Marilyn Monroe was typecasted in many "dumb blonde" roles, however, in this movie she definitively proves she was a truly great actress. PERFECTLY pulling off the role as the disturbed babysitter. Great movie
OMG! Yes! No one watches this film then they say Marilyn couldn't really act. I'll admit, I thought she was a brilliant comedian and that's it, before seeing this. She broke my heart! She could've done so much more. This is the proof.
Remember, Marilyn Monroe's mother had mental issues. That's why Marilyn (Norma Jean) was raised in foster care. Marilyn may have been influenced on how to play this role, from visiting her mother in the insane asylum.
Tutti i bravi comici sono grandi attori. Chi recita dice sempre che è più difficile far ridere che far piangere: Capita più spesso che un comico sappia affrontare il dramma, di quanto un attore "serio" possa diventare divertente. Lei poteva far tutto. Credo che la sua recitazione fosse moderna e non sempre capita e abbia anche pagato la morale del tempo, per la mentalità di quegli anni non poteva convivere nella stessa donna sensualità e talento.
Fun fact: The "Hotel Karen" is actually played by the amazing Disney voice-over legend Verna Felton! 😁You may know her as The Fairy Godmother from "Cinderella", Flora from "Sleeping Beauty", Aunt Sarah from "Lady and the Tramp" and the iconic Queen of Hearts from "Alice in Wonderland"!
This one, Niagra, The Prince and the Showgirl, and Bus Stop are my favorite Marilyn movies. She really was a talented actress - imho never taken seriously or given the credit she deserved. This film completely won me over!
Mia, if you haven't seen it, I recommend"BUS STOP." It starred Marilyn with Don Murray, Arthur O'Connell and Eileen Heckart. Directed by Josh Logan, it was a beautiful picture and showed Marilyn to great advantage as a little shy showgirl romanced by a wild rodeo cowboy. Logan was a masterful director and was able to bring out her vulnerable and wistful quality, too seldom seen in her pictures. He suffered from manic/depression, recognized her insecurity and was tender and kind to her throughout.
My 2nd comment here... Excellent reaction and love the trivia. Concerning Marilyn's acting, in LADIES OF THE CHORUS she doesn't have all the "Marilyn" vocal tropes, such overpronouncing words and breathing her lines. It's her first real starring role, and she "acts" like all the other actresses, yet she still outshines them. I can say the same for her acting in LET'S MAKE LOVE, she's being the most "normal" you'll ever see her in a movie. And in both films she looks genuinely happy. I hope you react to both.
The telephone operator was played by Jeanne Cagney, she is the sister of James Cagney. She looks like him a bit, too. This movie and Niagara are my favorite Marilyn Monroe movies.
I grew up on an extremely underrated James Cagney movie, which is the 1948 "Time of Your Life" film where he acts with William Bendix & his sister Jeanne (there's a bit with the two of them about nostalgia for home - epic). My favorite film of his & it meant that I recognized Jeanne as the telephone operator when my aunt & uncle showed me this movie last year sometime in January (2023). I absolutely adore this movie & with all the 'here's the 3 1/2 hour version' of films nowadays, it's such a perfect example of a story with not a single wasted scene or line or moment (etc). If you've never seen the James Cagney one, you should watch it. There are actually 2 versions - I grew up on the scratchy bad quality dvd which was the 'theatrical cut', but I do have a link to the 'full' version in great quality of the movie. Actually, I'll just put the link below (there are some awesome character moments that the theatre version cut out, including a great 'sharing a moment together' which involves a policeman, an Arabic immigrant, & the chemistry of a white tap dancer with a black piano player). Link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rs6OGrWnD74.html
Marilyn’s “Hungry Years” broke & her car in the shop- posed for Tom Kelly - $50. 00 payment “The Golden Dreams Calendar”. Kelly assured MM she wouldn’t be recognized- typical Gemini- on the release Marilyn signed Mona Monroe. Hugh Hefner purchased the rights- the 1st Playboy Issue- cover & centerfold Sweetheart of the Month.
