Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a 1953 romantic comedy directed by Howard Hawks, starring Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei Lee, Tommy Noonan and Jane Russell. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $25,007 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 31m (91 min)
- Director
- Howard Hawks
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes About?
The premise of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Lorelei Lee, a stunning showgirl, is engaged to wealthy Gus Esmond, despite strong opposition from Gus’s father, Esmond Sr., who believes she is after his son’s fortune. When Lorelei embarks on a cruise with her close friend Dorothy Shaw, Esmond Sr. hires private detective Ernie Malone to tail her and look for any indiscretion that might jeopardize the marriage.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- screwball comedy
- based on stage musical
- song
- transatlantic voyage
- singer
- friendship between women
- blonde
- private detective
- ocean liner
- gold digger
- dancer
- hotel
+38 more Show fewer
- double wedding
- showgirl
- fiance fiancee relationship
- millionaire
- marriage proposal
- paris france
- nightclub
- cafe
- kiss
- seduction
- montage
- female singer
- applause
- backstage
- jewelry as gift
- cruise ship
- bon voyage party
- whispering
- gymnast
- high bar
- parallel bars
- handstand
- falling into a swimming pool
- matchmaking
- ballroom dancing
- spilling water on someone
- roll of film
- incriminating photograph
- changing clothes behind a screen
- arc de triomphe paris
- paris opera house
- reference to harry winston
- impersonation
- courtroom trial
- wedding at sea
- exercise
- gym
- weightlifting
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Cast & Characters
Marilyn Monroe leads the cast as Lorelei Lee, with Tommy Noonan as Gus Esmond and Jane Russell as Dorothy Shaw. Directed by Howard Hawks; 151 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Howard Hawks
-
Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei Lee -
Tommy Noonan as Gus Esmond -
Jane Russell as Dorothy Shaw - Elliott Reid as Ernie Malone
Also Starring in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
· 147 more- June Glory Nightclub Patron in France (uncredited)
- Taylor Holmes Mr. Esmond Sr.
- Chuck Hicks Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- John Close Olympic Team Coach (uncredited)
- Charles Coburn Sir Francis Beekman
- Norma Varden Lady Beekman
- Roger Moore Chauffeur (uncredited)
- George Davis Pierre, Cab Driver (uncredited)
- Marcel Dalio Magistrate
- Harry Carey Jr. Winslow, Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- Steven Geray Hotel Manager
- Bess Flowers Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- George Chakiris Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Sam Harris Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Bill Hickman Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- William H. O'Brien Ship Passenger (uncredited)
Show all 151 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Harold Miller Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Stuart Holmes Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Carl M. Leviness Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Jack Chefe Proprietor (uncredited)
- Colin Kenny Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- Frank McLure Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Arthur Tovey Stagehand (uncredited)
- Dick Wessel Chez Louis Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Herschel Graham Hotel Guest (uncredited)
- George Ford Courtroom Officer (uncredited)
- Suzanne Ridgway Spectator at Cafe (uncredited)
- Paul Bradley Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- Rolfe Sedan Waiter (uncredited)
- Alphonse Martell Headwaiter (uncredited)
- Monty O'Grady Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Harry Seymour Louie, Captain of Waiters (uncredited)
- Ralph Peters Passport Official (uncredited)
- James Gonzalez Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Steve Carruthers Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Charles Tannen Ed, Malone's Contact (uncredited)
- Joe Gilbert Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Robert Foulk Passport Official (uncredited)
- Bernard Sell Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- Jean Del Val Ship's Captain (uncredited)
- Joe Ploski Spectator at Café (uncredited)
- Jean De Briac Gendarme (uncredited)
- Fred Rapport Commuter at Airport (uncredited)
- Kenneth Gibson Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Raoul Freeman Hotel Doorman (uncredited)
- Ray Montgomery Peters, Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- Alvy Moore Winston, Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- Spencer Chan Commuter at Airport (uncredited)
- Ray Spiker Crewman (uncredited)
- Julie Newmar Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- Noel Neill Passenger (uncredited)
- Paul Cristo Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Adolph Faylauer Man at Airport (uncredited)
- Robert Nichols Evans (uncredited)
- Richard LaMarr Porter (uncredited)
- John Alban Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Robert Locke Lorraine Commuter at Airport (uncredited)
- Eumenio Blanco Officer (uncredited)
- Ron Nyman Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- James Young Stevens, Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- Albert Cavens Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- George Hoagland Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Robert Fuller Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Mary Bayless Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Paul Russell Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- King Mojave Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- Loretta Russell Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Russell Meeker Steward (uncredited)
- José Portugal Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Howard Wendell Watson
- Dan Dowling Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Roy Damron Sailor (uncredited)
- Henri Letondal Grotier (uncredited)
- Tex Brodus Ship's Officer (uncredited)
- Steve Reeves Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- Kay Garrett Mr. Brooks (uncredited)
