Norma Jean and Marilyn

Starring:Ashley Judd, Mira Sorvino, Josh Charles, Ron Rifkin, David Dukes, Peter Dobson, Taylor Nichols, John Rubinstein, Allan Corduner, Dana Goldstone, Micole Mercurio, Lindsay Crouse, John Apicella, Robert Alan Beuth, Frank Birney, Earl Boen, Kevin Bourland, Dennis Bowen, Ardie Bryant, Nancy Linehan Charles
Director: Tim Fywell
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

Anita Loos's old story from the 1920s about a pair of single women in search of husbands gets a makeover in Howard Hawks's 1953 musical, starring Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe as friends who go to Paris looking for mates. The film is charged by Hawks's stylish snap, a famous set piece or two (Monroe descending that staircase while singing "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"), Russell's wit, and songs by Leo Robin and Jule Styne. The film may largely be a fluff project best remembered as a showcase for its leading actresses, but then Monroe and Russell rarely got such extended opportunities to prove that they were more than cinematic icons. --Tom Keogh

Product Description

These glamorous showgirls have everything a girl could want - except engagement rings! In a quest for true love, Lorelei (Marilyn Monroe) and her gold digger pal Dorothy (Jane Russell) set sail on a luxury-liner bound for France. But the pair hits rocky waters when a manipulative detective, an over-aged, over sexed millionaire (Charles Coburn) and the entire men's Olympic team try to put an anchor in their marriage-minded mischief. It's a wild and joyously funny ride across the Atlantic as our bathing beauties plan and plot a way to land their men.

System Requirements:
Running Time: 97 minutes

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.......2007-05-07

First class service . Wonderful movie brings back lots of memories of happy times.

Brash, sassy and fun!.......2007-02-07

A kiss on the hand
May be quite continental,
But diamonds are a girl's best friend.

A kiss may be grand
But it won't pay the rental
On your humble flat
Or help you at the automat.

Men grow cold
As girls grow old,
And we all lose our charms in the end.

But square-cut or pear-shaped,
These rocks don't loose their shape.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Tiffany's!
Cartier!
Black Starr!
Frost Gorham!
Talk to me Harry Winston.
Tell me all about it!

There may come a time
When a lass needs a lawyer,
But diamonds are a girl's best friend.

There may come a time
When a hard-boiled employer
Thinks you're awful nice,
But get that ice or else no dice.

He's your guy
When stocks are high,
But beware when they start to descend.

It's then that those louses
Go back to their spouses.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes gave Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell the perfect opportunity to showcase their numerous talents. They sing beautiful numbers including "(We're Just) Two Little Girls From Little Rock;" "Bye Bye Baby;" "Ain't There Anyone Here For Love" and "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend." When Marilyn and Jane dance to some of these numbers their beauty and talent strike the viewer as incredible. Tommy Noonan turns in a strong and convincing performance as Gus Esmond, the American man who wants to marry Lorelei, who is played by Marilyn Monroe. Charles Coburn and Norma Varden perform as Sir Francis 'Piggy' Beekman and Lady Beekman, super rich people who got their wealth from diamond mining in South Africa. The crisp, clear color reflects the hard work to restore this movie and the sound is excellent, too! Jule Styne and Leo Robin provide wonderful music and lyrics for the classic songs in this picture.

The film starts as Lorelei and her girlfriend Dorothy Shaw embark on a ship for France. Although Dorothy plans to chaperone Lorelei, Lorelei has different plans and soon Dorothy's quest for a man distracts her from overseeing Lorelei anyway. The ship carries a male Olympic relay team and they certainly attract Dorothy's attention. A cast of characters are also on board, the most notable of which are Sir Beekman, who longs for an affair with a younger woman. His wife, Lady Beekman, travels with him. These characters all together on the same ship prove to be the ultimate formula for high jinks on both the high seas and overseas! Lorelei and Dorothy proceed to sink their claws into rich men for their money. However, unbeknownst to Lorelei, her fiancé's father, Mr. Esmond, Sr., employs a detective onboard. The detective, Ernie Malone, must follow Lorelei and find evidence that she will be unfaithful to her fiancé Gus Esmond. Mr. Esmond, Sr. can then destroy all plans for the wedding of Lorelei and Gus. Gus's father believes that such a marriage would be unsuitable for his son.

