Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) DVD Reviews

Starring	Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid
Director	Howard Hawks
Genres	Comedy, Music/Musical, Romance

Critics' reviews (2) of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
View all
Marilyn Monroe's star was well and truly rising when she portrayed author Anita Loos's gold-digging Lorelei Lee in this scintillating 20th Century-Fox musical, cannily directed by Howard Hawks who had a clever understanding of how to exploit Monroe's star power — he'd previously directed her in Monkey Business. Watch how even co-star Jane Russell is entranced by the blonde bombshell during their duets. Monroe particularly shines in the superbly photographed (Harry J Wild) and brilliantly choreographed (Jack Cole) production numbers, most notably Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend — watch for an uncredited young George Chakiris (West Side Story) in the chorus. The movie opens with a scene which uses the sparkling Technicolor to best effect, as Monroe and Russell announce that they're just Two Little Girls from Little Rock, and it simply takes off from there. The men are underused — but who cares? — and the third act is a flat and contrived letdown, but make no mistake: this is the movie that consolidated Monroe's stardom and showcased her special talent to the full. Don't miss.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Musicalized and updated version of the twenties satire; no real vigour, but not too bad.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Go Girls!

If you like Marilyn, don't miss this one, she is at her dazzling best, looking great and proving again that although she herself had many doubts about it, she is really a very talented actress. Jane Russell is wonderful too, it's a great double act.
- - Hugh Palmer from Oxford, UK
  - Posted 15 Dec 2004 21:29
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

WONDERFUL

Both Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are fantastic in this film. Marilyn is very entertaining as the silly blonde, one of her best performances. So many people assume she was the typical dumb blonde that she so often played but the real woman behind the facade was anything but. Jane Russell's performance is sassy and witty and with all the songs, especially the most famous this is a very delightful, entertaining, light hearted comedy.
- - A customer from lanarkshire, scotland
  - Posted 22 Feb 2006 21:22
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Go Girls!

If you like Marilyn, don't miss this one, she is at her dazzling best, looking great and proving again that although she herself had many doubts about it, she is really a very talented actress. Jean Russell is wonderful too, it's a great double act.
- - Hugh Palmer from Oxford, UK
  - Posted 15 Dec 2004 21:28
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
View all
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Go Girls!

If you like Marilyn, don't miss this one, she is at her dazzling best, looking great and proving again that although she herself had many doubts about it, she is really a very talented actress. Jean Russell is wonderful too, it's a great double act.
- - Hugh Palmer from Oxford, UK
  - Posted 15 Dec 2004 21:28
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

This is a lovely film with some memorable songs. Marilyn Monroe, was a wonderful comedienne, as evidenced by the scene with her getting stuck in one of the ship's port-holes.
- - Miriam from Ealing, London
  - Posted 02 Jan 2009 21:19

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Go Girls!

If you like Marilyn, don't miss this one, she is at her dazzling best, looking great and proving again that although she herself had many doubts about it, she is really a very talented actress. Jane Russell is wonderful too, it's a great double act.
- - Hugh Palmer from Oxford, UK
  - Posted 15 Dec 2004 21:29
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

WONDERFUL

Both Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are fantastic in this film. Marilyn is very entertaining as the silly blonde, one of her best performances. So many people assume she was the typical dumb blonde that she so often played but the real woman behind the facade was anything but. Jane Russell's performance is sassy and witty and with all the songs, especially the most famous this is a very delightful, entertaining, light hearted comedy.
- - A customer from lanarkshire, scotland
  - Posted 22 Feb 2006 21:22
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

Go Girls!

If you like Marilyn, don't miss this one, she is at her dazzling best, looking great and proving again that although she herself had many doubts about it, she is really a very talented actress. Jean Russell is wonderful too, it's a great double act.
- - Hugh Palmer from Oxford, UK
  - Posted 15 Dec 2004 21:28
Loved it!!

Really good funny and entertaining film.

Loved the humour and the singing and dancing especially every Marilyn Monroe fans favourite song!
- - FruscianteFan from Jersey
  - Posted 25 May 2005 14:46
relaxed viewing

A humorous lighthearted story, just the thing for a girly night in.
- - A customer from Northumberland, England
  - Posted 11 Sep 2007 13:09
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

This is a lovely film with some memorable songs. Marilyn Monroe, was a wonderful comedienne, as evidenced by the scene with her getting stuck in one of the ship's port-holes.
- - Miriam from Ealing, London
  - Posted 02 Jan 2009 21:19
Marilyn at her Best

This is unique, a truly superb film.

The story line is very relevant for today's audience, any potential WAGs out there what this and you will see that there is nothing new under the sun.

Marilyn Monroe is superb in this film, Anita Loo's film stands the test of time. Jane Russell is slightly eclipsed by the brilliant Monroe, but she does a wonderful friend as the more intelligent, less vampish best friend.

Thank you, thank you this makes you realise how truly breathtaking the film industry can be!
- - FLYTHEDOG from Pontypridd
  - Posted 08 Feb 2009 14:03
Marilyn Monroe still has something!

Typical corny musical of the era with a plot which could be summed up in one sentence. Songs and dancing are excellent though and still worth watching after all these years.
- - A customer from Huntly
  - Posted 17 Mar 2009 11:56
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Classic Marilyn

Classic Marilyn Monroe, but in a role quite different to her usual style. Features only one song from her, and that is a pastiche! Shows what a wonderful actor she really was, a fact that is overlooked when it comes to her films. Lead male not so hot. Think he disappeared after this film, not surprising, really.
- - kiwigirl from London
  - Posted 26 Apr 2004 10:39
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful

Trite

Whether you enjoy this film will probably depend on your feelings about Marilyn. Except in small doses I find her simpering would-be sexyness hard to take. In this film there's just too much of her and the rest of the film doesn't compensate.
- - A customer from Northampton
  - Posted 29 Aug 2005 19:07

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Critics' reviews (2)
Marilyn Monroe's star was well and truly rising when she portrayed author Anita Loos's gold-digging Lorelei Lee in this scintillating 20th Century-Fox musical, cannily directed by Howard Hawks who had a clever understanding of how to exploit Monroe's star power — he'd previously directed her in Monkey Business. Watch how even co-star Jane Russell is entranced by the blonde bombshell during their duets. Monroe particularly shines in the superbly photographed (Harry J Wild) and brilliantly choreographed (Jack Cole) production numbers, most notably Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend — watch for an uncredited young George Chakiris (West Side Story) in the chorus. The movie opens with a scene which uses the sparkling Technicolor to best effect, as Monroe and Russell announce that they're just Two Little Girls from Little Rock, and it simply takes off from there. The men are underused — but who cares? — and the third act is a flat and contrived letdown, but make no mistake: this is the movie that consolidated Monroe's stardom and showcased her special talent to the full. Don't miss.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Musicalized and updated version of the twenties satire; no real vigour, but not too bad.
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006