In How To Marry A Millionaire, three lovely gold diggers share a Manhattan penthouse, hoping to lure eligible rich men. But the best laid plans …
How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) starring Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall
Review
Actually, How To Marry A Millionaire is a very funny, enjoyable comedy. It’s technically a romcom since the three gold diggers actually fall in love — though not necessarily with the men they originally picked. The three main protagonists are actually likable, although they become more likable as the story progresses … And each matures a little more.
The ending of the film, with the three couples each now married, is hilarious! They’re celebrating at a hamburger joint, with Lauren’s character still thinking that her new husband is a pauper … Until he pulls out a massive wad of cash, pays the tab with a thousand dollar bill and tells the man to keep the change! All three wives faint! And the husbands all toast their unconscious brides.
Product Description
They’re three beautiful models, looking for the man and the money of their dreams! Almost broke, they pool their funds to rent a posh Manhattan penthouse in which they plan to lure their victims. But the gold digger’s plans suddenly go awry when two of them fall for men who appear to be poor! Trying to stop each other from marrying the wrong guy, Monroe, Grable, Bacall deliver the finest comedic performances of their careers. And they learn that a rich man is actually worthless- unless you’re in love with him!
Cast of characters
- Betty Grable (Springtime in the Rockies) as Loco Dempsey. Pretty, kind, and sweet. She picks the wrong man, but Fate brings her together with … a park ranger?
- Marilyn Monroe (Don’t Bother to Knock) as Pola Debevoise. Extremely attractive — and extremely nearsighted — Pola refuses to wear her glasses in the presence of men — leading to multiple comedy moments.
- Lauren Bacall (Key Largo) as Schatze Page. The ringleader of the trio of gold diggers. Her first husband was a failure, and she’s determined to avoid repeating her mistake. She chooses the wealthy J.D. as her target, although she falls in love with Tom.
- David Wayne (The Prize Fighter) as Freddie Denmark. Initially, seen only in the shadows, as he keeps trying to get into his apartment (where the girls now live). It turns out he’s not a tax cheat, but a man who was swindled by his accountant. And he and Pola meet multiple times, and he shares sage advice about why she needs to wear her glasses.
- Rory Calhoun (Night of the Lepus) as Eben Salem. The forest ranger, who takes care of Loco … And falls in love with her.
- Cameron Mitchell (Man on a Tightrope) as Tom Brookman. A handsome and kind young man. Schatze judges a book by its cover and dismisses him as unsuccessful, because he doesn’t wear a tie. But he’s worth over $200 million! And he pursues her, despite her telling him — after every date — that she never wants to see him again! Until her wedding day to J.D., when she realizes that she can’t enter into a loveless marriage with J.D. — and does love Tom.
- Alexander D’Arcy (Horrors of Spider Island) as J. Stewart Merrill. Handsome but sleazy phony oil tycoon. He sets his eyes on Pola. Thankfully, fate intervenes.
- Fred Clark (The Curse Of The Mummy’s Tomb) as Waldo Brewster. He already has a wife, but wants a mistress! And Loco will do quite well … Until she catches measles at the remote hunting lodge!
- William Powell (The Thin Man) as J. D. Hanley. The older man, who feels that he’s too old to marry Schatze — although he loves her. One of my favorite characters, who treats her well … And even steps aside on his own wedding day for Schatze’s benefit.
