Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is showing at the Glasgow Film Theatre this Sunday, 6 October, at 4:30 pm, and again next Thursday, 10 October, at 6 pm, kicking off a month-long series, Cinemasters: Anita Loos, curated by Invisible Women.
“Screenwriter, author, playwright and legendary wit Anita Loos cut a glamorous swathe through Golden Era Hollywood, forging a glittering career as one of the most prolific writers in the studio system.
After getting her break writing intertitles for D.W. Griffith, Loos made a seamless transition from silent era success into talkies, soaring to international fame along the way with her bestselling novel Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Renowned for her brilliant one-liners and mastery of double-entendre, Loos found herself in high demand during the height of the Hays Code.
Her signature themes of money, gender and power remain fiercely resonant, but it is perhaps her irresistible (anti)-heroines who speak most directly to modern audiences; keenly drawn, force of nature women who ruthlessly harness their sexuality and smarts to make their way in a man’s world.
This classic tale about two showgirls searching for love (and diamonds) is writer Anita Loo’s best known work, the crown jewel in a glittering career. Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) and Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell) are best pals who decide to take off their dancing shoes and board a cruise to Europe in pursuit of adventure and romance.
Lorelei is entangled with the wealthy Gus Esmond, much to the dismay of his father who is convinced Lee is just after his money. In an attempt to catch her misbehaving, he enlists the help of a private detective to report back on her escapades.
The immortal double-act of Monroe and Russell dazzle in a delightful comedy which offers a wry commentary on money, sex and exploitation.”
The Marilyn Report 