1951 film by Richard Sale
Let's Make It Legal
is a 1951 American
comedy film
made by
20th Century-Fox
, directed by
Richard Sale
and produced by
Robert Bassler
from a
screenplay
by
I.A.L. Diamond
and
F. Hugh Herbert
, based on a story by Mortimer Braus entitled "My Mother-in-Law, Miriam". The music was by
Cyril J. Mockridge
and the cinematography by
Lucien Ballard
.
The film stars
Claudette Colbert
,
Macdonald Carey
,
Zachary Scott
,
Barbara Bates
and
Marilyn Monroe
.
Plot
[
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]
Hugh (
Macdonald Carey
) and Miriam Halsworth (
Claudette Colbert
) are in the final stages of their divorce procedure. Miriam wants to separate because he's addicted to gambling - although he often wins. She's living with her daughter Barbara (
Barbara Bates
), her son-in-law Jerry Denham (
Robert Wagner
) and her little grandchild. Hugh is living at the hotel where he works.
Hugh is also Jerry's boss. They work in the publicity department for the Miramar Hotel and have to follow Victor Macfarland (
Zachary Scott
), a self-made millionaire who's trying to get on the financial advisory committee for the President. Twenty years ago Hugh and Victor were rivals for Miriam's hand.
A blonde fortune hunter, Joyce Mannering (
Marilyn Monroe
), is trying to attract Victor, but he's only interested in winning back Miriam. Miriam accepts Victor's marriage proposal, but is disappointed when Victor postpones the marriage for a hearing on his appointment in
Washington
. Just before he steps on the plane he explains to Miriam why he left her twenty years ago (but the audience can't hear what he says because the plane makes too much noise).
Miriam is furious with Hugh but he doesn't know why. She refuses to let him in, which leads to a comical intermezzo in which Hugh and Jerry are arrested by the police. They are identified by Miriam and Barbara, and leave the police station.
Back home Miriam explains to Hugh that she was so angry because Victor told her that twenty years ago Hugh won her hand in a game of
craps
. Hugh admits this, and still has those two dice with him. He asks her to throw. It turns out the
dice
were loaded; they always throw three and four. Hugh admits he cheated because the stake was so high. Miriam is pleased with this explanation and they reconcile.
Cast
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Critical response
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The
New York Daily Mirror
said of the film:
- "
Claudette Colbert
is a capable farceur, but she cannot make
Let's Make It Legal
as merry as it was hoped. While she is on the Roxy screen the comedy skips along, but when her co-stars take over the plot labors. ... It suffers from a weak script and incredible characterizations by
Macdonald Carey
and
Zachary Scott
...
Marilyn Monroe
parades her shapely chassis for incidental excitement. ...
Let's Make It Legal
is a valiant effort by Claudette Colbert, who cannot overcome the handicaps."
The
New York Daily News
stated:
- "The Roxy's
Let's Make It Legal
is an inconsistent farce that luckily has sufficient saving graces, the predominating benefit being performances by the popular and comedy-wise co-stars,
Claudette Colbert
and
Macdonald Carey
. Their presences and a satisfactory amount of bright dialogue counteract strained farcial situations and indifferent story...
Marilyn Monroe
is amusing in a brief role as a beautiful shapely blonde who has her eye on
Zachary Scott
and his millions."
References
[
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]
- ^
Aubrey Solomon,
Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History
, Scarecrow Press, 1989 p224
External links
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]