When she made Ladies of the Chorus, Marilyn Monroe was a fresh new face in Hollywood still a few years away from megastardom. Monroe gives a solid self-assured performance without the breathy sexpot affectations that eventually became her signature style. The only film she ever made with Columbia Pictures, Ladies of the Chorus marked the first time Monroe sang and danced in a film, performing the enjoyable numbers "Anyone Can Tell I Love You" and "Every Baby Needs a Da Da Daddy."
Ladies of the Chorus was a low budget feature that was shot in less than two weeks. Monroe was thrilled with the opportunity of her first leading role and worked diligently on her part with Columbia acting coach Natasha Lytess. According to Monroe biographer Donald Spoto, Monroe and co-star Adele Jergens bonded quickly. Jergens, only 31 years old at the time, was hardly old enough to play Monroe's mother. She recalled, "(Monroe) told me very tearfully she had lost her mother, and that, just like the chorus girls of the story, she knew what social ostracism was like. Marilyn was the sort of girl you instinctively wanted to protect, even though she obviously had brains and probably didn't need much protection."
Monroe's hard work paid off as her charming performance earned the attention of critics for the first time. "Miss Monroe presents a nice personality," said Variety, being one of the first publications to ever single her out. The Motion Picture Herald said, "One of the bright spots is Miss Monroe's singing. She is pretty and with her pleasing voice and style, she shows promise."
Apparently Columbia didn't see the same promise in Monroe. Soon after the release of Ladies of the Chorus her contract was dropped and she never made another film at that studio. Still, Marilyn Monroe had made her mark and it wouldn't be long before the whole world embraced her as a star.
Producer: Harry A. Romm
Director: Phil Karlson
Screenplay: Joseph Carole; Harry Sauber (screenplay and story)
Cinematography: Frank Redman
Art Direction: Robert Peterson
Music: Mischa Bakaleinikoff
Film Editing: Richard Fantl
Cast: Adele Jergens (Mae Martin), Marilyn Monroe (Peggy Martin), Rand Brooks (Randy Carroll), Nana Bryant (Mrs. Adele Carroll), Eddie Garr (Bill Mackay, Mae's suitor aka Uncle Billy), Steven Geray (Salisbury, Carroll's Butler), The Bobby True Trio (Trio Musicians)
BW-60m.
by Andrea Passafiume
