LADIES OF THE CHORUS
US, 1948, 61 minutes, Black and white.
Adele Jergens, Marilyn Monroe, Rand Brooks, Nana Bryant.
Directed by Phil Karlson.
Ladies of the Chorus is a very short feature film made by Phil Karlson who had begun making films in the mid-40s and continued to make smaller-budget action films and genre films until 1975. His best period was in the early 1960s with such films as The Young Doctors and directing Elvis Presley in Kid Galahad.
The film is principally interesting for it being the first major role for Marilyn Monroe on screen. At age twenty-two she is still quite impressive – some of the mannerisms are evident but have not been developed at this stage. There is an air of innocence and ingenuousness about her. She was able to capitalise on this in many roles later as in The Seven Year Itch, How To Marry A Millionaire as well as in Some Like It Hot.
Adele Jergens, only nine years older than Marilyn Monroe, appears as her mother but has a flashback so that she can have a song and dance number. The rather bland hero is Rand Brooks but his mother is played by Nana Bryant who does quite a turn at singing at the end of the film.
Marilyn Monroe was a significant presence on screen, within fourteen years of this film she would be dead. However, this gives an opportunity to see her in her prime, both as an actress, comedienne and performing song and dance.
1.An entertaining small film? Burlesque? Society and its attitude towards burlesque dancers? True love?
2.The black and white photography, the low budget but high production values? The burlesque theatres, stage, dressing rooms? The contrast with the mansions of the wealthy?
3.The title, the song and dance routines? The variety of songs, as performed by Marilyn Monroe, Adele Jergens, Nana Bryant?
4.Mae, in the chorus, her concern for her daughter Peggy? The context of the chorus, the performance, the bickering amongst the women? Dates and men wanting to take the chorus girls out? Mae and her protectiveness of Peggy?
5.Mae as a character, strong, giving Peggy the chance to be the star? Proud of her? Randy and his taking Peggy out, her concern, talking to him frankly about the differences in society, the flashbacks to her own life, her performance, her going out with her boyfriend, his promises? The pressures from his family? Her not seeing him again? Giving birth to Peggy? Uncle Bill as the protector, wanting to propose? Mae and her care for her daughter? Talking frankly to Randy?
6.Peggy, wanting some independence, yet devoted to her mother? The attraction towards Randy, falling in love? The background of the flashbacks, her schooling, Uncle Billy and his giving the engagement ring to Peggy for her graduation?
7.Peggy and Randy, going out, on the town, dancing? Hopes for marriage?
8.The Carroll family, Mrs Carroll and her household, the butler? Wealthy? High society? Randy not telling his mother the truth? The invitation for Mae and Peggy to come? The comedy about the decorations for the engagement party? Uncle Billy turning up and being mistaken?
9.The party, the trio, the revelation that Peggy was a burlesque queen? People’s reactions? Mrs Carroll, her reassuring Peggy and Mae, coming downstairs, her doing the burlesque number? Changing people’s attitudes? Welcoming Peggy into the family? Mae and Uncle Billy being reunited? A happy ending?
10.The social comment on American society after World War Two? Snobbery and arrogance? Supporting ordinary people?
