Two Musical Comedys From The 1950s Sure to Lift Your Spirits - There is no Business Like Show Business and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

 There's No Business Like Show Business is a 1954 American musical comedy-drama film directed by Walter Lang. It stars an ensemble cast, consisting of Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Marilyn Monroe, Dan Dailey, Johnnie Ray, and Mitzi Gaynor. The title is borrowed from the famous song in the stage musical (and MGM film) Annie Get Your Gun. The screenplay was written by Phoebe Ephron and Henry Ephron, based on a story by Lamar Trotti; and the movie was Fox's first musical in CinemaScope and DeLuxe Color. O'Connor later called the film the best picture he ever made.

The film tells the story of the Donahue family, a vaudeville act that becomes a successful Broadway show. The parents, Terry (Dailey) and Molly (Merman), are the driving force behind the act, but their children all have their own dreams. Steve (Ray) wants to become a priest, Katy (Gaynor) wants to be a star, and Tim (O'Connor) wants to be a dancer. 

The film follows the Donahues as they navigate the ups and downs of show business. They experience success and failure, love and loss, but they always come back together. The film is a celebration of the show business world and the people who make it work.

There's No Business Like Show Business was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Merman. The film also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture.

The film is a classic of the musical genre. It features some of Irving Berlin's most famous songs, including "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Heat Wave," and "Alexander's Ragtime Band." The film is also notable for its star-studded cast, which includes some of the biggest names in Hollywood at the time.

The film is a classic of the musical genre. It features some of Irving Berlin's most famous songs, including "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Heat Wave," and "Alexander's Ragtime Band

I like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes much more than There is no Business Like Show Business. I totally enjoyed the close friendship of the lead characters played by Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe, The comic genius of Monroe shines through as does that of Jane Russell. And it does not hurt that skin tight dresses show of their 1950s Playboy figures. There are also gorgeous men (including a dance sequence with Russell and a dozen scantily attired men that must have shocked the prudish), silly old men (yikes!) Going crazy for Marilyn, an excitement laden cruise passage from New York to Paris on which Marilyn pursues wealthy men while Jane goes after 20 young men on an Olympic team.

"A kiss on the hand might feel very good, but a diamond tiara is forever."

The two women are from Little Rock. They had a singing and dancing act. They moved to New York City as Marilyn, Loralie, wants a very rich husband.and Jane just wants love. I don't want to give a way the plot line except to say it is fun and exciting.

Both movies are on. YouTube

I will soon do a post on two musicals starring Rita Hayworth

Mel Ulm