Twentieth Century Fox films “Niagara,” “How to Marry a Millionaire” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” – three films that highlight the star power of Marilyn Monroe – are each enjoying its 65th anniversary in 2018. To celebrate, we’ll take a look back at the films with memories of the Los Angeles and New York premieres, posters, and wardrobe illustrations.
“Niagara”
“Niagara” was the first time Marilyn Monroe received top billing. The film was a box office hit and her subsequent films in 1953, “How to Marry a Millionaire” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” went on to even greater success. “Niagara” was one of the last movies filmed in Technicolor just before the studio began converting to Cinemascope.
Marilyn Monroe’s first top billing on the original “Niagara” poster
“How to Marry a Millionaire”
“How to Marry a Millionaire” features Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall. It was one of 20th Century Fox’s first productions to be filmed in CinemaScope.
“How to Marry a Millionaire” scene still
Fans lined up at the premiere outside of the Fox Wilshire Theatre (now the Saban Theatre) in Beverly Hills
The New York premiere drew large crowds of fans and photographers
“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”
“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” with its brilliantly choreographed “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” created the now iconic image many associate with Monroe – the pink strapless gown dripping with diamonds. This image has inspired countless tributes and copies of the famous number.
“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” costume sketches for Marilyn Monroe, including the now iconic pink dress, designed by William Travilla
Quintessential Marilyn Monroe
The Fox Archives is mandated to collect, catalog, preserve and make accessible the following assets of the 20th Century Fox studios: props, set decoration, photographs, art department and publicity materials from our film and television productions, and from the 20th Century Fox studio itself. We work primarily with internal Fox groups but also from time to time with outside organizations such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.
