1953 Archives - Page 2 of 3 -

Published January 22, 2019

‘NIAGARA’ TURNS 66

This week marks 66 years since the release of the 1953 film noir thriller ‘Niagara’ starring Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotton, Jean Peters and Directed by Henry Hathaway.

“Marilyn Monroe and Niagara, a raging torrent of emotion that even nature can’t control!” read the tag line on billboards and advertisements. Twentieth Century FOX pulled out all the stops on what was to be Marilyn’s first starring role in a major motion picture.

The official synopsis of the movie reads as follows:
“The splendour of both Niagara falls and Marilyn Monroe enhance this taut tale about a faithless wife plotting against her husband. Joseph Cotten stars as George Loomis, a disturbed Korean war veteran staying at Niagara Falls with his wife, Rose (Monroe). Thoroughly sensuous and constantly scheming, Rose intends to kill her husband and run off with her lover. But first she is going to drive George mad by flaunting herself before anyone who will notice.”

Marilyn Monroe enjoyed a good working relationship with her co-stars, in particular with her leading man, Joseph Cotten:
“I enjoyed her company. I enjoyed working with her,” Cotten said about working with Marilyn Monroe in her first starring role. He said she had an appetite for laughter and was aware of her sense of humor describing her as a “pretty clown. Cotten recalls hearing about her death and receiving a phone call from the Associated Press for a comment. “At first I was sure it had to be an accident. Such buoyancy of spirit, such sparkling anticipation, such a happy and comic attitude would deny support to any theory,” he wrote. “But she had such moments of fear and insecurity….As to all the other furtive theories-cover-up, murder, etc. – I have no knowledge or interest in such sordidness. I knew and acted with Marilyn Monroe. I am proud of having that privilege.”

Director Henry Hathaway also had kind words to say about working with Marilyn, on two seperate occassions, he was quoted as saying “She’s the best natural actress I’ve directed. And I go back. I worked with Barbara LaMarr, Jean Harlow, Renee Adoree–right up to today. And she’s the greatest natural talent. Wait ’til you see her in this picture!”
“Marilyn was marvellous to work with, very easy to direct and terifically ambitious to do better. And bright, really bright. She may not have had an education, but she was naturally bright.

‘Niagara’ was first released in theatres on January 21st 1953 and grossed a healthy $2.35 million return on an outlay of $1,670,000 during its initial run. Today it is still among Marilyn’s most popular films.

Happy birthday ‘Niagara!’

Published November 4, 2018

‘MILLIONAIRE’ TURNS 65

“Do you know who I’d like to marry?”
“Who?”
“Rockerfella”
“Which one?”
“I don’t care..”

Today we are celebrating 65 years of Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall coming together in what the movie industry labelled “The Most Glamorous Entertainment Of Your Lifetime!” in the 1953 Cinemascope sensation “How To Marry A Millionaire.”

On November 4^th 1953, “How To Marry A Millionaire” made its big screen debut at the Fox Wilshire Theatre (now the Saban Theatre), in Beverly Hills. Marilyn turned up on the arm of Nunally Johnson who wrote and directed the film, alongside Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. Betty Grable was not in attendance that night, after a disagreement with the studio.

Marilyn, looking every inch the Hollywood icon that night, had borrowed a white crepe de Chine dress covered in rhinestones and finished the look off with long white gloves and an item from her own personal wardrobe, a white fur stole. Between her hairdresser Gladys Rasmussen and make up man Whitey Snyder, it took them 6 hours to prepare her for the evening. Marilyn glowed that night, it was a triumph from start to finish and Monroe was quoted as saying that it was “the most beautiful night of her life.”

Memories of Marilyn on the set:

Lauren Bacall:

“She wasn’t easy – often irritating. And yet I couldn’t dislike Marilyn. She had no meanness in her – no bitchery. She just had to concentrate on herself and the people who were there only for her.”

Betty Grable:

“It may sound peculiar to say so, because she is no longer with us, but we were very close. Once when we were doing that picture ‘How To Marry A Millionaire’ together, I got a call on the set: my younger daughter had had a fall. I ran home and the one person to call was Marilyn. She did an awful lot to boost things up for movies when everything was at a low state; there’ll never be anyone like her for looks, for attitude, for all of it. “

David Wayne:

“Negulesco (the Director) was very good with her and handled her beautifully. Of course she was always late, but I don’t think either Betty Grable or Lauren Bacall minded her. They were tough old pros and knew their business. There again, I also recall Marilyn being quite capable in her scenes with the other two girls. I wasn’t necessarily in the scene with them, but I’d sit next to Negulesco and watch the three of them work and by that time I thought that Marilyn had got a little technique under her belt.”

