'The All-Star Bond Rally' is a 1945 propaganda short film intended to encourage the public to purchase additional war bonds in aid of World War II. The film opens with an introduction from Darryl F. Zanuck and features Marian Jordan and Jim Jordan as Fibber & Molly McGee, a married couple attending the rally.
Hosted by Bob Hope, the film features...
"I'll Be Marching to a Love Song" - Betty Grable and her Bombardiers
"Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week" - Frank Sinatra with Harry James and his Orchestra
"Guardian Angels" - played on the harp by Harpo Marx
"Thanks for the Memory" (short snippet) - Bob Hope
A tribute to popular war time pin-up girls including Linda Darnell, Faye Marlowe, Jeanne Crain, June Haver, Vivian Blaine and Carmen Miranda
"Bond Rally Song" - Bing Crosby with Harry James and his Orchstra
The film is best known as the first film ever to be filmed in CinemaScope widescreen, and the second CinemaScope film to be released. It was also the first colour film to be shown on network television in the US.
Marilyn plays near sighted blonde bimbo Pola Debevoise
Schatze Page (played by Bacall), Loco Dempsey (played by Grable) and Pola Debevoise (played by Monroe) rent a luxurious penthouse apartment owned by Freddie Denmark (played by Wayne), who is avoiding authorities. They believe renting the apartment will help them find, trap and marry eligible millionaires with hilarious consequences.
Marilyn is typecast as a ditsy blonde bimbo who can't see without her glasses. Afraid men will not be interested in her if she wears her glasses, she risks her safety by taking them off and walking into walls.
The three leading ladies wear glamourous costumes designed by William Travilla.
Musical score
The film's musical score is by Alfred Newman, who can be seen in the overture conducting his orchestra. The overture "Street Scene" has no relevance to the rest of the film and was intended to show off new technology being used in the film: sterophonic sound and CinemaScope. Newman and the Orchestra reappear briefly for the end titles.
In 2007, Australian actress Nicole Kidman purchased the rights for the film with the intention of producing and perhaps starring in the film, however we are yet to see this surface.
Awards and nominations
Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design, Colour
Writers Guide of America nomination for Best Written American Comedy
BAFTA nomination for Best Film (USA)
Closing remarks
'How to Marry a Millionaire' is an enjoyable experience, with Marilyn Monroe once again stealing the film in one the great CinemaScope wonders of the 1950s. It is great to see 1930s film veteran William Powell as charming as ever in his second last film.
