Because of the cast, the story, and the musical numbers, this is one of my favorite films, so I was glad to revisit it for this article in preparation for a podcast episode and for MovieRob’s April blog theme of Courtroom Dramas. The courtroom scene in this one may not be long, but it sure it pretty dramatic with a lot of Jane Russell flair.
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Synopsis
Lorelei (Marilyn Monroe) and Dorothy (Jane Russell) may just be two girls from Little Rock, but they sure have their share of men. Dorothy is focused on love, which worries Lorelei because she is focused on money and security. Because of this, Lorelei charms Gus, who has a wealthy daddy.
Unfortunately for Lorelei, his daddy doesn’t want Gus to marry her. So instead of sailing together to Paris, Gus sends her, along with her friend Dorothy, with the intent to join them later.
In an effort to get his son to see he shouldn’t be with Lorelei, Gus’s dad sends a private investigator (Malone) to catch her doing something naughty. Dorothy falls for him, not knowing he’s investigating Lorelei, who befriends an older rich gentleman whose wife has a diamond tiara.
When Lorelei gets back incriminating photos that Malone took of them, she manipulates the old man into giving her his wife’s tiara…who then of course wants it back and leads us into the courtroom scene described below.
The Players
Marilyn Monroe
This and How to Marry a Millionaire were really the films that put Marilyn on the map. Even though she only made $18K and Jane Russell received top billing and made about $200K, this was a significant turning point of her career.
There is no doubt Monroe was a great actress who should have gone on to do so much more. In Don’t Bother to Knock, you get to see what other types of roles she can do. Unfortunately, she would get stuck with the more dumb blonde types, like in this film. This persona was just that though as Monroe was highly intelligent. It took someone with great skills to be able to play someone so naive.
She thought the success of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and her performance put her in a position to renegotiate her contract. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that simple. River of No Return was the final straw for her, and she fought against the studio afterwards, believing that she deserved better after hits with Gentlemen and How to Marry an Millionaire.
They refused to renegotiate and tried to cast her in another substance-less musical called The Girl in the Pink Tights. She tried to get the script before filming, but they wouldn’t give it to her to review. So she didn’t show up and they suspended her. Once she was awarded Best Actress by Photoplay Magazine for her role in this film, then they finally agree to negotiate with her, and she went on to film There’s No Business Like Show Business and The Seven Year Itch.
Jane Russell
Jane Russell is an absolute delight in this film. She funny, gorgeous, and witty. She was a bigger star at the time and is the focus of the courtroom scene in this film. To buy Lorelei time, she dresses up as her and appears in court, even going so far as to sing Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.
Malone, aka Elliott Reid…
saves the day when he figures out that the man who gave Lorelei the tiara in the first place stole it back for his wife so he wouldn’t get into trouble.
While I don’t know a ton about Reid, I really enjoyed him in this film. He would go on to later play the man who tries to steal Fred MacMurray’s girl in The Absent-Minded Professor.
Tommy Noonan
The biggest thing about Tommy Noonan was that he made Marilyn cry. He complained about her kissing skills, citing that it was like a vacuum, and she overheard. They had a hard time getting her out of her dressing room after that. Marilyn was very fragile to criticism, so it tended to take a lot out of her. Thankfully, Jane had befriended Marilyn and was often the only one who could coax her out of her dressing room when she was upset.
The only other thing I can remember him from is from A Star is Born with Judy Garland. And I’m a bit jaded that he hurt Marilyn’s feelings.
Background Trivia
This film was based on a play, which was based on a novel
As I mentioned, this was based on the play with Carol Channing in the role of Lorelei, but that play was based on novel by Anita Loos. The novel is quite a bit different because instead of Piggy taking his wife’s tiara, he instead buys one for Lorelei. The wife still chases after her for it in the book even though it’s not hers.
The book is written like a diary and is an interesting look into the character. Lorelei in the book has far more depth to her than in the film.
What if…?
Betty Grable had played Lorelei?
The film was originally bought as a vehicle for sex symbol, Betty Grable, but when Marilyn had such success with Niagara, they realized they could have a stellar sex symbol who was a hell of a lot cheaper. Betty was earning $150K per movie at that time, while Marilyn was only making $18K.
Judy Holliday had?
Judy Holliday actually turned down the role because she felt that Carol Channing should have been the one cast as Lorelei since she originated the role in the play.
Carol Channing had?
Carol had originated the role of Lorelei on Broadway when the show ran for almost two years (from December 1949 to September 1951). This run included the song, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”, which Marilyn became famous for instead. Carol was not even considered.
They did sometimes cast actors/actresses who had more star power in the film roles, so that’s what appeared happened here. They were looking for someone with a big draw, and Marilyn had that. I am curious as to how it would have gone with Carol, but Marilyn is so stellar and iconic in this role that it would not have nearly been the same movie.
Overall, this film is a lot of fun and great to rewatch!
Alternative History/Classic Film Era Novels
If you like alternative history or biographical/historical fiction, I write that as well under the pen name Dottie Fray and historical paranormal romance under Elvira Fray. With two books planned for next year, one biographical fiction entitled Planes and Promises and a paranormal romance to follow up Fang Me Tender called No Angel of His Own.
If you choose to buy this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate. Grab it here on DVD.