Ladies of the Chorus - 1949

The front row of the Burlesque world.

Anyone can see that this is Marilyn's first major role. There is a hint of her innocent sexuality just wanting to burst through although it will be a few more years until we see the Marilyn that everyone remembers with her pouting lips and half-closed eyes. This movie is her rehearsal for the unforgettable movies she goes on to make. The movie centres around the ladies of the chorus and life behind the scenes. Peggy and her mother Mae dance in the chorus and have constant disagreements about men, Mae believing that none are good enough for her daughter and Pegy wanting to prove her mother wrong. However the crunch comes when Peggy meets a man of high class and falls in love, and has to present herself and her mother to Peggy's fiance's mother who is unaware of their Burlesque background ...
A good vehicle for Marilyn, and let's face it, that's why most people will want to see this movie, but not one of her best.

Rating 3/5