The guide book on HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE (1953)

How to Marry a Millionaire (1953). Romantic/ comedy. Director: Jean Negulesco. Produced and written by Nunnally Johnson. Music by Alfred Newman. Cinematography: Joseph MacDonald. Costumes: Travilla. Cast: Lauren Bacall, Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, William Powell, David Wayne, Rory Calhoun, Cameron Mitchell, Alexander D'Arcy, and Fred Clark.

High fashion model Schatze Page leases a luxury New York City apartment owned by Freddie Denmark, a businessman "on the lam" from the Internal Revenue Service. She quickly calls her friend calls, Pola Debevoise, to tell her that they rented the apartment. Pola, arrives and convinces Schatze to also invite her friend Loco Dempsey, to come live with them. Loco Instructed to bring lunch, arrives with several bags of groceries and Tom Brookman, who paid for her food. Schatze, immediately kicks him out (not knowing that he is rich), tells the girls" that a man met at the cold cuts counter is not the kind of man they want to get hooked up with." Over hot dogs and champagne, Schatze tells Loco that she and Pola have taken the apartment in order to find rich husbands, and that after divorcing a "gas pump jockey," she now wants to live in luxury. Thinking Schatze's scheme is the smartest thing they ever heard, Loco and Pola agree.

After three months, none of the girls have become engaged and Schatze has to sell the furniture to pay the rent.

One afternoon, Loco comes home with another gentleman helping her with her boxes. J. D. invites the women to a reception that night, where the girls meet promising looking men. Afterward, the women accompany their dates to a fancy restaurant. Pola is escorted by J. Stewart Merrill, "Arab" who brags about his money, while Loco is accompanied by Waldo Brewster, a rich businessman who complains about his wife. Now all the girls have to do is use all their talents to trap and marry 3 millionaires.

I really enjoyed watching this film. It has three wonderful actresses of the time, Marilyn, Betty Grable, and Lauren Bacall. A great movie with cute twists and turns, with several interesting elements that make it worth watching, maybe on a Sunday afternoon.

FUN FACTS:

This film was the final box-office success in Betty Grable's 26 year movie career.

Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe, then on her way to major stardom, became friends during filming with Betty Grable, who said to her "Honey, I've have mine. Go get yours."

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=2huYSx6b1kA

Soundtracks:
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"Street Scene (aka Sentimental Rhapsody)"
(1931)
Composed and Conducted by Alfred Newman
Performed by The Twentieth Century-Fox Symphony Orchestra in the prologue


"New York, New York"
(1953) (uncredited)
Music by Lionel Newman
Lyrics by Ken Darby
Sung by chorus during the opening credits and played in the score
Conducted by Alfred Newman onscreen at the end
Performed by The Twentieth Century-Fox Symphony Orchestra


"How About You?"
(1941) (uncredited)
Music by Burton Lane
Background music played in the restaurant


"I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin'"
(1935) (uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Background music when Schatze, Pola and Loco are in the women's lounge

"Home on the Range"
(1904) (uncredited)
Music by Daniel E. Kelly
In the score during Schatze's dream

"Deep in the Heart of Texas"
(1942) (uncredited)
Music by Don Swander
In the score during Schatze's dream

"Ach, du Lieber Augustine"
(ca 1768) (uncredited)
Traditional
In the score during Loco's dream

"Sweet and Lovely"
(1931) (uncredited)
Music by Gus Arnheim, Harry Tobias and Neil Moret
In the score during the fashion showing

"You'll Never Know"
(1943) (uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played on the radio at the lodge and often throughout the picture

"I Know Why (and So Do You)"
(1941) (uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played on the piano before the wedding

"Bridal Chorus"
(1850) (uncredited)
From "Lohengrin"
Music by Richard Wagner
Played as Schatze is walking down the aisle