- Foster H. Phinney Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Ed Fury Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- Harry Evans Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Robert Cole Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Joe Evans Waiter (uncredited)
- Beulah Christian Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- John Pedrini Bartender (uncredited)
- Leo Mostovoy Phillipe (uncredited)
- Matt Mattox Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- John Marlin Waiter (uncredited)
- George Winslow Henry Spofford III
- Bert May Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Frank Radcliffe Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Marc Wilder Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Max Willenz Court Clerk (uncredited)
- Alex Frazer Pritchard (uncredited)
- Josette Deegan French Stewardess (uncredited)
- Gordon Armitage Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- John Hedloe Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- Peter Camlin Gendarme (uncredited)
- David Ahdar Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- Barry Regan Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Warren Mace Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Bobby Diamond Small Role (uncredited)
- Hamil Petroff Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Alex Akimoff Captain of Waiters (uncredited)
- Joel Friend Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Aladdin Musician (uncredited)
- Blaine Turner Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- Herman Boden Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Drusilla Davis Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- Tommy Ladd Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Jack Boyle Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Jack Regas Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Harry Baum Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Jack Dodds Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- William Cabanne Sims (uncredited)
- F. Philip Sylvestre Stewart (uncredited)
- Norman Stevens Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Larry Kert Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Judy Landon Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- Ellen Ray Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- Tyra Vaughn Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- Fred Moultrie Boy Dancer (uncredited)
- James H. Russell Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- Mary Ellen Batten Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- James Moultrie Boy Dancer (uncredited)
- Buzz Miller Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Casse Jaeger Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Dorothy Kellogg Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Kip Behar Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- Gayle Pace Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
- Bennett Green Waiter (uncredited)
- Virginia Bates Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- Herb Lurie Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Stanley Hall Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Robert Street Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Leo Wheeler Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Joan Collenette Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- Deena Dikkers Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- Joan Larkin Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- Shirley Lopez Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- Donald Moray Airport Porter (uncredited)
- Alfred Patix Pierre (uncredited)
- Stephen Papich French Waiter (uncredited)
- Peggy Smith Ship Passenger (uncredited)
- Buddy Spencer Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Roberta Stevenson Chorus Girl (uncredited)
- Lee Theodore Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- Ray Weamer Chorus Boy (uncredited)
- John Weidemann Olympic Team Member (uncredited)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Plot Summary
What happens in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Lorelei Lee, [Marilyn Monroe], and Dorothy Shaw, [Jane Russell], are American showgirls and companions, though they could not be more different in what they value in men. Lorelei is drawn to status and the sparkle of diamonds, dreaming of a fiancé who can fund her extravagant lifestyle, especially Gus Esmond Jr. [Tommy Noonan], while Dorothy cares about looks and vigor, and places little stock in wealth.
Full summary
The whole story of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, scene by scene
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Box Office
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes grossed $25,007 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$25K
- International
- $17.5K
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Robert Weide on GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES
How Well Do You Know Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which actress plays the character Lorelei Lee?
Cars in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
3 cars on screen, including the 1936 Peugeot 402 L Taxi and the 1949 Ford Vedette.
-
1936 Peugeot 402 L Taxi Important role -
1949 Ford Vedette Background role -
Unknown Satec Background role
Seen Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?
Movies Like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Gentlemen Marry Brunettes and My Favorite Blonde.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).
When was Gentlemen Prefer Blondes released?
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was released on July 1, 1953.
Who directed Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was directed by Howard Hawks.
More films by Howard Hawks Who is in the cast of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes?
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes stars Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei Lee, Tommy Noonan as Gus Esmond and Jane Russell as Dorothy Shaw, among 151 credited actors.
How much did Gentlemen Prefer Blondes make at the box office?
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes grossed $25,007 worldwide.
Does Gentlemen Prefer Blondes have a post-credit scene?
No. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
