys."

Marilyn and Betty's characters were meant to be rather simple and silly. Marilyn's character, Pola, wore glasses and was "blind as a bat" without them. Since she considered wearing glasses as a horrible, unattractive thing, she always took them off around other people. So, Pola bumped into walls and doors, etc., it was pretty funny.

The movie had a predictable, funny ending that tied in with the beginning and middle, which was surprising, considering other films we've watched from the same era.