Jean Marc-Clement (Yves Montand), a rich businessman discovers that he is going to be satirized in an off-Broadway theater, goes to see the crew and comes across Amanda Dell (Marilyn Monroe) and instantly smitten by her beauty and performing skills. With her pale blonde hair and younger looks, Marilyn Monroe is more beautiful in this movie than in other movies made in 1950's. The director of the show thinks that Jean Marc is an actor, and he reluctantly casts him as a member of the show. Montand with his heavy French accent tries hard to serenade Amanda by pretending that he is just a working actor named Alexander Dumas. Soon Jean Marc falls in love with Amanda, but gets stuck with false identity and unable to reveal his true identity. It is tempting to suggest that this movie is a thinly-veiled portrait of billionaire William Randolph Hearst and actress Marion Davies. Hearst meets Davies during her performance in the movie "Ziegfeld Follies" of 1916 (silent movie), and falls in love with her.
Many reviewers gave moderate rating after comparing this movie with Monroe's other successful performances in; "Some Like It Hot," "Seven year itch," "How to marry a millionaire" and "Gentleman prefer blondes." The truth is Monroe was frail in her personal life and had severe addiction to prescription drugs. She also had marital problems with her husband Arthur Miller and a brief affair with co-star Yves Montand that impacted her performance in this movie. The script also went through many revisions by writer Arthur Miller. Marilyn Monroe wanted the movie to focus on her and lift her career few more notches. Gregory Peck was offered the role of leading actor and he turns down the role knowing that this is too focused on Marilyn Monroe. Subsequently, the job was offered to Rock Hudson who also tuned it down. Eventually the role went to the Frenchman, Yves Montand. George Cukor, one of the brilliant director's of Hollywood did his best to make this more interesting, but he had difficulty dealing with Marilyn Monroe. She was very temperamental on the set and frequently missed the film shooting schedule. Other cast members offered weak support; Yves Montand did not do an impressive job. Frankie Vaughan, as the whining crooner, is no match for Monroe. Tony Randall as the assistant of Montand offers a fine performance with his usual cool comedy.
This movie is known for some of the best music; Cole Porter's classic "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," jazzy themes like; "Let's Make Love" and "Incurably Romantic" were also well staged and performed. Marilyn sings and dances beautifully, and while singing "Incurably Romantic," her dress flies up, almost like in "The Seven-Year Itch." The cameo appearances by Milton Berle, Bing Crosby and Gene Kelly, respectively as the comedy, music and dance instructor's of Montand are well thought of and some of the best comedy writing is found here. Few interesting quotes are as follows:
Many reviewers gave moderate rating after comparing this movie with Monroe's other successful performances in; "Some Like It Hot," "Seven year itch," "How to marry a millionaire" and "Gentleman prefer blondes." The truth is Monroe was frail in her personal life and had severe addiction to prescription drugs. She also had marital problems with her husband Arthur Miller and a brief affair with co-star Yves Montand that impacted her performance in this movie. The script also went through many revisions by writer Arthur Miller. Marilyn Monroe wanted the movie to focus on her and lift her career few more notches. Gregory Peck was offered the role of leading actor and he turns down the role knowing that this is too focused on Marilyn Monroe. Subsequently, the job was offered to Rock Hudson who also tuned it down. Eventually the role went to the Frenchman, Yves Montand. George Cukor, one of the brilliant director's of Hollywood did his best to make this more interesting, but he had difficulty dealing with Marilyn Monroe. She was very temperamental on the set and frequently missed the film shooting schedule. Other cast members offered weak support; Yves Montand did not do an impressive job. Frankie Vaughan, as the whining crooner, is no match for Monroe. Tony Randall as the assistant of Montand offers a fine performance with his usual cool comedy.
This movie is known for some of the best music; Cole Porter's classic "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," jazzy themes like; "Let's Make Love" and "Incurably Romantic" were also well staged and performed. Marilyn sings and dances beautifully, and while singing "Incurably Romantic," her dress flies up, almost like in "The Seven-Year Itch." The cameo appearances by Milton Berle, Bing Crosby and Gene Kelly, respectively as the comedy, music and dance instructor's of Montand are well thought of and some of the best comedy writing is found here. Few interesting quotes are as follows:
Jean-Marc Clement: Show me what I can do with a woman.
Milton Berle: After what I've read about you, I'm sure that you could show me.
Milton Berle: you know, between comedians and singers, women always go for singers.
Bing Crosby: [moves his hand in a sweeping motion] Ya see; that's showmanship. Keeps her mind off your voice
Milton Berle: After what I've read about you, I'm sure that you could show me.
Milton Berle: you know, between comedians and singers, women always go for singers.
Bing Crosby: [moves his hand in a sweeping motion] Ya see; that's showmanship. Keeps her mind off your voice
Gene Kelly: A dancer expresses with his body what an actor does with words. It's not just the feet.
Amanda Dell: Charm him? I could murder him (in an angry voice).
Amanda Dell: Charm him? I could murder him (in an angry voice).
Reference: Let's Make Love – DVD starring Marilyn Monroe
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