The nude photos of Marilyn Monroe originally were for a pin up calendar, like you might have seen in those days in a auto mechanic's garage. When Hugh Hefner found out about them, he featured at least one of them in the first addition of his new magazine, "Playboy". It might not have gotten off the ground, without the boost from the picture or pictures of Marilyn.
The woman downstairs isn't being a Karen! A Karen makes drama over nothing. It's a shame Marilyn wasn't allowed to be a glamorous star but also a dramatic actress like Elizabeth Taylor.
Fun facts: Although Marilyn Monroe won a Golden Globe in 1960 for "Some Like It Hot", amd several other minor acting awards, she was NEVER awarded an Oscar or even received a nomination.
Marilyn has a long list of excellent movies, including her very first starring role as a showgirl in LADIES OF THE CHORUS. It's in public domain, only a little over 1 hour long, and last I checked is free to watch on several youtube channels. (Pick one with the best picture). I hope you react to more of her movies. My favorite performance of her is in one of her last movies, called LET'S MAKE LOVE. Going to watch your reaction to this one right now.
YES,this is what I just wrote Mia. If she wants to see Marilyn as close to her Norma Jeane persona.,its the film Ladies Of The Chorus , she had just turned 22,also the first time with her Bleached Blonde Hair..Her voice is altered very little,this is as close to the real person she was.I hope Mia will watch it. Ive been a MM fan since 1969 If you want to see Marilyn at her best watch her last unfinished film, SOMETHINGS GOT TO GIVE 1962 they put togeather as close as they could the movie from start to finish, with opening, she never looked better and sounded better with her real voice finally able to be heard ,she has a slight breathless to it but not at much as before.Its a must see film b y 20th Century Fox rty
As an aspiring actress I admire this woman so much. She gave so much to our culture and the world and was a living, breathing work of art in every definition of the world. If that is not a real artist then I don't know what is. A true artist will shock and offend some people because they are so ahead of their time and unafraid to put their work out there, the fact that people are still talking about her & her movies decades after her death is a testament to her abilities of being a "real actress" despite what everyone else at the time wanted to say. When I think of a true Hollywood star, I think of no one else but Marilyn Monroe
Richard Widmark co-starred with Sidney Poitier in 1950's No Way Out. Widmark played a racist. The two men became close friends for the rest of their lives.
Widmark was receiving a special award in Hollywood and Portier was performing in New York. When his friend showed up at the ceremony, Richard said, "Sid, you didn't have to come all this way." Sidney replied, "Dick, for you I would have walked."
Hey Mia! I have a recommendation for another movie starring Cary Grant, Alfred Hitchcock's SUSPICION (1941) with opposite Joan Fontaine as you previously seen her in REBECCA (1940) with Lawrence Olivier, In Suspicion she won an Academy Award for Best Actress after she was nominated in Rebecca last year.
Marilyn later claimed she was playing her mother. Elisha Cook Jr also had an interesting career, often playing the same type of character, as he would again memorably in 'Rosemary's Baby', although he would originally play murderers in his earlier movies.
Speaking of window safety. Back in the day, like early 1900's to 1930's they had cages on windows that you put your baby in. Seriously, google baby cage. Tuberculosis was such a problem..and hey, fresh air and sunshine! haha Having Marilyn's character be played by such a beautiful actress really adds another element to the film. The ending is interesting, I mean I guess that's what a 1952 slasher would be like. Scary..but no actual deaths and the psycho gets help at the end. haha But yeah, she's always mesmerizing. I really like her in The River of No Return..Marilyn with long hair in blue jeans among mountain scenery is just an incredible visual in itself.
She could have been the ultimate Bad Girl ~ Hollywood had no vision in those days. She talked with that lowered upper lip thing because of her stupid Ford Model Agency woman telling her to do it. She needed to just not listen to ANYONE and just be HERSELF
I'm excited for the upcoming watch of The Awful Truth. That was one of the legendary comedies when I was growing up with classics in the '70s and '80s. I saw it in a theater. It doesn't get talked enough about now and it's one of the greatest screwball comedies.
