Saturday, August 25, 2018

The Seven Year Itch (1955): Marilyn Monroe


     Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate with her dress being blown up is, perhaps, one of the most iconic moments in all of Pop Culture (It is also rumored to be one of the catalysts that put an end to her marriage with Joe DiMaggio).  The Seven Year Itch (1955), directed by Billy Wilder, is one of Marilyn's greatest showcases to display the character she had perfected. It's full of classic moments, though it is adapted from a play and reflects the staginess of it at times. Marilyn's beauty, sex appeal and bubbly charm radiates in the DeLuxe color and cinemascope presentation. Every moment she spends on screen gives the viewer the sense of experiencing something truly special. 
     Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell) has just sent his wife and son off to Maine for the summer, while he stays behind in New York to work and enjoy the "bachelor life". His upstairs neighbors have gone to Europe for the summer and have sublet their apartment to a young lady (Marilyn Monroe)... 

The Seven Year Itch. 1955: Marilyn Monroe

     Richard immediately finds himself smitten with her beauty... 

The Seven Year Itch. 1955: Marilyn Monroe

     and awkwardly tempted... 

The Seven Year Itch. 1955: Marilyn Monroe

     Nevertheless, he can't get enough of her fun, carefree ways...

The Seven Year Itch. 1955: Marilyn Monroe

      Richard finds himself fantasizing about certain romantic scenarios, but mainly confines his actions to his imagination. He is enjoying his time with her... 

The Seven Year Itch. 1955: Marilyn Monroe

     But what would happen should his wife find out?

The Seven Year Itch. 1955: Marilyn Monroe

The Seven Year Itch. 1955: Marilyn Monroe