Ain’t there anyone here for love? Ladies, let’s do this! 1

Dance · Film


Okay, Messrs Weinstein, Schneiderman, R. Kelly, Richard Meier, Charlie Rose and the rest of you sexual predator power-guys!

Formidable glamazon Marilyn Monroe, in Jack Cole’s “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” from GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953) wants to share her version of gender politics. A big boomerang of woman power heading your way, back at you! Because ladies prefer gentlemen … and gentlemen prefer blondes.

Laemmle Anniversary Classics will celebrate the Howard Hawks-helmed movie-musical’s 65th on June 5, days away from dear Marilyn’s June 1 birthday. And we’ll be there.

Lorelei Lee (Monroe) and her bestie, Dorothy (Russell) use their every xy chromosome — brains, sex, humor, playing-dumb-while-acting-smart, even bootie-wiggling in skin-tight Travilla gowns — to outwit men at every turn. This stone-age behavior dates to the 1950s — the bad old days before women were “liberated.” 

In a brief talk before the film, I’ll be celebrating the prescient genius behind “Gentlemen”‘s dance numbers, Jack Cole.

Join me for “Diamonds Deconstructed” prior to the GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953). Special offer from Laemmle Theatres for arts·meme subscribers: $1.00 popcorn!

thank you, museum of modern art, for the marvelous image

Debra Levine ‘Diamonds Deconstructed’ | prior to GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE double feature | Laemmle Anniversary Classics | Laemmle Royal Theatre | June 5, 7 pm

One comment on “Ain’t there anyone here for love? Ladies, let’s do this!

  1. Pingback: Marilyn Double Bill in L.A. – ES Updates

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