Before “The Seven Year Itch” was released in 1955 and became the iconic Monroe comedy classic we all now know and love, it first came to life on Broadway with none other than Tom Ewell in the male leading role.
Here Tom Ewell is photographed with Vanessa Brown the original actress to play “The Girl” in “Itch.”
“The Seven Year Itch” opened on Broadway at the Fulton Theater on November 20, 1952 and ran for 1,141 performances closing in August of 1955, two months after the June premiere of the Monroe movie.
The Seven Year Itch Broadwat production at the Fulton Theatre , New York , USA , 20 November 1952 13 August 1955 . Written by George Axelrod . Directed by John Gerstad . Shown from left : Tom Ewell , Vanessa Brown .
This is by NO means a comparison between the two leading ladies, there is no doubt that Vanessa gave an incredible performance, It’s just fun to see the similarites and differences between the two.
Today we are wishing a true living Hollywood legend, Mitzi Gaynor a very happy 90th birthday!
Gaynor is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Her most Notable films include “There’s No Business Like Show Business” (1954) and “South Pacific”, the 1958 motion picture adaptation of the stage musical by Rodgers and Hammerstien.
Of course fans of Marilyn’s earlier screen roles will also know that both Monroe and Gaynor co-starred in “We’re Not Married,” though neither had any scenes together.
Of her time on “There’s No Business Like Show Business” She was once quoted as saying:
“I played Ethel Merman’s daughter in that picture and we became best friends …Marilyn Monroe played a hat-check girl in the picture, but she wasn’t around all the time. She was busy creating Marilyn Monroe. If you see that picture now, though, and really pay attention to it, you realize that Marilyn steals the whole damn picture.”
Wishing Gene Kelly a happy, heavely birthday.
Gene Kelly was an American actor, dancer, singer, filmmaker, choreographer….. and all round Hollywood screen legend.
He had a brief cameo in the 1960 film “Let’s Make Love” starring Marilyn and Yves Montand. Kelly was one of 3 celebrity appearances in the film, alongside Bing Crosby and Milton Berle which make up some of the funnier moments of the film.
Recently, Gene’s widow Patricia Ward Kelly had this to say:
“Often, I read accounts about Gene that simply don’t fit. I don’t recognize the man they describe, particularly when they refer to someone who is selfish or mean. Gene was neither. My intent is not to put him on a pedestal. Quite the opposite, in fact. I want you to see him as he was—a man who had foibles just like the rest of us but who was also one of the most gifted and innovative creative artists of the 20th century. I have mentioned before that Gene taught many people to dance. Here’s another example: his friend Yves Montand in this cameo appearance in the 1960 film Let’s Make Love, Produced by Jerry Wald, directed by George Cukor, and starring Yves Montand and Marilyn Monroe. Gene was in the middle of choreographing his Ballet Pas de Dieux at the Paris Opera, but, as he said, “I had promised Jerry Wald that I would do this cameo. I got on Scandinavian Air. I went from Paris to Copenhagen and over the Pole; landed here; did the thing: and flew back the next day. I got the minimum. It was then a hundred and twenty-five dollars. I came in and showed Montand a dance step, kissed George Cukor and Marilyn, said ‘good bye’ and left. I gave my word A promise is a promise, and it wasn’t for Yves or Marilyn. It was for Jerry Wald.” To me, this illustrates and important aspect of who Gene was.”
Gene Kelly died February 2nd 1996 and was cremated at Westwood Cemetery, where Marilyn is interred.
The National Film Registry is part of the Library of Congress and ensures the conservation and survival of culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films. This is increasingly important in order to preserve film negatives and physical copies of films for future generations.
Every year the board decides on 25 films to be added to the registry. As of 2021, Some Like It Hot is the only Marilyn movie on the registry. While you can nominate up to 50 films every year, I would recommend focusing on two Marilyn films already being suggested in the registry’s official “Not Yet Added” list:
Seven Year Itch, The / Year column : 1955
Misfits, The / Year column : 1961
(please follow this title format when submitting)
Your vote can make a real difference. Films that receive the most support each year are given special consideration by members of the National Film Preservation Board.
All you need is an email address. You do not need to complete the two questions but it never hurts to show some passion:
