Book Vs Movie
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
The Anita Loos 1925 novel Vs the 1953 Howard Hawkes classic film
The Margos are heading back to the 50s (well, really the 20s if you want to be technical about it!) Gentleman Prefer Blondes was first published in 1925 by Anita Loos in Harper’s Bazaar magazine as a serial. The book itself was so popular at the time that Edith Wharton dubbed it “the Great American Novel” considering it came out the same year as Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby--that is incredible praise.
The story itself is a simple tale about a “professional lady” making her way in the world trying to nab a wealthy suitor. Lorelei Lee is a blonde flapper from Little Rock, Arkansas and men can’t help but so attracted to her she winds up getting whatever she wished for in life.
Dorothy Shaw is Lorelei’s best friend and has her own romantic struggles (one of them being a brunette which makes her work harder to get men to pay attention to her.)
The movie was directed by Howard Hawkes and stars Jane Russell as Dorothy and Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei. It was a huge hit in 1953 and the stars got along famously. It’s considered a classic musical and pre-feminist statement.
Between the novella and Howard Hawkes film--which did the Margos like better? (Is it even going to be close?)
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- The life of Anita Loos
- The setting of the book and why the 1920s was known as the flapper era
- Major changes between the novel and the 1953 film
- The cast which includes: Marilyn Monroe (Lorelei Lee,) Jane Russell (Dorothy Shaw,) Charles Coburn (Sir Francis “Piggy” Beekman,) Elliott Reid (Ernie Malone,) Tommy Noonan (Gus Esmond Jr,) and George Winslow (Henry Spofford)
Clips Featured:
- Lorelei is accused of stealing in Paris
- Gentleman Prefer Blondes trailer
- Lorelei and Dorothy meet Henry Spofford
- Lady Beekman (Norma Varden) shows Lorelei her tiara
- Outro music: “Is There Anyone Here for Love” Jane Russell
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Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com
Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/
Book Vs Movie
Saturday Night Fever
Based on a short story in New York magazine, the 1977 movie is dissected in this special episode
The Margos are suffering from a case of “Night Fever” and the only sure is taking a deep dive into one of the most successful films of the 1970s--Saturday Night Fever. The film was directed by John Badham and stars John Travolta in his first Academy-Award nominated performance as an actor.
The idea for the film comes from an article from New York magazine in 1976 “Tribal Rights of the New Saturday Night” by reporter Nik Cohn. At the time, Cohn said it was based on a real group of people from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. In fact, it turns out he pretty much made up the whole thing. The story of “Vincent” a teenage dance phenom who is just trying to earn and living and forget about living in a working-class neighborhood caught the eyes of Hollywood and a screenplay was created as a starring vehicle for Travolta who was seen by millions every week on the ABC-TV hit sitcom Welcome Back Kotter.
Badham inherited the movie two weeks filming was supposed to start without film locations set and without the role of Stephanie filled. We have so much behind the scenes gossip and trivia here to talk about in addition to the fabulous soundtrack! (The Bee Gees at their finest!)
Between the article and film--which did the Margos like better? (Is it even going to be close?)
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- How Nik Cohn came to writing the article for New York magazine
- How the film overcame so many obstacles to become a classic
- How the dancing was received
- The incredible music!
- The cast which includes: John Travolta (Tony Monero,) Karen Lynn Gorney (Stephanie,) Barry Miller (Bobby C.,) Joseph Cali (Joey,) Paul Pape (Double J,) Donna Pescow (Annette,) Martin Skakar (Frank Jr.,) and Fran Drescher (Connie.)
Clips Featured:
- Saturday Night Fever trailer
- Tony and his family “You Hit My Hair’
- Tony’s brother leaves the priesthood
- Fran Drescher’s film debut
- Tony and Connie on the dance floor
- Outro music: “You Should Be Dancing” The Bee Gees (from the movie scene)
Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie
Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/
Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com
Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com
Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R
Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com
Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/