**”Monkey Business”** (1952) is a screwball comedy directed by Howard Hawks, featuring an all-star cast, including Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, Charles Coburn, and Marilyn Monroe. The film blends elements of madcap humor and science fiction, telling the story of a scientist whose anti-aging experiment leads to chaotic results. Marilyn Monroe, in one of her earlier major roles, delivers a memorable performance as a secretary, adding to her growing reputation as a comedic talent.
### Film Details:
– **Title**: Monkey Business
– **Release Year**: 1952
– **Genre**: Screwball Comedy, Science Fiction
– **Director**: Howard Hawks
– **Screenwriters**: Ben Hecht, Charles Lederer, I. A. L. Diamond (story by Harry Segall)
– **Cinematography**: Milton R. Krasner
– **Production Company**: 20th Century Fox
– **Runtime**: 97 minutes
– **Main Cast**:
– **Cary Grant** as Dr. Barnaby Fulton
– **Ginger Rogers** as Edwina Fulton
– **Charles Coburn** as Mr. Oliver Oxley
– **Marilyn Monroe** as Lois Laurel
### Plot Summary:
The story revolves around **Dr. Barnaby Fulton** (Cary Grant), an absent-minded chemist working on a formula for rejuvenation, designed to reverse the effects of aging. His employer, **Mr. Oliver Oxley** (Charles Coburn), is eager for the breakthrough, hoping it will lead to commercial success. However, things take an unexpected turn when a chimpanzee in the lab accidentally mixes chemicals, inadvertently creating a working rejuvenation serum.
Unaware of the chimp’s involvement, Dr. Fulton drinks the serum himself and regresses to a youthful, carefree state, behaving like a teenager. His newfound youthful energy causes a series of comedic mishaps, including flirting with **Lois Laurel** (Marilyn Monroe), Mr. Oxley’s stunning and naive secretary. Soon, other characters, including Dr. Fulton’s wife, **Edwina** (Ginger Rogers), also ingest the formula, leading to increasingly outlandish and hilarious situations as they all experience temporary youth.
### Marilyn Monroe’s Role:
Monroe plays **Lois Laurel**, the young and beautiful secretary of Mr. Oxley. Though her role is relatively small, she stands out for her charm and comedic timing. As Lois, Monroe embodies the quintessential glamorous secretary, turning heads with her stunning looks and playful attitude. She engages in light flirtation with Dr. Fulton, especially during the scenes where he’s under the influence of the youth serum, resulting in some of the film’s funniest moments.
Monroe’s performance as Lois is full of light-hearted fun, and while the character is written primarily for comedic relief and glamour, Monroe manages to elevate the role with her natural charisma and charm. The role helped solidify Monroe’s status as a talented comedic actress, further contributing to her growing fame in the early 1950s.
### Themes:
– **Youth and Aging**: At its core, the film explores society’s obsession with youth and the desire to turn back time. The characters’ temporary regression to youthful behavior results in chaos, humorously suggesting that youth isn’t always as desirable as it seems.
– **Science and Chaos**: The film uses the premise of an anti-aging serum to create absurd, chaotic situations. The scientific experiment gone wrong serves as a vehicle for the film’s madcap comedy, emphasizing how even the most controlled settings can lead to unexpected consequences.
– **Relationships and Identity**: Through the antics of Dr. Fulton and his wife, Edwina, the film also explores the dynamic between a couple as they rediscover their youthful selves. The serum’s effects highlight how people change over time and how relationships evolve, all through a comedic lens.
### Reception:
**”Monkey Business”** received positive reviews for its fast-paced humor, witty dialogue, and the performances of its cast, especially Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers. Critics appreciated the film’s playful exploration of the quest for eternal youth, and its screwball comedy style resonated well with audiences. While Monroe had a supporting role, her performance was widely praised, and she continued to make an impression as a rising star.
### Marilyn Monroe’s Impact:
Though Monroe’s role in **”Monkey Business”** was not central to the plot, her presence in the film is significant as it contributed to her image as a comedic actress capable of playing more than just a glamorous figure. Her performance alongside big names like Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers helped her gain further recognition in Hollywood. Monroe’s effortless comedic timing and ability to light up the screen with her beauty and charisma made her a standout in the film.
This movie came at a crucial time in Monroe’s career, as she had just started to transition into leading roles in films like **”Niagara”** (1953) and **”Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”** (1953). While she wasn’t yet headlining major pictures, **”Monkey Business”** was one of several films that helped showcase her talent and versatility, leading to the breakout success she would soon achieve.
### Fun Fact:
Cary Grant, known for his suave on-screen persona, fully embraced the comedic elements of his role in **”Monkey Business”**. The scenes where his character regresses to his teenage self allowed Grant to showcase his physical comedy skills, particularly in the moments where he is full of youthful energy and engages in wild antics like riding roller skates down the street.
**”Monkey Business”** remains a classic screwball comedy, remembered for its slapstick humor, lively performances, and the charming chemistry of its cast, including a young Marilyn Monroe who was well on her way to becoming a Hollywood legend.
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