The iconic billowing white dress over the subway grille, a momentary feature in this silly romantic comedy, along with its star, Marilyn Monroe, ensure that this particular feature will never be lost in the archives.
With the 1950s tradition of (middle class) New York wives and kids leaving the city to escape the heat of the summer months, Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell) is ambivalent about his time alone. An overactive imagination (much to the amusement of wife Helen – Evelyn Keyes) masks his fear of beautiful single women. But then the unnamed Marilyn Monroe takes the upstairs apartment whilst the neighbours are away in Europe.
Occasional wry moments and the unique guileless charm of Monroe almost manage to mask the weaknesses of Billy Wilder’s surprisingly sub standard boudoir comedy. Lots of naive misunderstandings that tested the cinematic censorship regulations of its time, The Seven Year Itch never really ignites, teetering at times on the edge of slapstick (a finger stuck in a champagne bottle?). Very disappointing.
Rating: 40%
Director: Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot, Sunset Boulevard)
Writer: Billy Wilder (Some Like It Hot, Sunset Boulevard), George Axelroyd (The Manchurian Candidate, Breakfast at Tiffany’s) – based on George Axelroyd’s play
Main cast: Marilyn Monroe (Some Like It Hot, All About Eve), Tom Ewell (Adam’s Rib, State Fair), Evelyn Keyes (Gone with the Wind, The Prowler)
An Opinion or Two 