MovieChat Forums > There's No Business Like Show Business (1955) Discussion > MM'S WORST FILM

MM'S WORST FILM

posted 15 years ago by snsurone
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While I haven't seen all of Marilyn Monroe's films (I'd love to see LADIES OF THE CHORUS), I'd have to say that this film contained her worst performance (LET'S MAKE LOVE is a very close second).
While the whole screenplay was pretty silly, still, Marilyn came off very badly compared to such heavyweights as Ethel Merman, Dan Dailey, Donald O'Connor, and even Johnnie Ray and Mitzi Gaynor.
Apparently, someone failed to tell her that purring and undulating is no substitute for singing and dancing. Her ineptness in the "Heat Wave" and "Lazy" numbers is cringe-inducing!
In this movie, Marilyn had only her good looks to sustain her.

[–] dfw364-1 12 years ago

I've been a Marilyn fan for over forty years and love her. You have to divide her career into two sections: the sex kitten, older Marilyn films (1948-1954) to the Actor's Studio/Arthur Miller influenced later films (1955-1962). Her worst had to be, without equivocation, River of No Return. Her best, for me at least, was The Misfits. I also loved some of the early vehicles before she really erupted into superstardom, like Monkey Business (she had great chemistry with Cary Grant).

[–] Veltaine 12 years ago

As far as I can see, Marilyn is the only reason to watch this film.
She stole every scene just by being there. The film itself, in my opinion, was an overly long and insignificant affair.
And as for her actual performance, she doesn't put a foot wrong. There isn't really much to work with.

"My car is outside."
"Naturally."

[–] shadycady 11 years ago

I think she was fine in this film. She is a good dancer and singer too. I happen to love River of No Return, and I think her singing is fantastic in it. Those were her best songs which showcased her voice. Her worst rim, in my opinion, is "Let's Make Love". I agree with Harlow in most of her opinions.

The Divine Genealogy Goddess

[–] denis-38 11 years ago

I love her looks in "River"--just at her absolute peak. And the songs and her voice were terrif. (She was really working on her singing at that time, and it's a pity after she left FOX, she didn't continue.)

But as a film, "River" is not bad, a typical Western that all stars under contract had to do. Her performance is stiff and that's the real problem.

Material-wise, "Let's Make Love" is her worst. There is NO character for her to play. And Cukor photographs her badly. (She was not in good shape at that point, but there's no excuse for some of those shots. The very worst close-up of her career appears in "LML") However, with the little bit she is required to do in "LML" she is charming and natural and appealing. I like that performance very much. But it's a dog, and shocking that this is what FOX chose for her after "Some Like It Hot."

As for "No Business" I've always found it very entertaining. It is what is--corny to the max. MM seems out of place because she's SO blatant and overdone. But, that's very entertaining as well.

[–] dollvalley 10 years ago

Agree with lots of what denis said.
My favorites are definitely Bus Stop, Don't Bother To Knock and yes, even River Of No Return.
I also like Let's Make Love a lot, but agree the film itself is not so good., If MM wasn't in it I'd never watch it.

Her acting in this film is unusual, but I think it may be her part demanded it that way, because she didn't act this way in any other movie, before or after.
She hated having to do it, but I don't know if she would have risked sabotaging her career by delivering a careless performance just because she hated the movie. It doesn't look that way.

I will come out and say, that while I am a super MM fan, she might have been the only reason I watched this movie decades ago, but she kinda is not the reason I keep on watching it, because it's like she was pasted into the movie, which is actually how her part came to be.

[–] prplayer 8 years ago

agreed, and i've seen quite a few of her films

so many movies, so little time