The Prince and the Showgirl

Star of the month... Marilyn Monroe

Spotlight on... Royalty on Film

Marilyn Monroe as Elsie Marina

'The Prince and the Showgirl' is a 1957 royal romantic comedy directed by and starring Laurence Olivier with Marilyn Monroe and Sybil Thorndike.  The film was released by Marilyn's production company Marilyn Monroe Productions and is  written by Terence Rattigan, based on his 1953 play 'The Sleeping Prince'.


The film has recently received some attention in the film 'My Week with Marilyn' (2011) - this is the film Marilyn is making during the film.

Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe
as 'The Prince & the Showgirl'

King Nicholas of Capathia, and his father the Regent Prince Charles (played by Olivier) arrive in London in June 1911. Whilst the Regent is attending a musical performance of 'The Coconut Girl', he becomes interested in showgirl Elsie Marina (played by Monroe), and invites her to the embassy for "supper". The next day, the Queen Dowager (played by Thorndike) suggests Elsie should join her as a lady-in-waiting. Later that evening, the King invites Elsie to the Ball, as his partner.

Did you know...

• The film was originally meant to be a musical, however Marilyn's then husband Arthur Miller persuaded Marilyn to lose the songs
• This was the only film Marilyn made outside of the USA
• Olivier played the role of The Regent opposite his real life wife Vivien Leigh

Awards and nominations

• BAFTA nomination: Best British Actor (Laurence Olivier)
• BAFTA nomination: Best Foreign Actress (Marilyn Monroe)
• BAFTA nomination: Best British Film
• BAFTA nomination: Best British Screenplay (Terence Rattigan)
• BAFTA nomination: Best Film from any Source
• Italian Film Academy David Di Donatello Award winner: Best Foreign Actress (Marilyn Monroe)
• French Film Academy Crystal Star Award winner: Best Foreign Actress (Marilyn Monroe)
• National Board of Review Award Winner - Best Supporting Actress (Sybil Thorndike)

Closing remarks

The first hour of the film is very enjoyable to watch, however the second hour is rather slow and gets boring at times. The film was originally meant to be a musical, which may have sped up the pace a little.

Elegant production design of the embassy makes this film a visual feast, with Marilyn's dazzling and delightful portrayal of the blonde bombshell. The acting highlight goes to Sybil Thorndike in her role as the deaf and witty Queen Mother.

Ladies of the Chorus (1951)

Star of the month... Marilyn Monroe

"Every baby needs a da-da-daddy to keep her worry free... could my da-daddy be you?"

'Ladies of the Chorus' (1948) is a Columbia Pictures low-budget b-grade musical directed by Phil Karlson and features Marilyn Monroe in her first major role as Peggy Martin.

Peggy Martin is a burlesque star who falls for a wealthy man, Randy Carroll (played by Rand Brooks). Her mother Mae Martin (played by Adele Jergens) is concerned about the class difference and whether Peggy will be happy with Rand. 

This film was made as part of Marilyn's 6 month contract with Columbia Pictures, and as the film was not a success, her contract with Columbia was not renewed.

Musical program

Marilyn sings "Anyone Can See I Love You", "Every Baby Needs a Da Da Daddy" and "Ladies of the Chorus".

Song: "Every Baby Needs a Da Da Daddy" - Marilyn Monroe

Song: "Anyone Can See I Love You" - Marilyn Monroe

Did you know...

• This movie was filmed in just 10 days 
• Adele Jergens (playing Marilyn's mother Mae) was only 9 years older than Marilyn
• This film features Marilyn Monroe's first onscreen kiss
• After Marilyn became a star, the film was released in November 1952 - Columbia redesigned the opening title credits to play Marilyn's name over the film title, above Adele Jergens, who was originally billed first
• Actor Eddie Garr is the father of Terri Garr

Closing remarks

This is the first time I had seen this film, and I really enjoyed it, despite it's predictable storyline. Recommended for fans of Marilyn. Jergens and Monroe are great as mother/daughter burlesque chorines.

Some Like it Hot (1959)

Star of the Month... Marilyn Monroe

"I wanna be loved by you alone... boop-boop-bee-doop!"

Marilyn Monroe is held by co-stars
Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon

'Some Like It Hot' is the 1959 romantic screwball comedy starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, and directed by Billy Wilder.  The supporting cast includes Joe E. Brown, George Raft, Pat O'Brien,  Joan Shawlee and Nehemiah Persoff.

The film was named the funniest movie of all time by the American Film Institute, and also the 14th best film ever made. 

