# How to Marry a Millionaire

> 1953 film by Jean Negulesco

**Wikidata**: [Q284362](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q284362)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Marry_a_Millionaire)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/how-to-marry-a-millionaire

## Summary
How to Marry a Millionaire is a 1953 American romantic comedy film directed by Jean Negulesco and produced by 20th Century Fox. The film stars Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and Lauren Bacall as three women who rent an expensive apartment to attract wealthy husbands.

## Key Facts
- Release date: January 1, 1953 (premiere), April 2, 1954 (wider release)
- Director: Jean Negulesco
- Production company: 20th Century Fox
- Country of origin: United States
- Genre: Romantic comedy, comedy drama, musical film, romance film
- Runtime: 95 minutes
- Budget: $2,130,000
- Box office: $8,000,000
- IMDb ID: tt0045891
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 85%
- Metacritic score: 7.2/10
- Film number: 327989
- Library of Congress Control Number: 2002026413
- Freebase ID: /m/03p5xc
- Wikidata ID: Q55503
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 39

## FAQs
**What is the plot of How to Marry a Millionaire?**
The film follows three women who rent an expensive apartment to attract wealthy husbands. Schatze Page (Lauren Bacall) is the practical leader, Loco Dempsey (Betty Grable) is the fun-loving one, and Pola Debevoise (Marilyn Monroe) is the nearsighted beauty. Their schemes lead to romantic complications when they fall for men who aren't wealthy.

**Who are the main actors in How to Marry a Millionaire?**
The film stars Marilyn Monroe as Pola Debevoise, Betty Grable as Loco Dempsey, and Lauren Bacall as Schatze Page. Supporting cast includes William Powell, David Wayne, and Rory Calhoun.

**What makes How to Marry a Millionaire historically significant?**
The film was one of the first movies shot in CinemaScope, Fox's new widescreen format. It also marked Marilyn Monroe's first leading role in a major studio production and helped establish her as a major star.

**What awards or recognition did How to Marry a Millionaire receive?**
While the film didn't win major awards, it was a commercial success and is now considered a classic of 1950s Hollywood cinema. It was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2012.

## Why It Matters
How to Marry a Millionaire matters as a landmark film in Hollywood's transition to widescreen formats and as a showcase for three of the era's biggest female stars. The film demonstrated the commercial viability of CinemaScope technology, helping to establish widescreen as the industry standard. It also represents a significant moment in Marilyn Monroe's career, proving her box office appeal beyond supporting roles. The film's blend of glamour, comedy, and social commentary about marriage and wealth reflects 1950s American values while offering timeless entertainment. Its preservation in the National Film Registry recognizes its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance to American cinema.

## Notable For
- One of the first films shot in CinemaScope widescreen format
- Marilyn Monroe's first leading role in a major studio production
- Starring three of Hollywood's biggest female stars of the 1950s
- Commercial success with $8 million box office on $2.13 million budget
- Selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry
- Featured innovative use of color and widescreen cinematography
- Helped establish Marilyn Monroe as a major box office draw
- Combined elements of romantic comedy, musical, and social satire

## Body
### Production and Technical Details
How to Marry a Millionaire was produced by 20th Century Fox and directed by Jean Negulesco. The film was shot in CinemaScope, a new widescreen format developed by Fox that became an industry standard. The production budget was $2,130,000, which was substantial for the time, and the film grossed $8,000,000 at the box office, making it a significant commercial success. The runtime is 95 minutes, and the film features vibrant color cinematography that showcased the capabilities of the CinemaScope process.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars three of Hollywood's most prominent actresses of the 1950s. Lauren Bacall plays Schatze Page, the practical and determined leader of the group. Betty Grable portrays Loco Dempsey, the fun-loving and somewhat naive member. Marilyn Monroe plays Pola Debevoise, a beautiful but nearsighted woman who refuses to wear her glasses. The supporting cast includes William Powell as J.D. Hanley, David Wayne as Freddie Denmark, and Rory Calhoun as Tom Brookman.

### Genre Classification
The film spans multiple genres, reflecting its complex narrative structure. It is primarily classified as a romantic comedy, but also incorporates elements of comedy drama, musical film, and romance film. This genre blending was characteristic of many successful Hollywood productions of the 1950s, allowing the film to appeal to a broad audience.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
How to Marry a Millionaire has endured as a classic of 1950s American cinema. Its selection for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2012 recognizes its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. The film is notable for its portrayal of female friendship and ambition, themes that remain relevant today. It also represents an important moment in the careers of all three lead actresses, particularly Marilyn Monroe, whose performance helped establish her as a major star capable of carrying a film.

### Distribution and Reception
The film premiered on January 1, 1953, and received a wider release on April 2, 1954. It achieved a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 85%, indicating strong critical reception. The film's commercial success, grossing nearly four times its production budget, demonstrated the viability of both the CinemaScope format and star-driven romantic comedies.

### Technical Innovations
As one of the first films shot in CinemaScope, How to Marry a Millionaire played a crucial role in establishing widescreen as the industry standard. The format allowed for more expansive compositions and enhanced the film's visual appeal, particularly important for a story centered on glamour and luxury. The film's use of color was also notable, with vibrant palettes that showcased the capabilities of contemporary color film technology.

### Related Works and Connections
The film is part of the broader catalog of 20th Century Fox productions and represents a significant entry in the romantic comedy genre. It shares thematic elements with other films about women seeking financial security through marriage, a common trope in mid-20th century American cinema. The film's success influenced subsequent productions featuring female ensembles and romantic comedy plots.

### Preservation and Current Status
The film's inclusion in the United States National Film Registry ensures its preservation for future generations. This designation recognizes films that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." The film continues to be studied in film courses and remains popular with audiences interested in classic Hollywood cinema, particularly those focused on the careers of Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and Lauren Bacall.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045891/)
2. [Source](http://www.cinematografo.it/cinedatabase/film/come-sposare-un-milionario/7079/)
3. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/jak-poslubic-milionera)
4. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045891/fullcredits)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. The Movie Database
7. How to Marry a Millionaire. Rotten Tomatoes
8. Lexicon of international films
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](https://books.google.com/books?id=WIZwZOz8LHsC&pg=PA248)
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