How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

Three women set out to find eligible millionaires to marry, but find true love in the process.

Director:

Jean Negulesco

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson (screen play), Zoe Akins (plays)

Stars:

Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Betty Grable	...	Loco Dempsey
Marilyn Monroe	...	Pola Debevoise
Lauren Bacall	...	Schatze Page
David Wayne	...	Freddie Denmark
Rory Calhoun	...	Eben Salem
Cameron Mitchell	...	Tom Brookman
Alexander D'Arcy	...	J. Stewart Merrill (as Alex D'Arcy)
Fred Clark	...	Waldo Brewster
William Powell	...	J.D. Hanley

Storyline

Three New York models, Shatze, Pola and Loco set up in an exclusive apartment with a plan....tired of cheap men and a lack of money, they intend to use all their talents to trap and marry three millionaires. The trouble is that it's not so easy to tell the rich men from the hucksters - and even when they can, is the money really worth it?

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Plot Keywords:

manhattan new york city | remake | millionaire | comedy of errors | mistaken identity | 

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Taglines:

The Most Glamorous Entertainment Of Your Lifetime in CinemaScope. You See It Without Glasses!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

In one scene, the three women are talking to each other about who they would like to marry. Pola (Marilyn Monroe) says she would like to marry "Mr. Cadillac" and Schatze (Lauren Bacall) replies, "No such person, I checked." However, there WAS a Mr. Cadillac. He was the French governor of Canada and founded the city of Detroit. In 1710 he was named the Governor of Louisiana. The Cadillac automobile was named after him and his surname lives on in the form of his descendants.

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Goofs

The fur wrap that Pola picks up from the bed at the wedding party and drops on the floor is back on to the bed while she and Schatzie are talking.

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Quotes

Pola Debevoise: I want to marry Rockefeller.
Schatze Page: Which one?
Pola Debevoise: I don't care.

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Connections

Referenced in Married... with Children: How to Marry a Moron (1997)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

20th Century Fox's 2nd 'CINEMASCOPE' film

You may wonder "Why does Marilyn Monroe,Betty Grable & Lauren Bacall keep spreading across a lounge in so many scenes?" the answer is not vain- pleasure-seeking body language but CINEMASCOPE lens requirements.I watched this film on a old released Video Tape & delighted that it was a full-screen fixed camera issue & not a letterbox reduction release.I delighted in NOT seeing the person speaking & only the stilted recipient's reactions. You have to observe all the action as there are no camera angles or close ups.This was too 'startling' to a cinemascope theatre audience. What other film can boast a full orchestra opening with every member of that orchestra in full view of the cinema audience:-like in a live concert. The first Cinemascope film was 'The Robe' followed by 'How To Marry A Millionaire'. As the other reviewers has said;A 'feel-good' film with nostalgic 'old-time'high society values. Did anyone spot the 'moral' of the tale?.'Better to love for love's sake than for money'.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Latin Arabic

Release Date:

20 November 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

How to Marry a Millionaire

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,870,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (1959 Reissue) (Western Electric Recording) (Stereo) Stereo (1959 Reissue) (Stereo)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.66 : 1