"The Seven Year Itch" is a hilarious
look at a man's struggles with temptation; the temptation being
a seductive starlet, Marilyn Monroe, who has moved into the
upstairs apartment for the summer of 1955.
This opportunity for Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell)
to stray from his marriage vows made to his wife Helen (Evelyn
Keyes), pops up, because his wife and son go away from the steamy,
hot New York City weather for the summer, going on holiday without
him to Maine, as he has to stay in the city because of his work.
Keeping his marital commitment in tack proves to be a tough
assignment, when faced with this flirtatious, sensuous woman's
attentions, when he, on his part, is suffering from "the
notorious seven year itch."
This funny screenplay, by director/writer Billy
Wilder, & writer George Axelrod, who wrote the original
stage play, has fun teasing the audience if Richard is really
going to go through with an affair with this luscious blonde
woman or not.
Director/writer Billy Wilder had a long and
lustrous career in both writing and directing, and had a solid
25 year span of hit movies due to his comedic genius. He was
active in his film making projects from 1929 - through 1974.
He made a few films after that, but was basically retired by
1981. He was offered a role in Jerry Maguire, but turned them
down flat. He also really wanted to direct "Schindler's
List," but Steven Spielberg wanted to direct it himself.
Wilder's direction of this film is truly inspiring,
as his flair for comedy brings this hilarious screenplay to
life. The actors and actresses were well-casted for their roles,
and did a great job.
Tom Ewell, a well-known, successful comedic talent
from the 1950's and '60's, was perfect as Richard Sherman. Ewell
was known for his ace comic foil roles with such beautiful women
as Sheree North ("The Lieutenant Wore Skirts") and Jayne
Manfield ("The Girl Can't Help It"). However when Ewell
was cast with Marilyn Monroe in this film, he was immortalized by
his reactons to the famous scene where Marilyn's skirt is blown
up by the air vent, revealing her beautiful legs.
Marilyn Monroe continued
to build her sexy image in her role as the tempting girl upstairs.
She does her role with a comedic flair that adds to the film's
humorous moments. This is one of her best efforts, a film that
she is known for. After this film, she went to study with Lee
Strausburg to develop her talent, as she wanted to grow as an
actress, replacing her sexpot image with that as an actress
with talent for a variety of movie genre, ranging from comedy
to dramatic. Critics loved her in "Bus Stop,"and were
amazed at her growth.
Wilder's "The Seven Year Itch" is described
as a "hilarious, scandalous sexy comedy, an outrageous mating
dance," that is sure to entertain Marilyn Monroe fans, as it
is one of her best film efforts. Some may find it a bit long in
sections, but the comical situations are directed and acted perfectly,
to produce a very funny film, exploring the issue of infidelity,
human desire verses commitment, in a comedic script, worthy of great
acclaim.
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