Let's Make Love (1960)

Just so...so bad

Don't listen to the negative reviews

An Exercise In Nonsense

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

I first thought this was a nice movie, but the more I think about it, aside from the good songs, it is a stupid story. Full of plot holes: The billionaire could have purchased the show and deleted his part without ever going near the theater.And even in 1960, could a billionaire be totally unrecognized in New York City? At the end, the billionaire is trying to prove to singer Amanda who he was. And takes about 15 minutes to do it. An Elvis movie a few years later was in a similar situation and he did it in 10 seconds. Just pull out some identification: driver's license, passport.Error: In 1960, interest on the interest of a billion dollars would be $30,000 per week.And wastes too much time with cameo's from Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, and Milton Berle trying to teach billionaire to perform.

It's hard to believe George Cukor forced Marilyn Monroe to fall for the charmless cad Yves Montand in the last 30 seconds, when she had a fine relationship with Frankie Vaughn for the first two hours. And this may be the unfunniest Milton Berle ever was (and I recently saw his turn as a used-car salesman on The Lucy Show, so that's saying something). Crosby and Kelly do decent parodies of themselves. Wilfrid Hyde White is as impeccable as ever, and Tony Randall was wasted. Even the prologue detailing the five generations of ancestors and how they amassed a billion dollars through period-looking artwork using Montand's face is tedious.

*Spoiler/plot- Let's Make Love, 1960. A French handsome eligible billionaire is tired of women chasing him for his money. He finds a small New York stage play that is making a satire involving him. He shows up to stop the public embarrassment of the shows opening. He falls in love with the lead struggling actress. He tries to win the love of a stage actress by pretending to be another starving New Your actor in the same stage play.*Special Stars- Marilyn Monroe, Yves Montand, Tony Randal, Frankie Vaughan, Wilfrid Hyde-White.*Theme- People from different backgrounds can find common matters to make a relationship.*Trivia/location/goofs- Musical. Script written by Monroe's new husband, Arthur Miller. Lead male role re-cast over six times but finally accepted by M. Monroe's final approval.*Emotion- An entertaining musical film combined with Marilyn Monroe and several great catchy song numbers. A time capsule of the late 50's and so a bit of history for the viewer.*Based On- "Mr. Monroe's" Arthur Miller script.

French billionaire playboy Yves Montand (as Jean-Marc Clement) sees voluptuous blonde Marilyn Monroe (as Amanda Dell) rehearsing a "Let's Make Love" song off-Broadway and wants to offer a very affirmative response. Mistaken for an actor, Mr. Montand decides to go along with the ruse and try out for the play. He wants to get close to Ms. Monroe, who isn't impressed with money and correctly realizes "Alexander Dumas" is a noted author. Monroe's co-star and lover Frankie Vaughn (as Tony Danton) falls off the wagon with worry. Public relations man Tony Randall (as Coffman) plays his usual supporting role...Whatever Monroe and Montand were doing after hours doesn't translate on camera. He has some good moments, though, especially when he hires Milton Berle, Bing Crosby and Gene Kelly to teach him the art of comedy, song and dance. There is a nicely written scene for both, involving an expensive necklace. Also fun: the prominent placement of a Greta Garbo poster and some Elvis Presley impersonators, including surf guitar legend Dick Dale. Despite guidance available from director George Cukor, the story feels very labored. Monroe is distant, appearing as if inserted into scenes with careful editing. But, she's still an attraction.**** Let's Make Love (9/8/60) George Cukor ~ Marilyn Monroe, Yves Montand, Frankie Vaughan, Tony Randall