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MARILYN MONROE SIZZLES IN THIS COMEDY -
Despite its goofy opening scene about Manhattan Indians sending their wives away for the summer, The Seven Year Itch (1955) is a delightful comedy about husbands sending their families away and then encountering loneliness, boredom or finding ways to deal with it. Marilyn Monroe sizzles in her role and becomes known worldwide for the scene where her skirt blows up over the subway grate. Tom Ewell excels at hauling in the laughs as a happily married man with itch he wants to scratch.
Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell), the key man in a Manhattan publishing firm, has seen his family off for summer vacation, just like all the wives in his peer group. At first Richard holds on to the, "not me," club, which includes no smoking, no drinking and by all means no looking at other women.
When, The Girl (Marilyn Monroe), his new neighbor up stairs, drops a plant on his balcony, Richard thinks he should make her feel at home and invite her in for a drink. Then he reminds himself he's been married seven years and never strayed. With his silly wistful straight face, Richard dreams about how all the women (his co-workers) come on to him. After an imaginary conversation with his wife, Helen (Evelyn Keyes), The Girl shows up and Richard invites her in for that drink.
She's ecstatic to get cooled off in his air-conditioned apartment and grabs a bottle of champagne. When he finally admits he's married, she's glad, as she feels safer. When they start playing the piano together, he makes a pass and tries to kiss her. Feeling guilty, he quickly sends her home. Day after day Richard's over active imagination thinks everyone knows what he tired to do to The Girl, including his wife.
When Richard imagines his wife is having an affair, he calls The Girl up and invites her to dinner and a movie. Monroe looks absolutely voluptuous as she and Richard leave the theater to walk home. That's when she steps over the subway grate in her forever famous scene. "Isn't it delicious," she says as her shirt blows up. Back at his apartment, The Girl asks if she can spend the night in Richards air conditioned apartment. Things escalate into more amusing scenarios.
It has been said that Monroe was sexier in The Seven Year Itch than any other movie she made. Her beauty captures every scene but she's also naturally funny. Ewell shines in his comedic abilities and won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actor - Musical/Comedy. Walter Matthau actually tested for the role, and Wilder wanted him, but Fox said no on the new actor. Billy Wilder's direction of the film, based on George Axelrod's play, is superb.
The Seven Year Itch is a must see for any Marilyn Monroe fan.
Director: Billy Wilder
Writers: George Axelrod (play), Billy Wilder
Cast Members: Marilyn Monroe, Tom Ewell, Sonny Tufts, Robert Strauss, Marguerite Chapman
Rating: Unrated - probably best for PG-13 and over
Run Time: 104 minutes
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment - Cinema Classic Collection
Format: Color
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