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This list was originally published in 2017.
We have republished it withBlondein theaters.
Hollywood has been creating a mythology around blonde bombshells since its beginnings.
You probably had an image of Monroe in your mind long before you ever saw her on film.
The white-hot sex symbol.
The picture of mid-century femininity wasp-waisted, platinum blonde, and buxom.
Shes been flattened onto dorm-room posters, mugs, T-shirts, artist renderings.
Shes been linked to falsely attributed quotes, conspiracy theories, and lurid rumors.
But Monroe was more complex than her legacy suggests, as both an actress and a woman.
29.The Fireball(1950)
29.
Monroe appears in two scenes, and not even her natural charm makes it worth watching.
Monroe diehards shouldnt waste their time tracking this down.
28.Love Happy(1949)
28.
Love Happyis generally (and rightly, I might add) considered the weakest ofthe Marx Brothers films.
27.Right Cross(1950)
27.
Its such a small role, it doesnt give her enough time to make an impression.
26.A Ticket to Tomahawk(1950)
26.
Calling Monroes role in this ridiculous, chintzy Western small is an understatement.
She has one line (Mhm, honey) and a song-dance number as part of a traveling group.
Its cute, she looks good, and thats the extent of its impact.
But the song-dance number is adorable enough that this performance edges out her other blink-and-you-miss-it appearances on this list.
25.Dangerous Years(1947)
25.
24.Scudda Hoo!
(1948)
24.
Filmed beforeDangerous Yearsbut released after, Monroes part is inconsequential, so much so that her role is uncredited.
23.Lets Make It Legal(1951)
23.
Honey, your fathers been so divine with me that sometimes even I feel like calling him daddy!
Theres some interesting talent involved in the film, namely Claudette Colbert and Monroe herself.
But the film is definitely below their pay grade.
Monroe does her best with the material, and its a bigger part than her previous bit roles.
That said, Im not sure its worth sitting through.
22.Lets Make Love(1960)
22.
Theres no way around it:Lets Make Loveis a mess.
The films troubled production historyis evident onscreen.
21.Home Town Story(1951)
21.
Home Town Storyis another forgettable, early film that Monroe barely figures into.
20.As Young As You Feel(1951)
20.
But her expert comedic timing is on display here.
19.Love Nest(1951)
19.
Thats abundantly clear withLove Nest.
18.Were Not Married!
(1952)
18.
Of course, he takes every opportunity to undermine her career, relishing each moment with a disturbing smile.
To make matters worse, the filmmakers are thoroughly on his side.
Sure, theres a happy ending eventually, but its such a strangely bitter story.
Monroes actually quite good luminescent, open but shes fighting against a story that doesnt respect her.
Its a problem that snakes through far too much of Monroes work.
Henrys Full House(1952)
17.
O. Henrys Full Houseis an anthology film curiously narrated by and featuring author John Steinbeck.
Monroe plays a prostitute/streetwalker in scenes against the great Charles Laughton.
16.Ladies of the Chorus(1948)
16.
Shes a pure confection and dramatically less curated than shed come to be.
Its definitely a fun, worthwhile performance to track down.
15.Theres No Business Like Show Business(1954)
15.
Theres No Business Like Show Businesstypifies a kind of glitzy mid-century comedy-musical that no longer gets made.
Its an ensemble through and through, including heavyweights like Donald OConnor, who considered this his best work.
Still, theres something compelling about Monroe that immediately draws your eye.
Monroe is great in the role, bringing a particular blend of sexiness and innocence that is downright spellbinding.
14.The Asphalt Jungle(1950)
14.
13.Clash by Night(1952)
13.
Monroe plays the girlfriend of Maes younger brother.
Monroes performance in the film blends the wounded and sweet naivete qualities that have become her hallmark.
In just a few scenes, she leaves her mark.
12.All About Eve(1950)
12.
Was it just the tragic circumstances of her death?
Monroe was in fact a talented actress, even if she didnt have faith in her own abilities.
Monroe plays Claudia Caswell, a young actress taken under the wing of George Sanderss devious critic.
Her true talents lie not in acting on the stage, but how she acts in real life.
Come for the deliciously sharp bon mots, stay for the actresses, including Monroe.
11.Monkey Business(1952)
11.
The premise ofMonkey Businessis fantastical to the point of being ludicrous.
Once it gets into the water cooler at work, things get weird.
Shes hilarious, electric, and quick-witted.
10.The Seven Year Itch(1955)
10.
She seems utterly naive about her own sexual charge or how Richard leers at her.
Shes a ray of sunshine cutting through the fog of the film.
9.River of No Return(1954)
9.
But Monroe is a wonder.
8.How to Marry a Millionaire(1953)
8.
The film crackles with energy, wit, and heightened humor, which Monroe excels at.
Even better, Monroes gold digger isnt condescended to.
Her bubbly effervescence and surprising timidity are treated as utterly adorable qualities that the film plays into.
7.The Prince and the Showgirl(1957)
7.
To Olivier, Hollywood dimmed the natural charm Monroe had on camera, making her more fearful than expressive.
You feel you’ve got the option to reach out and touch it.
That is on full display here.
6.Bus Stop(1956)
6.
Monroe had a strange, nearly antagonistic relationship with the camera and the male gaze.
Few actors seem to have such an understanding of the camera on a primal level.
the architect of American method acting) and his wife, Paula, as her acting coach.
There is something haunting about her character.
5.Niagara(1953)
5.
Ive always felt that Monroe should have done more noirs.
She seduces as much as she draws away from the world.
4.Dont Bother to Knock(1952)
4.
3.The Misfits(1961)
3.
The film was directed by John Huston and written by Monroes then-husband Arthur Miller.
Monroes work with the other actors creates a portrait of the ways people yearn.
2.Some Like It Hot(1959)
2.
Some Like It Hotis one of the few films Id call perfect.
Its firing on all cylinders sharp direction, expert cinematography, crackling cast chemistry.
The 1929 setting makes this an obvious riff on the Valentines Day Massacre.
Who knew murder could bring such hilarity?
1.Gentlemen Prefer Blondes(1953)
1.
No one can watchGentlemen Prefer Blondesand still make the claim that Monroes draw was only photographic.
If shed stuck to being a model, she wouldnt be half the legend she is today.
Its so fragile and subtle, it can only be caught by the camera.
Howard Hawks creates a film that sparkles with energy and brims with hilarity.
Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe are a study in contrasts that perfectly complement each other.
Russell is the cynical, sharp-tongued half.
Monroe is bubbly, passionate, and utterly obsessed with diamonds.
Her grace, comedic timing, and kinetic chemistry with Russell make this her best and most delightful performance.
