Les reines du music-hall

Back in her earlier days in Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe did what most aspiring actresses did...she played bit parts and supporting roles. While "Ladies of the Chorus" offers her a bit more, she's not the lead nor was she ever intended to be. After all, it was 1948 and she was still a couple years from stardom. However, the studio did what I've seen many times with Monroe....after she become famous, they re-cut the movie (adding a title screen that shows Monroe in the lead) and re-released it! I watched this version. I've also seen many DVDs of Monroe and her bit roles with covers blazoned with her face....as if she was the star...so this re-issuing isn't any surprise to me.

The actual star of this film is Adele Jurgens, a gorgeous blonde who did quite a bit of television in the 50s. Sadly, her career worked out but not nearly enough to offer her many more starring roles. On the positive side, she lived a very long and full life aside from acting.

As far as Jurgens, despite being the star, the casting of Monroe as her daughter (despite only being nine years older) must have been painful to her. Jurgens plays Mae Martin, a chorus girl who works with her daughter, Peggy (Monroe). But when Peggy falls in love and the man asks her to marry her, Mae is worried. After all, Mae's husband came from a good family, just like this man, and she is worried that love won't be enough to keep Peggy's marriage going strong. After all, 'good families' don't want ex-chorus girls marrying into their family...and Mae's husband just couldn't cut it. What will come of Peggy and her new man?

In addition to this plot, there is lots of singing and dancing...especially by Jurgens and Monroe. Considering the film is made by Lippert Studios, it's surprisingly good...as I usually expect very little from their productions. The best part is how all this worked out in the film....something that makes it all worth seeing.