Take a break with Marilyn

One of my latest acquisitions (via DVR), is the 1953 movie "Niagara" starring Joseph Cotten and Marilyn Monroe. A film noir in beautiful color. Wow, does this movie sparkle! And not just because of Marilyn, she has some competition in the beautiful landscape and intriguing shot set ups. It involves the weekend two couple's lives intersect at honeymoon cabins at Niagara Falls-the Canada side!

The plot is pretty simple, but the acting and directing are top notch. Although there is the stick-out-like-a-sore-thumb acting of Max Showalter, as the extremely dumb husband of a honeymooning couple. He's always asking silly questions and overlooking the obvious. But it does make his wife, played by Jean Peters, look even more intelligent and she is the one who figures it all out anyway. (Although you do wonder why such a smart cookie married such a dolt.)

This is one of my favorite Monroe movies because she's downright mean and treacherous and she doesn't use her baby voice all the time. I also love Joseph Cotten playing a husband who doesn't quite know how to handle the life he has with this tantalizing, but slippery creature. Watch Joseph Cotten break a record with his bare hands! Ouch! He does much worse later...

Favorite quotes from this scene:

"For a dress like that you gotta start laying plans when your about 13." Smart Cookie Jean

"You kinda like that song, dontcha Mrs. Lewis?" Dufus Husband

"There isn’t any other song." Unbelievably Sultry Marilyn

"You’re husband doesn’t seem to like music." Dufus Husband again!

Fun Fact: Just figured out why Max Showalter (dumb husband) seems so darn familiar! He plays Grandpa Fred in Sixteen Candles! "Why if it isn't Sammy Baker Davis, Jr!"