The scenes in Paris offer stunning backdrops and a wonderful idea of what Paris looked like in the early 1950s. After a few ups and downs Lorelei and Dorothy unexpectedly appear to be in a lot of financial trouble and they get jobs in a show to make money. Lorelei performs the unforgettable song and dance number "Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend" with male back up dancers. However, things become even more complicated when Lorelei stands accused of stealing a tiara that belonged to Lady Beekman. Actually, Sir Beekman gave the tiara to Lorelei in a weak moment because he found her to be beautiful--too bad he never told Lady Beekman! Lorelei and Dorothy sing the beautiful number "When Love Goes Wrong (Nothing Goes Right)." The cops begin to nip at their heels and Lorelei--or someone quite like her--appears in court because Lady Beekman wants her tiara returned to her. The ensuing court scene boasts a comedic, campy quality to it. Awesome!

Do things work themselves out at the end of this picture? Well, folks, there are no spoilers here--watch this movie and see for yourselves!

Marilyn Monroe fans will thrill to this great picture and Jane Russell fans will enjoy it just as much. People who enjoy musical comedies will also like this picture.

The film crowned Monroe in her position as the nation's new 'Love Goddess.'.......2006-12-31

Jane Russell's lack of ego and Monroe's sense of fun meshed perfectly when they co-starred in Anita Loos' light-hearted satire of the old adage that when a woman goes bad, men go right after her...

Monroe was a wonder in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." She comes into the film looking like a winner, and leaves as one... The picture has been set by the tone of her personality, set just so fully, let us say, as Ingmar Bergman leaves his mood on every scene...

Her personality infuses every corner of the film as if she has even picked the scenery to work for her... So the movie rises above its pretext, its story, its existence as a musical, even its music, and becomes at its best a magic work, yet it is a comic bubble without weight or solemnity, another piece of spun sugar come up out of everything banal in entertainment...

But Marilyn remains a great comedian, a sexual delight, especially when she sang "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." The film crowned Monroe in her position as the nation's new 'Love Goddess' with the promise of many sparkling hits to come, and Jane Russell's career continued, with less fanfare, but very successfully for several more years...

"Talk to me Harry Winston, tell me all about it".......2006-09-10

I must confess I had forgotten just how good this movie actually is. The plot involves the adventures of one gold digger (Monroe) and one man hungry vamp (Russell). While I must confess that for Monroe this probably was her starmaking role, Russell really shines in the role of Dorothy, who inevitably must play Ethel to Marilyn Monroe's Lucy.

The tone is set for this movie by the opening number which involves Russell and Monroe singing about "The Man from Little Rock." I am not sure how much effort was put into shooting this particular number, but Russell and Monroe are so striking that even the dead probably would take notice and burst into applause.

This movie is famous for the "Diamonds are a girl's best Friend" number that Monroe did and Madonna copied in her "Material Girl" video. However, for my money, Russell certainly shows her considerable star quality when she parodies this number in the subsequent court room scene. No wonder Russell impressed Howard Hughes in her heyday. Hopefully she will be the subject of one of the box set tribute collections.

In short, this movie is a pure delight and well worth repeated watchings. It is worth the price of admission to see two great stars at the height of their powers.

