Gentleman Prefer Blondes is one of the first films to make Marilyn Monroe a star and her scene singing Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend has become so iconic it has inspired performers through the years to do their own version of the song or scene for their music videos. The 1953 comedy musical paired Monroe with the already accomplished star Jane Russel as showgirl best friends who dream of finding their respective perfect guy. For Monroe’s character Lorelei Lee, only a rich man will do, while Jane Russel’s character Dorothy Shaw’s head is turned by every buff athletic body they pass.
Originally a stage musical, Gentleman Prefer Blonds director Howard Hawks brought in choreographer Jack Cole to direct the film’s stage performances. Charles Coburn, Taylor Holmes, Tommy Noonan, Elliot Ried, Norma Varden and George Winslow star as supporting cast. Songs were added just for the movie, written by the team of Harold Adamson and Hoagy Carmichael.
The movie’s principle Blond bombshell Lorelei Lee is engaged to marry a nerdy and naive Gus Esmond, played by Tommy Noonan, but he comes from old money and Esmond Sr doesn’t think that a showgirl is a suitable wife for his son. He keeps his son from sailing away to Paris to marry Ms. Lee and when she goes ahead on the ship with a promissory note for expenses, he has a private eye Ernie Malone, played by Elliott Reid tail her.
Lorelei is partial to diamonds and the ship has a diamond tycoon Sir Francis Beekman, played by Charles Coburn, on board. He flirts with her relentlessly despite being married. He manages to demonstrate a python’s hold on Lorelei, just when Malone snaps some incriminating photos. Dorothy who is accompanying Lorelei to Paris, catches him and hatches a plot to get the misleading photos away from him before they can be passed onto Esmond Sr. She and Lorelei drug him and get the film. When Sir Francis learns that he almost had proof of his infidelity in the wrong hands, he gives Lorelei his wife’s diamond tiara in thanks.
Once in Paris, the girls have to work as the promissory note has been withdrawn by Esmond Sr. Lady Beekman reports her tiara stolen and Lorelei is accused. Ready to hand it over, she can’t find the evidence. Meanwhile the Esmonds, Jr and Sr have shown up. And Malone and Dorothy are in love, but don’t know it.
