How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) Directed by Jean Negulesco
Comedy / Drama / Romance
Film Review
How to Marry a Millionaire is
one of those loud, glossy Hollywood productions of the 1950s that
has was intended to make a big splash but delivers far less than is
promised. True, its trio of leading ladies - Bacall, Grable and
Monroe - has a magnetic draw that few can resist, but none of them
really gets to shine in this over-egged, lightweight comedy.
Instead, each actress seems to fall into a nicely caricatured
groove: Bacall is aloof and waspish, Grable is man-hungry and
shallow and Monroe is, yet again, the dumb blonde getting the fuzzy end
of the lollipop.
The film, directed with great gusto (but not much imagination) by Jean
Negulesco, is based on Zoe Akins's play "The Greeks Had a Word for
It". The plot is entirely predictable and offers few surprises
and even fewer decent laughs. Despite its obvious failings, the
film manages to be entertaining and doesn't drag. This is
reportedly the first film to have been shot using CinemaScope
widescreen - it is hard to imagine a more ludicrously pointless
application of new film technology to such a banal subject which
clearly doesn't need it.
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Film Synopsis
The enterprising Schatze Page is determined to make her fortune the
only way she knows - by hooking a millionaire husband for herself or
her two friends Loco Dempsey and Pola Debevoise. To that end, the
three girls rent a swanky New York apartment from a man who is in
hiding from the tax authorities, but they end up having to sell all of
the furniture to pay the rent when their dream husband fails to
materialise. Just when all seems lost, Loco lands a wealthy
businessman who invites them to a cocktail party. It is just the
opportunity they have been waiting for - and, sure enough, the three
girls each get their man. However, their plan to get rich quick
soon runs into difficulties...
Cast: Betty Grable (Loco Dempsey),
Marilyn Monroe (Pola Debevoise),
Lauren Bacall (Schatze Page),
David Wayne (Freddie Denmark),
Rory Calhoun (Eben),
Cameron Mitchell (Tom Brookman),
Alexander D'Arcy (J. Stewart Merrill),
Fred Clark (Waldo Brewster),
William Powell (J.D. Hanley),
Robert Adler (Cab Driver),
Merry Anders (Model),
Jan Arvan (Tony),
Charlotte Austin (Model),
Benny Burt (Reporter),
Harry Carter (Elevator Operator),
Jack Chefe (Waiter at Wedding),
Herbert Deans (Steward),
Van Des Autels (Best Man),
George Dunn (Mike),
Eve Finnell (Stewardess)
Country: USA
Language: English / French / Latin / Arabic
Support: Color
Runtime: 95 min
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