Career Exploration: Marilyn Is A Girl's Best Friend

I feel more confident when I'm watching an old movie and I recognize at least one familiar name as the opening credits roll. While I just watch basically any old movie in general, I'm especially interested in viewing titles that have a favorite actor and/or actress of mine on it. Even better if I like more than one person in the movie. Sometimes I'm keen on almost the whole entire cast!
Naturally, when I am a fan of someone, I check out more of their work.
Following entire career filmography can be an exhaustive daunting task, but I actually enjoy it!
I love analyzing plot summaries, witnessing the progress, growth and dynamic of an actor, comparing their roles, and just kicking back to relax and enjoy a good ol' popcorn companion.
My favorite actress is none other than the iconic Marilyn Monroe. It's strange but true how the most popular, celebrated American actress ever was never nominated for an Oscar® award. She sure earned one or two. Maybe more. With talent and brains (unbeknownst to her stereotypical "dumb blonde" film persona) and her untimely demise, she charmed her way into the hearts of classic Americana. I've seen about 80% of her career, and thought it would be fun to do a small brief review for each of her movies I've watched so far.
So here goes, in chronological order...

  
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (1947)  
This is a Betty Grable movie. I watched it not only because I also adore Ms. Grable, but because it deals with a daring pro-feminine theme. It's about a typewriter becoming the first female employee at an office in the late 1800s. I remember hearing somewhere (I don't recall exactly where though) that this was young Marilyn Monroe's first role. But after watching the movie twice, I still wasn't able to spot her anywhere! Even after keeping a close lookout and frequent freeze frame pausing. So then I looked up some info online, and low and behold... only her VOICE is in this film, as a telephone operator. LOL! (Silly me! That explains everything!) Sadly, even in this day and age, women's rights have not yet seen a complete victory. Female labourers (no pun intended this time, I promise) receiving equal pay as their male counterpart workers is still an ongoing dispute. What bothers me even more is how almost everyone seems utterly oblivious to this issue. A few days ago, I mentioned it to a male in real life, and even he was unaware! Anyway, this movie was nothing special, a bit of a "filler" run of the mill effort from Betty, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

Dangerous Years (1947) I enjoyed this movie, although it wasn't particulally "that good" either. Although relatively obscure, it's notable for being one of the first ever films to feature our beloved Marilyn. Equally notable for being one of the first mainstream motion pictures to acknowledge the rebellious "juvenile delinquent" counter culture, which became a common theme later on in the 1950s and '60s with a surge of "gang" movies. Marilyn had a very small role in this film as a waitress. This movie constantly reminded me of an extra long episode of an old television drama, such as "Dragnet" or "Perry Mason".

There are a few other movies from early on in her career which Marilyn also had extremely small parts in. "You Were Meant For Me",  "Green Grass Of Wyoming",  "Right Cross" and  "Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!". So far I've only seen the latter. It was an alright movie, with a scenic rural setting and a sweet predictable romantic comedy storyline (not involving Marilyn though. June Haver is the star of this one, along with some other fine actors such as Walter Brennan. Keep an eye out for a very young Natalie Wood! Keep an even closer look out for Marilyn, by the way. Blink and you'll miss her super short "cameo"!)

Ladies Of The Chorus (1948) I Loved this one! For this being her first starring role, she sure did an amazing, show-stopping job! And it's a marvel to see her get more screentime as opposed to many of her earlier roles where she was barely even in the film! When you watch her perform "Anyone Can See I Love You", It's no wonder she was obviously destined for stardom. She plays the part of a burlesque girl. The movie deals with her relationship with her former burlesque star mother and falling in love with a wealthier man from a different class. At first, her mother resents this relationship but eventually grows to accept it. (Apologies for any spoiler) I found it funny how her mother was played by pretty, young Adele Jergens (of "Bowery Boys" fame). I find it hard to believe that her mother would appear to be just a few years older than her. Marilyn even performs a few songs in this film! I bet it was secretly disreputable for her to perform that "Every Baby Needs A Daddy" number, since Marilyn had such agonizing paternity issues in real life.

Love Happy (1949) The last "Official" Marx Brothers film, it's certainly not terrible, but nowhere near as entertaining as their best material. But if you're watching this just to briefly see Marilyn, that shouldn't really be a problem. Groucho, by now a genuine TV star, thanks to the "You Bet Your Life" quiz show, hated the script of "Love Happy", and had little desire to co-star in the film. He was, however, loyal to his brothers, and finally reached a compromise; he would only appear briefly, would not have to wear his trademark greasepaint eyebrows and mustache, and would have final approval of his dialog and the performers working with him. (*Credit IMDB for that info)

 In a way, you could kind of say that he sort of "discovered" Marilyn, as he handpicked her to appear here. I think that this is the first film where her trademark wolf whistle inducing "sexy screen siren" image began. Her transition from girl next door Norma Jean to sex goddess Marilyn Monroe was already in full effect.

A Ticket To Tomahawk (1950) A Western theme. I liked it. Not Marilyn's movie though (this time it's Anne Baxter as the star with a slew of actors that make a good supporting cast, namely Walter Brennan, once again.) Marilyn has a very small brief uncredited role as a dancing girl. Not much to say about this one. It's storyline isn't too complex, but it dosen't fall flat either. A fun film about stagecoach train competition in the 1800s.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
I actually haven't gotten around to this one yet! *Shame on me*
But from what I heard, it's spectacular!

The Fireball (1950)
This is a Mickey Rooney movie about rising to the top as a roller skating star. Interesting if only for the fact that most sports themed films do not deal with  figure skating! I enjoyed this despite the fact that Marilyn wasn't really in it that much and the storyline had unbelievable elements such as Mickey Rooney's character becoming famous so quickly (seems even more unlikely with his not so towering height). He escapes from an orphanage on a claim to fame. In the meantime journey through successfully achieving his aspiration, he mingles with a few women, one of them being Marilyn. He then becomes ill, and is forced to face the inevitable... losing everything, including his career. I thought this one was average, nothing too noteworthy, but not too shabby either.

STAY TUNED! This is unfinished business
TO BE CONTINUED...

***Coming Attractions: ***
PART 2 AND 3 OF MY CAREER SPANNING MARILYN MONROE REVIEW COMING SOON!