Marilyn has a brief role in this as a secretary. Notice a young Alan Hale Jr. (Who later played the Skipper in Gilligan's Island) attempt to flirt with her and fail. It's about a newspaper business. Basically, nothing too exciting really happens in this movie besides some kids getting stuck in a cave (and rescued... spoiler!) I found the age difference in the character named Blake and his little sister strange. He appeared to be around 35 years old with a sibling who looks to be about 10 years old or even younger. But it's just a movie, so whatever. lol!
Trivia: Marilyn was often expected to provide her own wardrobe. The sweater with the grey body and black sleeves that she wears worn previously in "The Fireball" and in the final scene in "All About Eve". **
I thought that was an interesting little tidbit. Now on to the next...
All About Eve (1950)
Marilyn has a somewhat small role in this classic critically acclaimed masterpiece, playing an aspiring actress (life imitates art, huh?). I thought it was also ironic how in one scene Marilyn is sitting on a staircase, socializing, and says "Either one" to both sable and Gable (as in Clark) being something that a girl could make a sacrifice for. Over a decade later, Marilyn would work with Clark Gable on the "Misfits". Sadly it would be both his AND her last film!
This is a juicy tale about Anne Baxter becoming Bette Davis' little helper only to later to become a backstabber and take over her identity.
While Marilyn dosen't get much screentime in this, it's still a very good movie! And a step up the ladder in stardom for her. I'm sure she started to gain more recognition after appearing in this.
As Young As You Feel (1951)
The typical comedic fluff that later became Marilyn's trademark.
Though she wasn't in this one much, it's a cute little enjoyable film about a 65 year old man who must retire from his printing job. He impersonates the president of another company and everyone believes him until many further complications ensue. I give it a 3 out of 5. A great cast with David Wayne, Jean Peters, Thelma Ritter, Allyn Joslyn, Albert Dekker, Russ Tamblyn, and Constance Bennett.
Love Nest (1951)
Yet another little low-budgeter in the same vein as the previous.
It stars June Haver and Willam Lundigan. Marilyn isn't in this one much either, but it's not bad. Another fair "3 star" movie, in my opinion. Notice "Love Nest" is the theme song for "Burns & Allen". But they do not appear in this film. I was disappointed, thinking they would. It also stars Jack Paar, Frank Fay (comedian and Vaudeville star) and Leatrice Joy (silent actress in one of her last roles). It's about a G.I./writer and his young wife who find themselves owners of a dilapidated apartment house in NYC and all that goes with it (fussy tenants,building inspectors, cat) ***
Let's Make It Legal (1951)
Haven't seen this one yet. Sorry!
We're Not Married (1952)
A cute little rom-com about couples discovering (much to their surprise and dismay) that they're not legally married. "We're Not Married" deals with five very different couples and what the notice of non-marriage means to each couple. There's a wealthy man (Calhern) married to a gold digger (Gabor), a bickering husband and wife radio couple (Allen and Rogers), a couple in a slump (Paul Douglas and Eve Arden), an ambitious young woman and her husband (Monroe and Wayne) etc. ***
I give this 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed it.
Don't Bother To Knock (1952)
I haven't got around to this one yet either. (Nor "The Asphalt Jungle"!) Shame on me, I know...
Monkey Business (1952)
I Loved this one! Very funny. A screwball comedy with Cary Grant playing a mad scientist and Ginger Rogers as his overzealous, hyperactive wife. Marilyn was really beginning to shine as an actress, as evident here. Making Ginger seem like the plain Jane and Marilyn being the bombshell was a bold move. I won't spoil it too much, but it deals with alot of monkeyshines (pun intended!)
There's a speed racing scene, and a slippery skating scene with Marilyn in this movie, so what's not to love? I give it 4 out of 5.
Clash By Night (1952)
I really liked this one! Not sure if it could technically be considered "noir" but pretty much! "Thriller"/"Melodrama" perhaps? Whatever genre it's considered, it sure held my attention for the entire duration! Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Paul Douglas, and Marilyn Monroe who actually gets a reasonable amount of screentime here, making this movie a worthwhile viewing for Marilyn fans. I thought the scene with the Chinese imitation (although it could also be seen as offensive if not taken lightly) was super hilarious. Overall, I give it a 4 out of 5.
Plot Summary:
The bitter and cynical Mae Doyle returns to the fishing village where she was raised after deceptive loves and life in New York. She meets her brother, the fisherman Joe Doyle, and he lodges her in his home. Mae is courted by Jerry D'Amato, a good and naive man that owns the boat where Joe works, and he introduces his brutal friend Earl Pfeiffer, who works as theater's projectionist and is cheated by his wife. She does not like Earl and his jokes, but Jerry considers him his friend and they frequently see each other. Mae decides to accept the proposal of Jerry and they get married and one year later they have a baby girl. When the wife of Earl leaves him, he becomes depressed and Mae, who is bored with her loveless marriage, has an affair with him. **********
**** is credit for some information that was provided courtesy of IMDB.
And that's all for now folks. This concludes Part 2 of my review of Marilyn's early films.
I figured here was an appropriate stopping point because it's the last of the black and white films for a while. Next up I will dig into her best films, with dazzling Technicolor and amazing Cinemascope!
Stay tuned for Part 3!
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