Pure Marilyn, pure light-hearted fun........2005-12-28

Arguably, along with the 'Seven Year Itch', this lighthearted 50's musical comedy is the most definitive 'Marilyn' film. In particular for her memorable 'Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend' number, so adorable in its (and her)innocent mocking self parody and brought to life again several decades later in Madonna's, 80's' Material Girl' Video.
This pairing of 'Monroe' and 'Russell' as two voluptuous show girls from 'Little Rock'" in search of fun and a man or two on their way to Paris aboard a cruise ship, is pure Hollywood sugar coated entertainment and escapism.
Marilyne is just so funny and cute as the wide eyed, but gold digging, 'Lorelei', the supposed 'Dumb Blonde' who knows what she wants however, and why. In suitable contrast Jane Russell plays 'Dorothy' the more serious, switched on and streetwise Brunette. Who on the other hand, lets her heart(rather than her bank acccount)rule her head when it comes to men and plays a kind of big sister role to her more naive, but materialistic focused compatriot.
Though it may be said that for the most part 'Russell' is somewhat eclipsed by the 'platinum' ultra luminous presence of the 'eternal woman-child' Ms Monroe. She undoubtedly brings a lot of energy to the role, and the camaraderie and chemistry they deliver as a pair contribute much to the films charm and success.
There are several very entertaining 'showgirl' type musical numbers throughout. But I confess I enjoy Marilyn's ditzy remarks, balanced by a her cunningly disguised 'knowingness' the most. Sooo cute when she refers to the ship's portals as 'round windows' and innocently tries on a diamond tiara around her neck. Then, at the end justifies and explains her money driven ways to her finance's contemtuous Father,in the most surprisingly clever way. Pure 'Marilyn' in all her pure, unique celluloid magic!

Average customer rating:

batcall
I wouldn't ever watch this movie again!
Intrigiuing look at what made Marilyn Monroe
A slow, Sunday-afternoon kinds of film
poor casting.

Norma Jean and Marilyn
Starring: Ashley Judd , Mira Sorvino , Josh Charles , Ron Rifkin , and David Dukes
Director: Tim Fywell
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002ERXB8
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Description

Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd star as two sides of the woman America loved, but who struggled to love herself: Marilyn Monroe. Sensuous, shocking, sensational, this is the secret life and loves of the girl called Norma Jean and the woman who became Marilyn.

Customer Reviews:

batcall.......2007-06-28

A great story of what could have been going through Marilyn Monroes' mind. Great acting by Ashley and Mira.

I wouldn't ever watch this movie again!.......2007-03-13

When I saw this movie, I knew that all of the truth wouldn't be in the film. I just didn't know they would bend the truth that much! It was poorly researched the facts wern't straight and they over exaggerated her sex life and made her out to be a codependent woman who would sell out to any man that was "someone". I mean come on, I know she was a sex symbol of her time and wanted attention, but they took it to far. Another thing that really bothered me, was how they made it seem like she was a crazy loon, a huge junkie and a stupid person! She was not any of those things. Anyone who has ever read a book or interviews with her, would know that. So I'm telling you now, if you want to "know" about Marilyn Monroe, your better off buying a bio about her. The only good thing about this movie, is that Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino are really good actresses.

Intrigiuing look at what made Marilyn Monroe.......2007-02-19

There are some insightful reviews here already. This movie is thoughtful and, interestingly, trys to show us the perspectives of Norma Jean and Marilyn in the same scenes at the same time.

It's not a terribly detailed account of her life but it gives us quite enough to realise what a terrible psychological struggle it must have been to become and sustain Marilyn Monroe. One reviewer here has spoken about the inner rage Marilyn must have carried with her. I think that's right and we see it in this movie.

I thought Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino were both excellent. Ashley gets to play it more or less straight; Mira has the harder more complex job and I think she pulls it off really well.

The movie doesn't show us that much of the charming Marilyn that the world fell in love with but that's difficult because Monroe was truly exceptional and no biopic so far has captured her astonishing presence. This movie trys to show us what was behind that presence. I appreciated this try at glimpsing her inner life. But I can also see why some would be offended at, what is at times, a one dimensional portrayal of Marilyn as stupid and then a seriously disturbed, alcoholic junkie (I was irritated too). The movie assumes the viewer already knows a lot and can fill in the gaps and find a balance for themselves. There's enough information out there after all. Overall I liked this movie.

