Not as well received as “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” the earlier picture in this series, Gentlemen Marry Brunettes is a Technicolor romantic musical, starring Jane Russell and Jeanne Crain, as sisters.
Please read our review of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes:
It was directed by Richard Sale and produced by the director with Bob Waterfield (Russell’s husband) and Robert Bassler as executive producer.
The script was written by Mary Loos and Sale, based on the novel But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes by Anita Loos, aunt of Mary Loos; the studio dropped the first word (But) from the film’s title.
Loos was the author of the novel and play Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which had been turned into a smash film with Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe two years before.
The studio attempted to repeat the formula, with Russell returning but Jeanne Crain stepping in for the Monroe character, Alan Young (later the star of TV’s Mr. Ed), Scott Brady (brother of Lawrence Tierney), and Rudy Vallee also appear.
The choreography was by Jack Cole, who had also contributed to the Gentlemen Prefer Blondes film. The dance ensemble includes the young Gwen Verdon.
Note:
TCM showed the movie on April 20, 2020.
Cast
Jane Russell as Bonnie Jones / Mimi Jones
Jeanne Crain as Connie Jones / Mitzi Jones (voice dubbed by Anita Ellis)
Alan Young as Charlie Biddle / Mrs. Biddle / Mr. Henry Biddle
Scott Brady as David Action (voice dubbed by Robert Farnon)
Rudy Vallee as Himself
Guy Middleton as Earl of Wickenwave
Eric Pohlmann as M. Ballard
Robert Favart as Hotel Manager
Guido Lorraine as M. Marcel
Ferdy Mayne as M. Dufond
