Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955)

Two American sisters (Jane Russell, Jeanne Crain), who do a song and dance act, travel to Paris to headline a posh casino. There, they meet Rudy Vallee who knew the girls' mother and aunt (played by Russell and Crain in flashback) when they were a notorious sister act in the 1920s. He tries to help the sisters break their act in during their Paris sojourn. Loosely based on the novel by Anita Loos and directed by Richard Sale (A TICKET TO TOMAHAWK). This sequel to the 1953 hit GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES lacks that film's wit and though Russell returns, Marilyn Monroe's absence is felt throughout the film. The songs are a mixed lot though a handful like the lovely My Funny Valentine and the amusing Daddy stand out among the others. The choreography by the great Jack Cole is disappointing except for the Ain't Misbehavin' number and even there, he's not at his best. Russell and Crain look ultra glam in their Travilla wardrobe and the CinemaScope cinematography by Desmond Dickinson does justice to the Paris and Monaco locales. I love musicals so I'm probably more tolerant of mediocre fluff like this. With Scott Brady and Alan Young.