Review of The Seven Year Itch (1955) by X X — 18 Feb 2012

I have had the pleasure of catching this film 2 times in the last week on HDNet. For those of you who have never seen this film it is a gem from start to finish. It did not receive any Oscars but was recognized by the Golden Globes for best actor Tom Ewell, who believe it or not steals the show in this film.

Richard, played by Tom Ewell, sends his family away from Manhattan for the summer to their place in Maine, like many other tenants in his building. One tenant that remained was the girl, played by Marilyn Monroe, who lived upstairs from him, and after the girls tomato plant falls onto Richards deck, Richard kindly offers her a drink and the comedy begins. Richard convinces himself through his own neurosis that his wife Helen is going to find out that he had a lovely blonde in their home.

Richard, although he has done nothing wrong, feels guilty but has continuing interactions with the girl throughout the summer, constantly battling with his own conscience. The never ending diatribe Richard goes through is the meat of the film as his imagination takes over.

Tom Ewell and Marilyn Monroe have incredible chemistry and were part of one of the most memorable scenes in a film, when Marilyn Monroe steps over the grates of the subway and is warmed from the heat below. This scene has been forever etched in the history of film and is Marilyn's most remembered scene from any film that she has been in.

Miss Monroe was excellent playing the sweet, sometimes ditzy blonde that she does so well. Her interactions with Well are incredibly organic and their dialogue is well written and well delivered. For any Marilyn Monroe fan this is a must see.