60 years since Marilyn Monroe’s death: the star’s 5 greatest roles

On August 4, 1962, 1950s Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe passed away. On the occasion of the anniversary of his death, here are 5 emblematic films of the star, who died at the age of 36.

“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” by Howard Hawks

Adapted from the eponymous musical played on Broadway in 1949, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953), by Howard Hawks, follows two singer best friends who embark for France. Marilyn Monroe slips into the skin of Lorelei, a platinum blonde keen on wealthy men and diamonds, and gives the reply to Jane Russel, who plays Dorothy Shaw, a brunette dazzled by men but penniless. It is in this film that Marilyn Monroe launches this famous replica: “I can show intelligence when it is important, but most men do not like that”.

“How to Marry a Millionaire”, by Jean Negulesco

“How to Marry a Millionaire”, directed by Jean Negulesco, is the first comedy ever shot in technicolor cinemascope (a larger projection format). In this romantic comedy, the diva Marilyn Monroe, then 26 years old, plays a model, short-sighted, clumsy, and almost broke. In the New York of the 1950s, and with the help of her two friends, camped by Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall, she will then go in search of the ideal husband. In other words, of a very rich man. Their motto: “Nothing below a million a year”.

“Some Like It Hot” by Billy Wilder

Another cult role: that of Sugar Kane, in “Some like it hot” (1959), by Billy Wilder. In the French version, whose dialogues were adapted by Raymond Queneau, the actress is named Alouette. This hilarious parody of a gangster film features the escape and cross-dressing of two jazz musicians (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon). After finding themselves involuntarily at the heart of a settling of scores, they decide to turn into musicians to escape the gangsters. They then leave for Florida, where they fall in love with Sugar, alias Marilyn Monroe, who dreams of marrying a billionaire.

“The Billionaire” by George Cukor

Released in 1960 and directed by George Cukor, “The Billionaire” is the penultimate film by Maryline Monroe, who shares the bill with singer Yves Montand. The latter embodies Jean-Claude, a billionaire businessman, who will pose as an actor named Alexandre Dumas, like the writer, to seduce Amanda (Marilyn Monroe), who will turn his life upside down. In this feature film, the actress performs several songs including “My heart belongs to Daddy”, by Cole Porter. This film is also engraved in the memories because during the shooting, the two artists began an affair which caused a scandal, Yves Montand being in a relationship with Simone Signoret.

“The Misfits” by John Huston

Impossible not to mention “Les Désaxes” (1961), directed by John Huston and scripted by Arthur Miller, married to Marilyn Monroe. The actress, who shows herself in another facet, is overwhelming in this dramatic black and white film, which shows the end of the American myth, but also that of the golden age of Hollywood. It tells the story of three cowboys, played by Eli Wallach, Montgomery Clift, and Clark Gable, who capture wild horses, and compete for Roslyn’s love. A role specially written for Marilyn Monroe by her husband. Qualified as cursed, this feature film will be the last completed for Marilyn Monroe, but also Clark Gable.

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60 years since Marilyn Monroe’s death: the star’s 5 greatest roles