Marilyn Monroe’s Funniest Roles? Some Like It Hot vs. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes | Classic Movie Showdown

 

Marilyn Monroe’s Comic Brilliance: A Tale of Two Classics

Marilyn Monroe’s legacy sparkles brightest in two iconic films: Some Like It Hot (1959) and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). Both showcase her comedic timing, magnetic charm, and cultural impact—but critics and audiences have long debated which film best captures her star power. Let’s explore how reviewers have celebrated these classics across decades.

🍸 Some Like It Hot (1959): Wilder’s Gender-Bending Masterpiece

Billy Wilder’s screwball comedy broke barriers and tickled audiences with its daring premise: two musicians (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) disguise themselves as women to escape mobsters, only to fall for Monroe’s sultry singer, Sugar Kane.

Critical Highlights:

• The Hollywood Reporter’s 1959 review hailed it as a “belly-laugh comedy” and predicted box office success.

• Screen Rant emphasized its historical significance, noting how it challenged the Hays Code and paved the way for more open portrayals of gender and sexuality.

• The Aggie praised its “unapologetically queer” undertones and enduring relevance, calling it “tasteful and just as funny today”.

• Rotten Tomatoes maintains a 95% rating, with critics lauding Monroe’s comedic brilliance and the film’s timeless charm.

💎 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953): Diamonds, Wit, and Musical Glamour

Directed by Howard Hawks, this Technicolor musical pairs Monroe with Jane Russell as showgirls navigating love, wealth, and friendship. Monroe’s Lorelei Lee famously sings, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” cementing her pop culture immortality.

Critical Highlights:

• CraveDFW’s retro review calls it “a sparkling showcase of wit, song, and scene-stealing performances”.

• What to Watch reflects on its enduring appeal, noting Monroe’s “stone-cold classic” status and the film’s place in her iconic filmography.

• Far Out Magazine praises its “light-hearted” tone and clever contrast between Monroe’s gold-digging Lorelei and Russell’s romantic Dorothy.

• Rotten Tomatoes highlights the film’s vibrant energy and Monroe’s magnetic presence, keeping it a fan favorite for generations.

📚 References for Further Reading

Here’s a curated list of reviews and retrospectives:

Some Like It Hot

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes