tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507748677937404511.post1204182637347302257..comments2024-03-08T06:38:49.820-05:00Comments on Dancin' Dan On Film: Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Gentlemen Prefer BlondesDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11480863610135936930noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507748677937404511.post-32930263890255922482016-07-13T16:33:22.871-04:002016-07-13T16:33:22.871-04:00Tommy Noonan is very endearing as Esmond. It's...Tommy Noonan is very endearing as Esmond. It's been a while since I've seen The Celluloid Closet, so I don't remember if the character factored into the discussion about this film or if it was all about Jane's big number, but watching the film this time I was seeing all kinds of signs that he was gay - from the way he acts in his first scene, to how he looks longingly away from Lorelei when saying goodbye - towards the Olympic athletes in the next room, and of course, his desire to get away from his father. It's probably a stretch but I couldn't get it out of my head.<br /><br />I also love Norma Varden doing her best Dame Edith Evans/Wendy Hiller as Lady Beekman. And young Master Spofford made me chortle with laughter whenever he was onscreen.<br /><br />I also agree about that blue dress on Marilyn - best thing she wore in the whole movie, maybe only after the gold dress she appears in for a hot second.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11480863610135936930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507748677937404511.post-53812708634517368642016-07-13T16:25:40.939-04:002016-07-13T16:25:40.939-04:00I love that scene, too! Especially since there had...I love that scene, too! Especially since there hadn't been a single song in the previous 40 minutes - and what a fun number it is!Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11480863610135936930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507748677937404511.post-3861370492160115072016-07-13T08:57:48.087-04:002016-07-13T08:57:48.087-04:00This is such a great movie and equal in comedy and...This is such a great movie and equal in comedy and musical. Russell and Monroe became friends on set and off when Monroe didn't have many friends at all. You are so right regarding the colours and the styling of it. One of my favourite scenes is when the 2 gals sing they are from Little Rock at the corner Cafe. I love Charles Coburn as well....he's such a great actorBirgithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09439720285857050428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5507748677937404511.post-80566482641943780922016-07-13T08:40:40.017-04:002016-07-13T08:40:40.017-04:00Great choices! And your Best Shot is so well judge...Great choices! And your Best Shot is so well judged, love that you measured the distance to arrive at the conclusion that her necklace is dead center! That shows the craftmanship that was put into the film. I don't know if there is a bad choice in the entire picture. It's not just that the whole movie is a color explosion with two brilliant lead performances but it's bench is so deep as well. <br /><br />Charles Coburn is hysterical as Sir Francis "Piggy" Beekman, Norma Varden nails her little vignette as Lady Beekman (and her hat!), and the scenes between Marilyn and George Winslow as Henry Spofford III are comedic gold.<br /><br />I adore Tommy Noonan as the lovably goofy Gus Esmond. He had a good run during this period what with this and playing Judy Garland's best friend Danny the next in A Star is Born but then his career sort of petered out into lower level stuff, I guess he and Tony Randall were in competition for the same roles and Tony had the better luck. He had some interesting show biz family interconnections. His half brother was John Ireland who was married to Joanne Dru whose brother was Peter Marshall (of Hollywood Squares fame) who was Tommy's comedy partner for years (they were a sort of minor league Martin & Lewis)!<br /><br />Even the arrival of Gus's father, played to perfection by Taylor Holmes, lands just right because of how expertly it's both played and shot. By the way that's the scene where I think Marilyn looks her best, that deep blue dress flatters her so much, both the color and design.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.com