How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

dir Jean Negulesco

Originally watched on July 13, 2026.

Can I admit something kind of silly? This is the first Marilyn Monroe film I’ve actually sat down and watched. I’ve joined in while my dad watched something, seen clips online, and of course heard the references in just about everything out there, but I’ve never actively sought it out until now.

Okay, now let me say something that makes me look even more uncultured. I chose How To Marry a Millionaire after watching Under the Silver Lake (yeah, yeah, I know) where Riley Keough’s character is totally obsessed with the film. It’s not a huge plot point, but there’s a scene where she makes Andrew Garfield’s character watch it on her dinky little tv, and in the background you can see that she also has the movie poster on her wall and three Barbie dolls dressed as the lead characters in her room. The whole point of Under the Silver Lake is the hidden messages so of course I needed to see what the fuss was all about, but to be honest, I kinda forgot the assignment. I didn’t think too deep into the connection so if you were here for that, goodbye! Toodles!

But I thought this was a really fun watch! My problem with older movies is unfortunately always the same: I find the men boring, ugly, forgettable, unlikable, unappealing, unfunny, offensive, blah blah blah! What else can I say to be a total manhater? Because I’ll say it, damn it! This one is great though because even if the whole plot centers around finding a (boring, ugly, forgettable, unlikable, unappealing, unfunny, offensive, blah) man, you get to watch three amazing performances by some stellar ladies. Marilyn, of course, Lauren Bacall, and Betty Grable. Thank you ladies for really driving it home.

I hope it’s not disrespectful to say (heaven knows she’s heard enough of it), but this is the foxiest Marilyn Monroe has ever looked. I absolutely adore her in glasses.

Mama!