Hi friends! I hope you’re all staying positive, safe, healthy and sane during all of this. I know times are really tough and it’s hard to stay productive and forward moving right now. If you’re anything like me, you’re distracting yourself with TV and movies a lot, and I want you to know that that’s okay! It’s okay to have days where you can’t bring yourself to do anything else when there’s a pandemic going on. I have been trying my best to stay productive and positive and luckily, most of the time I can do that. Sometimes I can’t. And I’m not going to beat myself up about that.
One thing this extra time has made me remember is how much I love old movies. Last year I made a post all about my favorite Audrey Hepburn movies to watch at this time of year , and I knew I wanted to make another retro guide this year! After watching Some Like it Hot last night, I decided to make this season’s focus on none other than Marilyn Monroe. I think it could be fun to do these seasonal movie recommendations, retro or not, so maybe I’ll make that a thing! Anyway, back to Marilyn! Many people don’t know much about her besides the stereotypes enforced about her. I would encourage you all to learn more about her. The truth is she was an extraordinary woman and entertainer. Today I’m going to break down the best movies starring Marilyn Monroe to watch during the spring and summer!
1. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes:
This one’s for all you musical lovers out there! Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) and Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russel) are two best friends in entertainment. Lorelei is engaged and ready to be wed in France. However, her fiancee’s father does not approve and urges his son to travel separately. Lorelei’s fiancee assures her he will meet her in France, and Lorelei and Dorothy sail away together to France. Little do they know, Lorelei’s father-in-law to be has hired a private detective to keep an eye on Lorelei on the trip over. Things get messy when the detective starts to fall in love with Dorothy and Lorelei can’t seem to keep her hands off expensive jewelry. This makes for some awesome musical moments and is also where the infamous “Diamond’s are a Girls Best Friend” song comes from. It’s a must see Marilyn movie!
2. The Seven Year Itch:
One of the movies that made Marilyn known for comedy, The Seven Year Itch is one of her most well known films. Starring Marilyn as the female neighbor in the building and Tom Ewell as main character Richard Sherman, the movie defines “the seven year itch” as the mark when a husband becomes ill of his marital life and begins to yearn for more. After noticing that a beautiful young lady has moved into the building for the summer (Marilyn’s character), Richard starts imagining a bunch of ridiculous situations happening between them. It’s actually hilarious, and a good watch!
3. Some Like it Hot:
Saving my favorite for last! Two friends and roommates Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) are musicians in prohibition era Chicago, playing whatever gigs they need to to get by! After accidentally witnessing The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (a playful and comedic nod to mafia movies of the time), Joe and Jerry are suddenly in the eye of a Mafia boss. Out of desperation and for their own safety, they decide to take a job that requires travel to Florida. The only catch? The job is for a female band only! Suddenly, Joe becomes Josephine and Jerry becomes Daphne and the two take off in disguise to get the heck out of town! You can see how traveling with a female band will cause a lot of comedic moments, especially when the two become enamored with Marilyn’s character, Sugar Kane. Joe/Josephine even goes out of his way to disguise himself a second time, as Shell Oil Junior, hoping to be a viable suitor for Sugar Kane. The movie is absolutely hilarious and also has some great shots of The Hotel Del Coronado. It’s a must see!
Hope you guys enjoy these suggestions! If you watch any of them, let me know what you think! If you’ve seen all of them, let me know which one is your favorite! Stay safe out there!
With Love,
Jenna