A little Trivia: The scene where Richard Widmark enters the room to save the little girl, and threw Marilyn to the floor, that was for real. So, when Marilyn hit the floor that was no sound effect. Ouch!!! This by far was Marilyn's best picture, she showed that she could really act. It's a shame that Hollywood execs., subjected her as their idealistic white woman, who was the stereotypic sexy, air headed, blonde bombshell. She deserved so much better and to be taken seriously as an actress.
Alright! This and Niagara are my favorite Marilyn Monroe movies. That's funny about back to back Bancroft. I have another Anne Bancroft film that I bet you'd enjoy. It's The Slender Thread from 1965 with Sidney Poitier and Telly Savalas. You remain top tier among reactors. You are pretty much the ONLY one to give historical background and backstory to every movie you react to. Thanks a bunch 😀
The 7-Year-Itch with Marylin and a guy named Tom is surreal (comedy). She gets her big toe stuck in the bathtub nozzle. She sometimes gets her lines all the way through.
Mia, another splendid review AND another subtle hint for you to review Random Harvest (Greer Garson & Ronald Coleman. I REALLY think you'll enjoy the movie! OR perhaps you might checkout Steel Magnolias. thanks again for sharing!
The Awful Truth was the funniest movie my mother had ever seen, but she was only fifteen when it came out in 1937. Cary and Irene Dunne made three films together with the other two being the comedy My Favorite Wife and Penny Serenade a melodrama. For Mother’s Day you should react to Irene’s film I Remember Mama. For Father’s Day react to Irene’s and William Powell’s movie Life With Father.
Thank God this movie had a happy ending. Is happy the right word for this movie's conclusion? I mean I'm just glad the characters tried to make things right. I'm impressed. What a thought-provoking way to start my morning. And thanks to the film makers and Mia Tiffany for being respectful of mental health.
I watched this film very early on into my classic film watching phase and it left a great impression on me. Marilyn puts in an incredible performance and as you say, it is such a shame that she didn't get more opportunities to shine in dramas
Widmark in the movie Kiss of Death was so creepy, so evil- he pushed an old lady in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs… and had this creepy laugh. It made him a big star- and a fan base. So odd- but I get it!
Remember, Marilyn Monroe's mother had mental issues. That's why Marilyn (Norma Jean) was raised in foster care. Marilyn may have been influenced on how to play this role, from visiting her mother in the insane asylum.
An underrated movie. Loved the reaction. It was interesting to see Elisha Cook Jr. as A) Not a gangster, and B) Not horribly killed by the bad guy. Most of his characters usually don't do all that well. Keep these great movies, especially the noir stuff, coming!
Heard that that Marilyn had difficulties filming certain scenes. Especially the final ones because of the trauma she experienced as a child and with her mother being in and out of hospitals.
I grew up on an extremely underrated James Cagney movie, which is the 1948 "Time of Your Life" film where he acts with William Bendix & his sister Jeanne (there's a bit with the two of them about nostalgia for home - epic). My favorite film of his & it meant that I recognized Jeanne as the telephone operator when my aunt & uncle showed me this movie last year sometime in January (2023). I absolutely adore this movie & with all the 'here's the 3 1/2 hour version' of films nowadays, it's such a perfect example of a story with not a single wasted scene or line or moment (etc). If you've never seen the James Cagney one, you should watch it. There are actually 2 versions - I grew up on the scratchy bad quality dvd which was the 'theatrical cut', but I do have a link to the 'full' version in great quality of the movie. Actually, I'll just put the link below (there are some awesome character moments that the theatre version cut out, including a great 'sharing a moment together' which involves a policeman, an Arabic immigrant, & the chemistry of a white tap dancer with a black piano player). Also, I adore this fanvid maker, Laura, who focuses on Classic 'Golden Age' Hollywood entertainment. She has made the best & most perfect Marilyn Monroe tribute ever, so I'll put the link below as well to that. "Time of Your Life" (1948, James Cagney) film: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rs6OGrWnD74.html "Marilyn Monroe Summertime Sadness" tribute vid: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tvfIaZRwmwc.html And for the heck, I'm more than happy to share the link of my playlist with her fanvids (& Pteryx who is another hidden gem of a video creator & storyteller perfectly expressing emotions & humanity). Link: ru-vid.com/group/PLU4ffMNxgZYU1c8Cf3_9VcWXwmIuL3hyw
@@HuntingVioletsHe did nothing wrong. It was standard for photographers to sell photos to magazines. Marilyn had already done several photoshoots for what they called cheesecake or pinup magazines.