A slow, Sunday-afternoon kinds of film.......2006-12-20

Perhaps Norma Jean and Marilyn was intended to be a showpiece, a
major calling card, attraction or publicity stunt by HBO, which was
impossible to access outside USA's cable companies, for a long
time.

Perhaps it was intended to be a statement, by the leading
actress, the obviously talented Ashley Judd, in terms of
achievement and sex appeal.

Or maybe it was a failed attempt, in recreating Marilyn Monroe's
life, with a small budget movie made for cable TV.

Whatever it was, the story is one of the most perplexing ones in
recent times, mainly by the juxtaposition of Mira Sorvino and
Judd, throughout the second half of the feature, while both
playing the same Monroe, perhaps suggesting an internal struggle
in the mind of the 50's legend, between her real, simple self,
and the "bombshell chick" exposed in the public eye, and mass
media, that she also needs to pretend to be, to maintain her
status.

In terms of the Judd, as with almost every one of her movies, she
bravely does either the nude or semi-nude 15 second shot that's
almost comically come to characterize almost each of her movies,
over the past 10 years vs. her original refusal in Kuffs, with
Christian Slater, to do so, paradoxically.

The action unfolds, unconvincingly, in terms of action, dialog,
story-telling or explaining why certain things are seen and said,
although the actors, and sets clearly demonstrate the 50's and
60's era, and the classy restaurants, venues, hotels that Monroe
learned to inhabit and expect in her lifestyle.

Unfortunately for Sorvino, I believe her efforts were too timid
to be effective, as she fails to express sufficient confidence in
her speech and how she carries herself for the viewer to believe
she was Monroe, while Ashley Judd, is the complete opposite,
handling all aspects extremely well, yet ...as said, this movie
suggests Monroe was perhaps a schizophrenic by having 2 actresses
playing the same Monroe in the same scenes, inexplicably.

All in all, a slow Sunday afternoon movie, from which the viewer
will chuckle a few times, but mostly, fast forward from extreme
boredom. But for Ashley fans, obviously, is a must see.

poor casting........2006-11-13

the actor portraying marilyn did not even resemble the role! (she couldn't act it either) ... even still, it was mildly entertaining.

Average customer rating:

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Brash, sassy and fun!
The film crowned Monroe in her position as the nation's new 'Love Goddess.'
"Talk to me Harry Winston, tell me all about it"
Pure Marilyn, pure light-hearted fun.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Starring: Jane Russell , Marilyn Monroe , Charles Coburn , Elliott Reid , and Tommy Noonan
Director: Howard Hawks
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Bus Stop

ASIN: B000059GEG
Release Date: 2001-05-29

Amazon.com essential video

Description

Customer Reviews:

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.......2007-05-07

First class service . Wonderful movie brings back lots of memories of happy times.

Brash, sassy and fun!.......2007-02-07

The film crowned Monroe in her position as the nation's new 'Love Goddess.'.......2006-12-31

"Talk to me Harry Winston, tell me all about it".......2006-09-10

Pure Marilyn, pure light-hearted fun........2005-12-28

Classic Marilyn Monroe Films DVD: 1954 Blonde Bombshell Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane) Tours Asia History Pictures Movies/Films DVD

Average customer rating:

Classic Marilyn Monroe Films DVD: 1954 Blonde Bombshell Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane) Tours Asia History Pictures Movies/Films DVD

Manufacturer: Quality Information Publishers Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Table Of Contents:
(1) Marilyn Monroe At Toyko Army Hospital, Tokyo Japan (1954) - 3 Minutes
(2) Marilyn Monroe Shows in Korea (1954) - 7 Minutes

