Picture Credit: http://thecoachellavalleyartscene.com/

I watched something cool. I wanna talk about it...

The Basics:

Director: Jean Negulesco
Screenplay: Nunnally Johnson
Music by: Alfred Newman & Cyril Mockridge
Release Date: 4th November 1953 (5th November USA)
Runtime: 1hr35min
Genre: Comedy
Classification: U
IMDb rating*: 7/10
Starring: Lauren Bacall as Schatze, Betty Grable as Loco, Marilyn Monroe as Pola

Synopsis:

Warning, spoilers... duh.

Essentially, we have our typical "I want a Disney Prince" situation, with three Manhattan models all craving the richness of a man in a tuxedo. In order to gain the attention of any rich men that come their way, 'Schatze' (Lauren Bacall) sells basically everything in the penthouse she is renting, bar her clothes and a table with a phone on it, to make herself richer. Yes, that's right, she sells furniture she doesn't own, to make cash - resulting in some rather comedic scenes with the landlord! One day, while the three girls are lounging outside, there is a knock at the door and it is opened to reveal a rather strapping young man, who invites the three of them to a party. At said party, each girl meets a gentleman, who they believe to be "Mr Right", or rather "Mr Rich" and desperately cling to them for all they are worth. While all of this is going on, all three fall for three other men, although they're supposedly not as rich... They try to ignore their hearts, but in the end, love wins over money and 'Schatze', 'Pola' and 'Loco' each end up with men who they love and awww and it's cute and adorable and yep.......


BUT!! THERE IS MORE!! BECAUSE... 'Schatze' has a love interest, 'Tom', who everyone suspected to be poor. He pulls out a $1000 note at dinner and casually lets slip his net worth of $200 million, to which the three ladies, with their new partners, promptly faint and the men toast their unconscious bodies.

(I mean, they don't toast them. There is no chargrilled Monroe on the menu at this restaurant. 'Tom' proposes a toast. With wine. And glasses.)

Highlights:

Well, throughout the film, Monroe's character, 'Pola', maintains the fact that "Men aren’t attentive to girls who wear glasses", taking them off as soon as she is in male company. This provides a comedic tone to the film and Monroe acts her character's naïve innocence beautifully. Monroe is a wonder to watch and a laugh-a-minute script makes her all the funnier.

The owner of the rented residence, who ends up with a key part in the end of the film, makes comedic appearances throughout; his facial expressions are hysterical. A particular favourite moment of mine is when 'Schatze' has sold all the furniture and he breaks into the suite, to see a blank apartment. He breaks in again a few days later to see that all the furniture is restored and the bewilderment that washes over his face did make me giggle.

The Final Score: