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Created Mar 30, 2012 02:33PM PST • Edited Apr 01, 2012 02:18PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   OK 2.5

   A sparkling Marilyn Monroe and one terrific song don’t fully rescue this Howard Hawks musical-comedy from the dregs of cheesiness. The song? Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend, a theatrically produced Song and Dance number performed by the inimitable MM in an iconic pink dress.

   The rest of the songs? Forgettable at best.

   The cast? Stunning at the top, with a charmingly tough Jane Russell serving as Marilyn’s wingman. Beyond them? Forgettable character actors.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

   Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are delectable and delightful.

   The rest of the cast, not so much.

5. Male Stars OK 2.5

6. Female Stars Really Great 4.5

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars Barely OK 2.0

10. Film

    OK 2.5

    The great Howard Hawks did what he could with a second rate musical transferred to the big screen.

    About Marilyn’s pink dress: Madonna and a host of imitators continue to flatter it.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Bad 1.0

13. Music Good 3.0

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.4

17. Sex Titillating 1.6

18. Violence Gentle 1.0

19. Rudeness Salty 1.7

21. Reality

    Glib 1.2

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.7

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0