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) Theatre, a spectacle that got a lot of publicity for both actresses and for the film. Loos wrote a sequel to her novel entitled "But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes", with further adventures of Lorelei and Dorothy. The 1955 "Gentlemen Marry Brunettes" musical film used only the book's name and starred Russell and Jeanne Crain playing completely new characters. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953 film) Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a 1953 American musical comedy film based on the 1949 stage musical of the same name. It was directed by Howard Hawks and stars Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe, with Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid,