LOVE NEST (1951)

Star of the Month... Marilyn Monroe & Star Birthday - William Lundigan

 Star Birthday - William Lundigan

William Lundigan was born on 12 June 1914, and began his career on radio before transitioning to films. Lundigan died on 20 December 1975 from lung and heart congestion.

Recommended viewing:

• Dodge City (1939)
• The Old Maid (1939)
• The Fighting 69th (1940)
• The Sea Hawk (1940)
• Santa Fe Trail (1940)
• Dishonored Lady (1947)
• Love Nest (1951)

For my blog I have chosen Love Nest (1951), a film co-starring June's Star of the Month, Marilyn Monroe.

Love Nest (1951)

Love Nest is a 1951 pleasant but bland comedy-drama starring June Haver, William Lundigan, Frank Fay, Jack Paar and Marilyn Monroe in an early supporting role. The film is directed by Joseph Newman.

Jim Scott (played by Lundigan) returns home after serving time in the army to find his wife Connie (played by Haver) has spent all their savings in buying a run down apartment building, with an expensive list of repairs. Jealously takes over Connie, as Jim leases one of the apartments to his "former army buddy Bobbie Stevens", which happens to be short for Roberta (played by Marilyn Monroe in an early screen appearance).  The film takes an interesting turn as an FBI agent begins investigating one of the tenants, who may be a serial con artist.

Overall the film is funny, however it begins quite slow. Marilyn Monroe first appears after about 30 minutes into the film, and the pace begins to pick up once she appears. Had Marilyn not appeared in this film, the film would not be as enjoyable to watch, and would have been yet another forgotten b-grade comedy.

Something I found amusing was seeing married couple Jim and Connie sleeping in separate single beds. This was a censorship requirement of the time, as a man and woman were not permitted to appear in a bed together.

Did you know...

• The film was the last appearance for both comedian Frank Fay and silent film star Leatrice Joy.