Great reaction as usual, Ms. Mia. Anybody reading this who hasn't seen Widmark's breakout performance in "KIss of Death" is seriously missing out. Widmark isn't given top billing on the film poster but he totally stole the show with his portrayal of gangster Tommy Udo. The scene where he murders his rival's mother is considered one of Hollywood's top 100 scenes in American film history. Give it a look.
Had never seen this Marilyn Monroe movie. TCM has a lot of old movies, but never saw this one. Will need to see if I can find the movie to watch the whole thing.
Hi Mia! I love your channel and your appreciation for old movies :) When I was young we had a few videos that we watched over and over - including some great Doris day films such as Tea for Two. She is such a wonderful singer and actress, so I definitely recommend checking out her movies!
Im so glad you got to see this film. When you were doing Marilyns films last year I was hoping you wouldsee this film. If you want to see the closest thing to Norma Jeane, watch her second film but she has a staring role and so fun to watch the movie is "Ladies Of The Chorus" 1948 her voice is pretty close to her natural voice.Ive been a #1 MM fan since 1969, if you have any questions I can answer them. Keep up the great work you do,they should tire you on TCM you would be terrific.Also the last film she would do, unfinished shows Marilyn is the closest thing to her real voice, very minor softens but as close as you can get her to natural voice and I love it. The film is "Somethings Got To Give" 1962/63 they put together an hour of the movie as close as it could get to a finished film, Never has Mariyn Looked or acted better in her whole carrer.Its so sad she never finsihed it,She would have had a whole new persona and carrrer.Please watch that.Its under 20th Centry fox,if you can find it on RU-vid uncut and in color. Thanks
Great to see someone react to this little known gem....thanks Mia. Another excellent movie that is ignored a lot is "Clash By Night", same year (1952) and directed by Fritz Lang and starring Barbara Stanwyck, Paul Douglas and Robert Ryan. Marilyn's role is VERY contemporary and ahead of it's time, and her acting is the most "natural" of all her films (my opinion)...and holds up very well with the competition. Strong performances by all...great drama.......check it out.
i always thought this film was her best acting.....along with her performance in Niagara. I cannot get through The Misfits, Prince and the Showgirl or Lets Make Love.. Check out Ladies of the Chorus - she's adorable in that film.
Roy Ward Baker and the studio in general, did NOT suoport Marilyn's performance. They wanted a melodramatic, laughing hysterical full out madwoman. But Marilyn knew better. Between Baker berating her acting and the memories the performance brought back to her THAT was the reason Baker had the issues he did. Only Anne Bancroft said that watching Marilyn emote in the attempted suicide/lobby scene brought her to tears. The poor box office of this film kept Marilyn in comedies as it was felt at the time she could not handle drama.
I have to say that I'm one of the people who just doesn't get the appeal of Marilyn. Which is not a commentary on the quality of this movie. Thank you for sharing it with us Mia. You're always the highlight of my weekend.
I love the classic movies reactions. May I request a great movie with Steve Martin called Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid which incorporates clips from a lot of movies. It is a fun movie for lovers of the classics.
Marilyn's performance might have been too close to home for her. This might have been very emotionally disturbing for her personally, and beck then mental issues were quite stigmatized. The very fact that she could relate to the role she was playing most likely made her own emotional status even worse. I wonder if she ever shook the feelings that this film brought up for her.
Honestly Mia, you might sprinkle a little Bancroft into every month - such a wide range of films. Perhaps her most against-type was being directed by her husband in Silent Movie (1976).
