BEING MARILYN MONROE (3): Music, by Alan Ewing

BEING MARILYN MONROE

Music

The music of Marilyn Monroe ties in to her films. Here the aim is to highlight a few of these numbers to highlight her finesse at both singing and musical presence. Although not a musical artist who released records as such, her musical numbers have become readily identifiable with her career ...

“I Wanna Be Loved By You”: So readily identifiable, it has become symbolic of Marilyn's singing. In the role of Sugar Kane, she remains in character, with the sadness of Sugar’s life evident in the song. The magnetism of the performance is second to none. The comic antics of Jack Lemmon and Toby Curtis being a condiment: the centre of attention is never in doubt.

“I’m Gonna File My Case”: Marilyn plays western saloon singer Kay Weston in "River Of No Return" (1954)  The musical number here a play on file a claim for gold, in which it is turned into filing a claim for a man.  The number revolves around Marilyn in a room full of men commanding the bar room. Her domination of the piano area and her ability to play off the men is completely in character with the part. 

“Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend”: From the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953) with Marilyn playing the part of Lorelei Lee.  For choreography then this number takes the highest height. Opening with the ballroom prelude, it then notes opera before launching into a full-blown exposition of jazz.  Again Marilyn is startling in her dress.  Again, she is able to have men surrounding her and be the focus of attention.

“My Heart Belongs To Daddy”: Choregraphy to the fore again. Marilyn wears a purple jumper, and shows, as she did many years before, that she would look good in a potato sack.  Sliding down the pole, she is the number 1 theatrical sex symbol of all time.  From "Let's Make Love (1960) with MM playing the part of Amanda Dell.

“I’m Through With Love”: Back to Sugar Kane in "Some Like It Hot" (  Again, the tragedy of a beautiful woman in need of love is played out within a comedy context. It is proof of Monroe's brilliance that she carries this off while within the comedy writing.

Alan Ewing, Cert HE, BA (Hons), MSc