Marilyn Monroe was still stunningly beautiful when she started filming her last movie. According to the latest data, Fox had fired her when she showed up for only thirteen days of actual shooting--but Zanuck later changed his mind and she was rehired a couple of weeks later and the film was to go back into production again with perhaps a new director.
As we all know, Marilyn's despair led to an unfortunate mix of drugs and alcohol--at least that's what led to her death being termed a "probable suicide". But now edited footage has been put together to show what the unfinished film might have looked like if it had actually been released.
From the look of things, it would appear that the script was not exactly what one could call witty. It seemed more like a tired remake of "My Favorite Wife". Marilyn's few remaining scenes make it hard to determine what the entire performance would have been--but she appears just slightly off-kilter, whether warmly embracing the kids at poolside or sharing scenes with Dean Martin and Wally Cox. There is a self-conscious flavor to the nude pool scene with Monroe swimming in the buff while Dean Martin cautions her to leave. This follows a scene in which Phil Silvers has a few amusing moments with Martin, as an insurance salesman and then does a double take when he spies Monroe in the pool.
The one who really emerges from the unfinished film looking good is Cyd Charisse, who shows a fine flair for comedy and gives what appears to be a polished performance as "the other woman". She looks trim and attractive and it might have been a good comic role for her.
Dean Martin looks as though he's perplexed by Marilyn's behavior and she handles her dialog in rather a halting fashion--looks as if she couldn't be pushed to do a better take. There's an almost vacant look in her eyes--and it's not because she's playing dumb.
The end result is a mixed feeling of sadness and yet appreciation for being able to see Marilyn while she was still at the top of her appeal. Apparently, the film was just a thin piece of fluff. There is no indication whatsoever that it would have turned out to be anything more than a routine romantic comedy with screwball overtones. She does manage to suggest an impish amount of charm with her unforced laughter.
Judging from the results of the later remake ("Move Over, Darling") with Doris Day and James Garner, they should have left this story alone. Dunne and Grant had it right the first time.
It strikes me that this is the sort of film she wanted to get away from when she fled Hollywood for the Actor's Studio in New York.
As we all know, Marilyn's despair led to an unfortunate mix of drugs and alcohol--at least that's what led to her death being termed a "probable suicide". But now edited footage has been put together to show what the unfinished film might have looked like if it had actually been released.
From the look of things, it would appear that the script was not exactly what one could call witty. It seemed more like a tired remake of "My Favorite Wife". Marilyn's few remaining scenes make it hard to determine what the entire performance would have been--but she appears just slightly off-kilter, whether warmly embracing the kids at poolside or sharing scenes with Dean Martin and Wally Cox. There is a self-conscious flavor to the nude pool scene with Monroe swimming in the buff while Dean Martin cautions her to leave. This follows a scene in which Phil Silvers has a few amusing moments with Martin, as an insurance salesman and then does a double take when he spies Monroe in the pool.
The one who really emerges from the unfinished film looking good is Cyd Charisse, who shows a fine flair for comedy and gives what appears to be a polished performance as "the other woman". She looks trim and attractive and it might have been a good comic role for her.
Dean Martin looks as though he's perplexed by Marilyn's behavior and she handles her dialog in rather a halting fashion--looks as if she couldn't be pushed to do a better take. There's an almost vacant look in her eyes--and it's not because she's playing dumb.
The end result is a mixed feeling of sadness and yet appreciation for being able to see Marilyn while she was still at the top of her appeal. Apparently, the film was just a thin piece of fluff. There is no indication whatsoever that it would have turned out to be anything more than a routine romantic comedy with screwball overtones. She does manage to suggest an impish amount of charm with her unforced laughter.
Judging from the results of the later remake ("Move Over, Darling") with Doris Day and James Garner, they should have left this story alone. Dunne and Grant had it right the first time.
It strikes me that this is the sort of film she wanted to get away from when she fled Hollywood for the Actor's Studio in New York.