Gentlemen Marry Brunettes The studio attempted to repeat the formula, with Russell returning but Jeanne Crain stepping in for a presumably otherwise engaged Monroe (both women played new characters). Alan Young (later the star of TV's "Mr. Ed"), Scott Brady (brother of Lawrence Tierney), and Rudy Vallee also appear. This film was not as well received as the earlier one. The choreography was by Jack Cole, who had also contributed to the "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" film. The dance ensemble includes the young Gwen Verdon. Anita Loos had entitled her book "But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes", but the studio dropped the first word from the
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953 film) want the best for her, to which he agrees and consents to his son's marriage to Lorelei. The film closes with a double wedding for Lorelei and Dorothy, who marry Esmond and Malone, respectively. The film earned 5.3 million dollars at the box office worldwide, 5.1 million in North America, and was the ninth highest-grossing film of 1953, whereas Monroe's next feature "How to Marry a Millionaire" was the fourth. The film received positive reviews from critics. Monroe and Russell were both praised for their performances as Lorelei and Dorothy even among those critics who were not otherwise impressed by