In 1989, the film was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant."

'Some Like It Hot' is set in 1929 and begins as musicians Joe and Jerry (played by Curtis & Lemmon) witness a murder and they flee for their lives. To avoid being found by the murdering gangsters,  Joe and Jerry disguise themselves as women, and call themselves Josephine and Daphne. Josephine and Daphne join an all-girl band, with vocalist Sugar Kane Kowalczyk (played by Monroe). To complicate things, a millionaire Osgood Fielding III (played by Brown) falls in love with Daphne, and proposes. Meanwhile Joe (as Josephine) falls for Sugar.

Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Caine

Musical program

The film is semi-musical with Marilyn singing three songs from the 1920s hit parade: "I Wanna Be Loved By You", "Runnin' Wild" and "I''m Through with Love".

Song - "I Wanna Be Loved You"

Song - "Runnin' Wild"

Song - "I'm Through With Love"

Did you know...

• The film was originally meant to be filmed in colour, but was changed to black and white due to a green tint in the make up worn by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon
• Some of the working titles for the film include 'Fanfares of Love' and 'Not Tonight, Josephine'

Awards and nominations

• Academy Award winner for Best Costume Design - Black & White
• Golden Globe winner for Best Motion Picture - Comedy
• Golden Globe winner for Best Actress in Musical or Comedy (Marilyn Monroe)
• Golden Globe winner for Best Actor in Musical or Comedy (Jack Lemmon)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Director
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Jack Lemmon)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction - Black & White
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography - Black & White 
• Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay based on material from another medium

Closing remarks

I strongly recommend 'Some Like It Hot' to virtually everyone. It is especially a good film to show if you are trying to introduce someone to classic film.

It is by far one of the funniest movies I have ever seen, though I'm not convinced it is "the funniest". Other films from memory which I personally funnier are 'Clue' (1985) and 'What's Up Doc?' (1972). Ironically both these two films star Madeline Kahn, who also happens to be one of my favourite comedians.

How to Marry a Millionaire (1954) - Star of the month... Marilyn Monroe

How to Marry a Millionaire is a 1954 romantic comedy starring Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable as three fortune hunting women plotting to trap eligible bachelors William Powell, Rory Calhoun, Cameron Mitchell, David Wayne, Fred Clark and Alexander D'Arcy. The film is directed by Jean Negulesco and written/produced by Nunnally Johnson.


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.

Legacy

A television series followed in 1957 with Barbara Eden (best known as Jeannie from 'I Dream of Jeannie'), Merry Anders, Lori Nelson and Lisa Gaye. The series ran for two years.


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.

Clash by Night (1952)

Star of the Month... Marilyn Monroe

'Clash by Night' is a 1952 film noir drama directed by Fritz Lang. The film stars Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas, Marilyn Monroe, Keith Andes and Robert Ryan. 

Marilyn's nude calendar photo
surfaced during the filming
of this film

Mae Doyle (played by Stanwyck) returns to her home town of Monterey, California after a 10 year absence to see her brother Joe (played by Andes) and his girlfriend Peggy (played by Monroe). After her return Mae marries fisherman Jerry (played by Douglas), before falling in love with Jerry's best friend Earl (played by Ryan). Mae and Earl engage in an affair, adding drama and strain to Mae's marriage.

The Monroe breakthrough

20th Century Fox loaned Marilyn to RKO Picture in order to make this film, considered to be her true breakthrough in film.  During filming, Marilyn's nude calendar photo surfaced skyrocketing her to international notoriety. 

Marilyn Monroe with Keith Anders

Closing remarks

'Clash by Night' is a mediocre film, but worth watching to see Marilyn's breakthrough performance.

River of No Return (1954)

Star of the Month... Marilyn Monroe

"If you listen you can hear it call... wailaree... there is a river called the River of No Return..."

Directed by Otto Preminger, 'The River of No Return' is a 1954 western tale of romance and revenge starring Marilyn Monroe, Robert Mitchum, Rory Calhoun and Tommy Rettig. The film is semi-musical with 4 Marilyn songs.

Set in 1875, Monroe stars as Kay Weston, a saloon singer forced to choose between two men, farmer Matt Calder (played by Mitchum) and gambler Harry Weston (played by Calhoun). After Harry steals Matt's horse and rifle, Matt and Kay (with Matt's son Mark) take to what the Native American Indians call, "the river of no return".

On their travels we see Kay and Mark battle against the odds up against a deadly gorge, a mountain lion attack, a Native American Indian ambush, and the most turbulent and wild rapid waters you'll ever see on film.

