Monroe and Russell are ably supported by Oscar winner Charles Coburn (as a lecherous diamond magnate), Tommy Noonan and Elliott Reid. But he added new songs by Hoagy Carmichael and Harold Adamson, including a classic campy number (also choreographed by Cole) with muscle-bound athletes around a swimming pool. Hawks retained some of the songs by Jule Styne and Leo Robin, especially the show’s signature number, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” choreographed by Jack Cole and sizzlingly performed by Monroe in a bright pink dress. Charles Lederer, the writer of such films as Hawks’ 'His Girl Friday' and 'I Was a Male War Bride,' freely adapted the stage play. Master director Howard Hawks, who excelled in several genres, proved just as adept in his first and only screen musical. Marilyn plays the endearing gold-digger, Lorelei Lee. It tells the story of two showgirls and best friends, played by Monroe and fellow screen siren Jane Russell. 'Blondes' is an adaptation of the 1949 stage musical by Anita Loos and Joseph Fields, based on a 1925 novel by Loos, one of the first women writers to score a success in Hollywood as well as on Broadway. The program, part of our Twofer Tuesday series, features two of Monroe’s most popular movies-'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and 'How to Marry a Millionaire,' both from 1953. Laemmle Theatres and the Anniversary Classics series present a tribute to one of the greatest stars in film history, Marilyn Monroe, during her birthday month of June.
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