FUN!
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes U
USA | 1953 91 minutes
DIRECTED BY
Howard Hawks
STARRING
Jane Russell|Marilyn Monroe|Charles Coburn
This 1953 musical is tremendous fun, with two stars at the top of their game, some great musical numbers, lavish costumes, and all in glorious Technicolor!
The hare-brained plot involves two showgirls - Dorothy (Jane Russell) and Lorelei (Marilyn Monroe) - making an Atlantic-liner crossing, destination Paris, along with wealthy travellers and the American Olympic team. Monroe plays the not-so-dumb dumb blonde, while Russell smoulders and cracks with cutting one-liners. The men in pursuit are variously young, athletic, wimpish, old, rich and charming. But what's great to see is the chemistry underlying the solidarity between the two female stars - respectively the sex symbols of the 1940s (Jane) and the 1950s (Marilyn). It's a friendship that remains strong and true in the face the full spectrum of stereotypical gender politics.
There are some superb set-pieces. Marilyn's rendition of 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend' has become the stuff of legend; while Jane, who was the major star at the time, entertains with 'Ain't There Anyone Here for Love?', which she performs amongst the scantily-clad male Olympic swimming team. Objectification? What objectification?
11 March 2024 MONDAY 19:30
Playhouse Main Screen
Tickets £8.00|£5.00 (up to age 25)