ASIN: B000SE88FM

Product Description

Any real Marilyn Monroe fan knows the value of actual film footage of the iconic actress and also knows how difficult it is to get your hands on such footage. Thats what makes this DVD edition of a rare Marilyn Monroe military film so important. In this film, Marilyn visits a military hospital and stops for numerous photo opportunities with soldiers and fans. With a bomber jacket the only thing covering her sleek black dress, she is truly a vision of sexy radiance in this film. When she takes the jacket off and does a shimmy and a shake for the audience, the crowd goes wild and flashbulbs seem to pop endlessly in the sea of spectators. There are three instances of Monroe on stage dancing, jumping and talking joyously to large crowds with a band in the background. Later in the footage, Marilyn travels by helicopter and plane and meets and greets more military men at various base locations. You cant find this DVD edition anywhere else, so do not miss out...this is absolutely a must-have for Monroe collectors! Table Of Contents: (1) Marilyn Monroe At Toyko Army Hospital, Tokyo Japan (1954) - Ms. Monroe visits hospitalized military men as she brightens the lives of wounded soldiers with her infectious smile 3 Minutes (2) Marilyn Monroe Shows in Korea (1954) - Ms. Monroe performs for the troops in this rare glimpse of her army base tour through Asia - 7 Minutes

Average customer rating:

batcall
I wouldn't ever watch this movie again!
Intrigiuing look at what made Marilyn Monroe
A slow, Sunday-afternoon kinds of film
poor casting.

Norma Jean and Marilyn [Region 2]
Starring: Ashley Judd , Mira Sorvino , Josh Charles , Ron Rifkin , and David Dukes
Director: Tim Fywell
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Normal Life
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ASIN: B0001NIYFO

Customer Reviews:

batcall.......2007-06-28

A great story of what could have been going through Marilyn Monroes' mind. Great acting by Ashley and Mira.

I wouldn't ever watch this movie again!.......2007-03-13

Intrigiuing look at what made Marilyn Monroe.......2007-02-19

A slow, Sunday-afternoon kinds of film.......2006-12-20

poor casting........2006-11-13

the actor portraying marilyn did not even resemble the role! (she couldn't act it either) ... even still, it was mildly entertaining.

Charlie Rose with Kim Basinger; Joyce Carol Oates (May 8, 2000)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Kim Basinger; Joyce Carol Oates (May 8, 2000)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

Actress Kim Basinger on her career and her latest movie, I Dreamed of Africa, based on the story of conservationist Kuki Gallmann. Later, writer Joyce Carol Oates talks about her new book, Blonde, a fictionalized version of the life of Norma Jean Baker and her transition to Marilyn Monroe.

Charlie Rose with Susan Sontag; Joyce Carol Oates; Zadie Smith (August 15, 2000)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Susan Sontag; Joyce Carol Oates; Zadie Smith (August 15, 2000)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

Description

Writer, critic and activist Susan Sontag on her new novel, In America, which tells the story of a group of Polish immigrants who, led by one of Poland's greatest actresses, travel to California in 1876 and attempt to establish a utopian commune in search of identity. Later, writer Joyce Carol Oates talks about her new book, Blonde, a fictionalized version of the life of Norma Jean Baker and her transition to Marilyn Monroe. Finally, British writer Zadie Smith discusses her well-received debut novel, White Teeth, set in the multi-cultural suburbs of North London, which was just bought for presentation on the BBC.

Average customer rating:

Don't bother

Marilyn Monroe An Act of Murder
Director: Hugh Frazier
Manufacturer: Frazier Media Producations
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Inside Marilyn Monroe
Misplaced Loyalties: The Assassinations of Marilyn Monroe & the Kennedy Brothers

Product Features:

Marilyn Monroe an act of murder

ASIN: B000KIT89Q

Product Description

The producers have developed a timeline of events that for first time in 44 years provides the facts and the startling revelation of murder in the death of actress Marilyn Monroe.

Customer Reviews:

Don't bother.......2007-02-09

Complete speculation, poor quality, utterly disappointing. Looks like it was shot in the slums. I barely finished this, and tossed it in the trash, I wouldn't subject anyone else to this piece of trash.

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