Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Play trailer

2:24

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Released Jul 18, 1953

1h 31m

Musical

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

88 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) is a beautiful showgirl engaged to be married to the wealthy Gus Esmond (Tommy Noonan), much to the disapproval of Gus' rich father, Esmond Sr., who thinks that Lorelei is just after his money. When Lorelei goes on a cruise accompanied only by her best friend, Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell), Esmond Sr. hires Ernie Malone (Elliott Reid), a private detective, to follow her and report any questionable behavior that would disqualify her from the marriage.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Critics Consensus

Anchored by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell's sparkling magnetism, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a delightfully entertaining 1950s musical.

Read Critics Reviews

Ann Jones

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

Perhaps the best number in the show is Lorelei's fight song, Diamonds are a Girl's best friend. She almost convinces you that they are.

Mar 9, 2023

Full Review

Mae Tinee

Chicago Tribune

Marilyn and Jane do very well with a couple of duets.

Mar 8, 2023

Full Review

Mildred Martin

Philadelphia Inquirer

The Monroe-Russell combination smashes over the comedy in no uncertain terms.

Mar 8, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Although the entire premise is meant to be silly, airy, and romantic, it's difficult to dismiss the sexual themes and the antiquated ways in which men and women are characterized.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 25, 2024

Full Review

Leo Basser

Daily Telegraph (Australia)

This Technicolor musical is presented on a lavish scale, and it is a musical comedy with a difference.

Mar 9, 2023

Full Review

Jane Corby

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

This picture belongs to Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell.

Mar 9, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

Rosana B

Duas grandes ressalvas, muito musical (não me apetece) e assistir Marilyn Monroe, linda e talentosa, interpretando a loira burra, me dói profundamente considerando tu do que sabemos que a pobrezinha passou fora das telas... Impressão minha ou dois guris negros só retratados como macaquinhos? 'Foram homens como você que me tronaram o que sou hoje'' reflete um pouquinho de todas nós, pais, irmãos, tios, namorados ou estranhos, apenas reflexo… Um filme engraçadinho com uma toada triste...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/06/24

Full Review

John A

The man responsible for films like African Queen and Rio Bravo does show off some his genre range here. A decent musical I'd say. Not all the numbers are memorable and Monroe is a bit over the top.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

Full Review

Jeff M

I was quite shocked while watching this classic at how much I was not enjoying it. The musical numbers are great - I wish there had been more of them. And, of course, Monroe's DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND number toward the end is rightfully iconic. The trouble for me were the scenes in between those moments. I didn't particularly care for or about these characters, I thought the plot was a bit hackneyed, and I just didn't get into the groove of this one. I wasn't charmed, and I wasn't entertained. Hawks is the same director who brought us BRINGING UP BABY, one of the greatest cinematic comedies in history. I wish this one had just a fraction of that film's humor and wit. Monroe and Russell have undeniable star wattage - I just wish their efforts had been used toward a better film.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/17/24

Full Review

Dashi C

loved the story and the characters

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/14/24

Full Review

Georgia L

Cliché and boring. An early dance scene was plastic. Monroe has one good dance scene near the end.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

Leaburn O

Not even Monroe can rescue this paper thin plot. Somehow we ended up with a musical justifying gold digging. The songs are boring as usual, the US Olympic team what??? All sorts of oddness going on here. Not a fan. Finally watched this long held DVD today.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/16/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Howard Hawks

Director

Jane Russell

Dorothy Shaw

Marilyn Monroe

Lorelei Lee

Charles Coburn

Sir Francis "Piggy" Beekman

Elliott Reid

Ernie Malone

Tommy Noonan

Gus Esmond

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

The Girl Can't Help It

82%

69%

The Girl Can't Help It

Watchlist

There's No Business Like Show Business

73%

58%

There's No Business Like Show Business

Watchlist

TRAILER

for There's No Business Like Show Business

Let's Make Love

67%

60%

Let's Make Love

Watchlist

Hello, Dolly!

43%

76%

Hello, Dolly!

Watchlist

Scared Stiff

71%

73%

Scared Stiff

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

12 Movies That Celebrate Sisterhood

Know Your Critic: Christina Newland, Film Critic for The i Newspaper

50 F–k Yeah Moments of Female Empowerment in the Movies

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Trailer 1

2:24

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) is a beautiful showgirl engaged to be married to the wealthy Gus Esmond (Tommy Noonan), much to the disapproval of Gus' rich father, Esmond Sr., who thinks that Lorelei is just after his money. When Lorelei goes on a cruise accompanied only by her best friend, Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell), Esmond Sr. hires Ernie Malone (Elliott Reid), a private detective, to follow her and report any questionable behavior that would disqualify her from the marriage.

Director: Howard Hawks
Producer: Sol C. Siegel
Screenwriter: Joseph Fields, Anita Loos, Charles Lederer
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 18, 1953, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2014
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Mono

Most Popular at Home Now