Nunnally Johnson:

“The two Bettys have gone out of their way to help, and make friends with Marilyn, but Miss Monroe is generally something of a zombie. Talking to her is like talking to somebody underwater. She’s very honest and ambitious and is either studying her lines or her face during all of her working hours, and there is nothing whatever to be said against her, but she’s not material for warm friendship.”

“How To Marry A Millionaire” went on to be the 4^th highest grossing movies of 1953 and earned itself these award nominations:

‘Academy Awards – Best Costume Design: Colour’

‘Writers Guild Of America Award – Best Written Comedy.’

‘British Academy Of Film Awards – Best Film Of Any Source.’

65 years have passed since this films release and although some of the themes in the film may seem very dated by 2018 standards, it is a perfect snapshot of what made glamorous 1950’s technicolour comedies so appealing. Monroe, Grable and Bacall’s comedic performances are still as fresh as they were and you’d be hard pressed to find a Marilyn fan who wouldn’t have this delightful romp in their top 10 Monroe movies.

Published September 17, 2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGE CHAKIRIS

Today we are wishing a true Hollywood legend George Chakiris, a very happy birthday.

Chakiris is an American dancer, singer and actor. He is best known for his appearance in the film version of West Side Story as Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks gang, for which he won both the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.

Chakiris began his film career in 1947, starting off with a string of uncredited roles as backing dancers. His 6th film appearance saw him as one of the suited men vying for Marilyn Monroe’s attention in the now iconic musical number “Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend” from 1953’s “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”

“One of my favorite credits is to say that I worked behind Marilyn Monroe and I love saying that.” George remembers fondly, “ She was phenomenal. She only about twenty six when she made that film but Marilyn was an actress who was deeply concerned about her work and was very conscientious. Let me give you an example of her professionalism: If there ever was a cut for any reason, she never went back to her trailer to check her makeup. She’d be there on her starting mark and ready for the next take.”

Eagle eyed Marilyn fans will also see him pop up very briefly in “How To Marry A Millionaire” in Marilyn’s character Pola’s dream sequence and during several musical numbers from “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

Mr Chakiris has also been a wonderful friend to “Marilyn Remembered” over the years, speaking at various memorials, attending events and always happy to chat with his many fans.

Thankyou Mr Chakiris and happy birthday!

Published September 17, 2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN BACALL

Today we are wishing the legendary actress of the silver screen, Lauren Bacall a very happy birthday on what would have been her 94th birthday.

Bacall was an icon of the silver screen with an illustrious career spanning nearly 7 decades. Some of her biggest acting screen credits include: “The Big Sleep,” “To Have And Have Not,” “Key Largo” and the 1953 romantic comedy “How To Marry A Millionaire” co starring Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable.

Bacall wrote of her impressions of Monroe and Grable in her autobiography ‘By Myself… And Then Some.’

“I returned home to prepare for my role of Schatze in ‘How To Marry A Millionaire.’ Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable were to be in it as well – it was about three girls looking for millionaire husbands, and it was funny, witty and even touching. I hadn’t really known either of my co-stars before and hoped the association would be a good one.
As Cinemascope was a new experiment for everyone, it was difficult. One had to keep actors moving and not too close together, as the screen was long and narrow. You shot longer scenes in Cinemascope, five or six pages without a stop, and I liked that – it felt closer to the stage and better for me. Betty Grable was a funny, outgoing woman, totally professional and easy. Marilyn was frightened, insecure – trusted only her coach and was always late. During our scenes she’d look at my forehead instead of my eyes; and at the end of the take, look to her coach, standing behind Jean Negulesco, for approval. If the headshake was no, she’d insist on another take. A scene often went to fifteen or more takes, which meant I’d have to be good in all of them as no one knew which one would be used. Not easy – often irritating. And yet I couldn’t dislike Marilyn. She had no meanness in her – no bitchery. She just had to concentrate on herslf and the people who were there only for her. I had met her a few times befor, and liked her. Grable and I decided we’d try and make it easier for her, make her feel she could trust us. I think she finally did.”