Grade: D
Synopsis: While vacationing at Niagara Falls, a woman (Marilyn Monroe) plots to kill her husband (Joseph Cotten).
Niagara features some great cinematography that’s wasted on a miscast would-be film noir. With the exception of Joseph Cotten, not a single performer is right for their role.
Max Showalter lacks the charisma to overcome his scripted role as a one-note plot device designed to obstruct his wife’s understanding of what’s going on. Instead, he comes across as a brutish lout that we wish could trade places with Joseph Cotten. MORE »
Posted 371 days ago in Movie Reviews and Marilyn Monroe. No responses
Grade: C-
Synopsis: A boxer (Ricardo Montalban) struggles with personal and professional insecurities while rivaling his best friend (Dick Powell) for the daughter (June Allyson) of his aging promoter (Lionel Barrymore).
Right Cross is an interesting little drama notable chiefly as one of the early appearances of Marilyn Monroe, who has a small, but memorable, scene as one of Dick Powell’s character’s would-be love interests. But that’s not to say the film doesn’t stand up on its own. MORE »
Posted 380 days ago in Movie Reviews, John Sturges and Marilyn Monroe. No responses
Grade: C-
Synopsis: With his wife and son away for the summer, a man (Tom Ewell) finds himself tempted by his upstairs neighbor (Marilyn Monroe).
The Seven Year Itch should have been much better. Director Billy Wilder wanted to cast a then-relatively-unknown Walter Matthau in the lead role, but the studio wouldn’t take a chance on a newcomer, which forced Wilder to cast Tom Ewell, who’d played the part in the original Broadway play. MORE »
Posted 413 days ago in Movie Reviews, Billy Wilder and Marilyn Monroe. No responses
Grade: C+
Synopsis: Two showgirls (Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe) look for eligible bachelors on a transatlantic cruise to Paris.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a light, breezy musical comedy from director Howard Hawks that basically serves as a showcase for its two leads, Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe. While someone like Billy Wilder might have been able to give the film a bit more depth, Hawks’ brisk pacing makes it immensely watchable despite its lack of substance. MORE »
Posted 556 days ago in Movie Reviews, Howard Hawks and Marilyn Monroe. No responses
Grade: C-
Synopsis: A scientist (Cary Grant) discovers a formula that makes him and his wife (Ginger Rogers) act like teenagers.
The first half of Monkey Business is great. Cary Grant goes from stuffy, absent-minded scientist to hormonal teenager and hilarity ensues. He underplays the part well, making the transition subtle at first, then more pronounced as the segment goes on. Further, his natural chemistry with Marilyn Monroe—who’s at the top of her game as a naïve temptress—makes this part of the story all the more appealing. Right about the time Grant’s character starts reverting to his old self is when you should turn off the movie. MORE »
Posted 594 days ago in Movie Reviews, Cary Grant, Howard Hawks and Marilyn Monroe. No responses
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