Shot on location, enjoy breathtaking and spectacular footage of the wild rapids of the Canadian Rockies. Also enjoy Marilyn, stunning as always, and in this fim we are treated to a longer haired Marilyn. Interestingly Marilyn claimed this was her worst film - however I don't think it's quite that bad.

Musical program

With a musical score by Cyril J. Mockridge, the film features 4 songs by Lionel Newman and Ken Darby: "One Silver Dollar", "Down in the Meadow", "The River Of No Return" and the shows topping "I'm Gonna File My Claim". All four songs are performed by Monroe.

Song - "I'm Gonna File My Claim"

Song - "Down in the Meadow"

Song - "One Silver Dollar"

Song - "The River of No Return"

Did you know...

• Marilyn Monroe and director Otto Preminger did not get along, and by the end of the film were no longer on speaking terms

Closing remarks

I am personally not a big fan of westerns - in fact, it's my least favourite film genre, although I must say 'The River of No Return' is one of the most enjoyable westerns I've ever watched, and certainly one of the only westerns I can watch again and again.

Niagara (1953) - Star of the month... Marilyn Monroe

"Kiss, kiss me, say you'll miss me..."

Marilyn Monroe is tantalising as Rose Loomis

Directed by Henry Hathaway, Niagara is the 1953 thriller/film noir starring Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters and Max Showalter, set against a backdrop of breathtaking views of Niagara Falls. Each time I watch this film, I have a burning desire to travel to Canada to see the falls in person. 

'Niagara' is an important film in Marilyn's career as it was the first film where she  received first billing, and with her overtly sexual performance she manages to steal the limelight from her co-stars.

Produced during the film noir period, "Niagara" despite being filmed in glorious Technicolor contains many of the noir elements and characteristics.

Marilyn sings the song "Kiss"

The film begins as Ray and Polly Cutler (played by Showalter and Peters) travel to Niagara Falls for a belated honeymoon. Upon arriving they find their cabin is still occupied by another couple, George and Rose Loomis (played by Cotten and Monroe). Rose is secretly in love with another man and with him schemes to murder George... the film will leave you surprised and shocked!

Tantalising Marilyn as femme-fatale is at her sexiest in this film, with the camera superbly capturing her curvy walk, and dazzling close ups of her face. Marilyn sings the song "Kiss", which she also recorded. The song is used as a recurring musical motif throughout the film, and will leave you humming it's tune long after the film is finished.

Niagara Falls as a metaphor

Early in the film George talks to Polly about Niagara Falls, how above the water is calm and slow, and it eventually becomes faster as it rapidly falls and crashes over the rocks. In hindsight, this is metaphorical in two ways. Firstly, it parallels the Loomis' troubled marriage. At the beginning of the film, the relationship appears to be calm, before a turning point, where the relationship "crashes against the rocks" towards the end of the film. Secondly, this parallels the structure of the film - particularly in the film's suspeneseful conclusion as we ride the wild rapids of Niagara Falls.

Niagara and Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol's "Marilyn Diptych" was inspired by
a publicity still from 'Niagara'.

Shortly after Monroe's death in 1962, pop artist Andy Warhol used a publicity still from 'Niagara' for his silkscreen painting 'Marilyn Diptych'.

Closing remarks

"Niagara and Monroe: The two most electrifying sights in the world" said the trailer. There's really no better way to describe the film, and nothing more I can say but make sure you watch this film.

Henry V (1944)

Spotlight on... Royalty on Film

Henry V is the 1944 adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare, and stars and is directed by the brilliant Laurence Olivier.  In fact, the full title of the film as it appears in the opening credits is "The Cronicle History of King Henry the Fift with His Battell Fought at Agincourt in France" - this was the title of the 1600 quarto edition of the play.

The film begins recreating Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where we feel part of the audience of a production of Henry V.  This was an effective technique used by Olivier, and gives a sense of realism of what the world would have been like during this time - it even rains halfway through the performance wetting the audience. The film later transitions into a stylised scenery and real life sets, before reverting to backdrops.

Beautifully filmed in vibrant colour, the film was intended to be a morale booster for Britain towards the end of World War II, and was partly funded by the British government.

Olivier won an Honorary Oscar for his "Outstanding achievement as actor, producer and director in bringing Henry V to the screen".

The film is considered to be the best adaptation of 'Henry V', and possibly one of the best film adaptions of any Shakespeare play.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Star of the Month - Marilyn Monroe

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a 1952 musical comedy starring Marilyn Monroe as a blonde fortune hunter and Jane Russell as her flirty sidekick.

Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell write their names
in cement...

The film is directed by Howard Hawks, and co-stars Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid, Tommy Noonan, Taylor Holmes and Norma Varden. Keep your eyes open during the song "Bye Bye Baby" to see George Chakiris in the chorus.

...The finished product

Diamond-obssessed gold digging showgirl Lorelei Lee takes to the sea with her friend Dorothy Shaw. On the voyage she meets Sir Frances Beekman, wealthy diamond mogul whose wife happens to own a diamond tiara. To cut a long story short, the tiara is stolen with Lorelei becoming prime suspect.



The film is based on the Broadway musical of the same name, and includes three songs from the show: "Just Two Little Girls From Little Rock", "Bye, Bye Baby" and the immortal "Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend". Two new songs were written for the film: "Ain't There Anyone Here For Love?" and "When Love Goes Wrong, Nothing Goes Right".


At the premiere of 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' Marilyn and Jane pressed their hands and footprints into cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre.




The film received great reviews and grossed more than double its production costs. It was followed by a sequel in 1955, "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes", again starring Jane Russell - but sadly no Marilyn.

Diamonds are a girls best friend

Marilyn as Lorelei sings "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend"

The film is memorable for Marilyn's sequence in a pink dress singing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend". The sequence has been recreated by many, most notably Madonna in her music video for "Material Girl" and Kylie Minogue's live performance at the Fox Studios Opening in Sydney.




YouTube videos for each of these performances are available below:


Marilyn Monroe - "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"

Madonna - "Material Girl"

Kylie Minogue - Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

Other inspiration

Jane Russell's sequence "Ain't There Anyone Here For Love" inspired Kylie Minogue's 'Whatever Kylie Wants Kylie Gets' sequence in her 2005 Showgirl Tour.


Jane Russell - "Ain't There Anyone Here For Love?"

Kylie Minogue - "Red Blooded Woman/Where The Wild Roses Grow" (live from Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour, 2005)

Other musical highlights

Song: "Bye Bye Baby" - Jane Russell & Marilyn Monroe

Song: "When Love Goes Wrong, Nothing Goes Right" - Jane Russell & Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn and Jane in a deleted scene from the film

Did you know...

• Marilyn Monroe replaced Betty Gable, who was originally meant to star as Lorelei
• Marilyn Monroe was payed a salary of only $18,000, while Jane Russell was paid more than $100,000

Closing remarks

Of all of Marilyn's films, this is my favourite! I have seen the film at least 20 times, and every time I watch it, I enjoy it more and more. I strongly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys musicals, or just a good laugh.

The Student Prince (1954)

Spotlight on... Royalty on Film

"You are King first, last and always... and never forget it..."

The Student Prince is a 1954 MGM musical starring Edmund Purdom, Ann Blyth and only the singing voice of Mario Lanza. The film was directed by Richard Thorpe, who replaced the original director Curtis Bernhardt.  The film co-stars Louis Calhern, S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall, Edmund Gwenn, John Ericson, Betta St. John, Evelyn Varden, John Williams and John Hoyt. The film is edited by Gene Ruggiero.

The film is based on the classic operetta by Sigmund Romberg and Dorothy Donnelly, and tells the story of Karl (played by Purdom), a young Prince who is being arranged to marry a Princess, who falls in love with bar maid Kathie (played by Blyth) while he is studying.

A supporting actor I'd like to acknowledge is Hungarian character actor S.Z. Sakall, who aside from being one of my favourite film sidekicks, manages to steal almost every film he appears in.

Musical highlights include "The Drinking Song" 

(I'm surprised a beer company has yet to feature this in a TV commericial), the immortal "Serenade", and new song written for the film "Beloved".

Mario Lanza - the original male diva

After recording the soundtrack to the film, Lanza battled artistic differences with director original director Curtis Bernhardt and MGM production head Dore Schary. This led to MGM firing Lanza, which acted as a catalyst to his eating, drinking and drug problem that was to cause his early death. As sad as the story was, it's the price you pay when you act like a diva.

As a devout Mario Lanza fan, I must say it is heartbreaking hearing Mario's voice, bounding out of Edmund Purdom's mouth.  

At times, Lanza's vocal performance is not always consistent with the Purdom's acting style - a somewhat different acting performance to what Lanza would have delivered.

Closing remarks

Overall the film has a good story, and is beautifully filmed.  This had potential to become Mario Lanza's greatest film, had he remained cast in the role of Karl.