Monkey Business (1952)

It's worth seeing even for those only a few seconds from the 14th minute, when Marilyn shows us the most beautiful ass in the world, through the dress she has on her, going out of her boss's office, just two minutes after she showed Cary Grant one of her super sexy legs, in the front room of the office. If you're not happy with what you've just been seen, wait until the 31st minute, when you'll see her laughing in the sport car driven by the same but transformed Cary Grant. Have you reached the 33rd minute? Marilyn in a swimsuit? What do you say? Don't you want to stop time forever? Or, at least to be born again, beside her, at the swimming pool? Well, that's what it is, you have to be thankful with just that, the rest they try very hard, in a childish way, to make us laugh. They did not succeed, not with me. But I will watch it again, anytime, only for MM.

Cary Grant gets my vote as the best American actor of all time. And, the only real reason to watch this film is to see Cary Grant be silly (and nobody can be quite so silly as Cary Grant on those rare occasions when he does that). But this film...sorry, I think it ranks among the worst Cary Grant films.The first problem is Marilyn Monroe. At least she is accurately typecast in this film as a dumb blonde with no talent other than her looks. In fact, the lead chimp gives a more credible performance and is more entertaining.The second problem is that even Cary Grant (and Ginger Rogers) acting childish gets tired after a while...and when it does get tiring, there's little of substance left.SPOILER ALERT: The third problem is the plot. It's pretty thin: scientist may have discovered a youth potion...although it turns out the chimp invented the formula.I should have really liked this film. It has my favorite actor (Grant), and a female lead that I have come to like (Rogers), and one of my very favorite supporting actors (Charles Coburn). But it's a great disappointment from beginning (the director, off screen, telling Cary Grant that it's not time to come on the set yet) to the end.Well, nobody perfect. Not Cary Grant. And not the great director Howard Hawks. Sorry Cary, you get a rare "5" on this one.

MONKEY BUSINESS is a madcap comedy starring Cary Grant as a short-sighted professor who's been conducting experiments into the intelligence of chimpanzees. One day, when he's out of his laboratory, unbeknownst to him a chimp escapes and pours his newly-made concoction into the water cooler. When members of his team and family begin to drink the concoction they experience a newfound youthfulness...Let's be fair: most of this film's enjoyment stems from an ever-professional Cary Grant, who shows that he's every bit as good at slapstick comedy as he is in other genres. Grant's transformation from a geeky scientist into a youthful playboy is a hoot and he delivers a straight-laced performance that fits perfectly with the production. The highlight comes late on in the proceedings when he plays Red Indians with a group of mischievous kids. It's a sublime moment.Elsewhere, the production falters a little with Ginger Rogers - who plays Grant's wife - asked to do increasingly stupid things for the camera. There's a great trick she pulls off with a glass of coffee, but when Rogers acts the kid it's pretty embarrassing, I have to say. Watch out for Marilyn Monroe, taking an early role as a sexpot secretary. Although MONKEY BUSINESS is rather a juvenile film, there are moments of slapstick and madness which equal Laurel & Hardy at the top of their game. Just a shame the tone wasn't more consistent...

Considered by some to be a minor or a slight comedy, I simply love this "20th Century Fox" film. I saw it when I was very young on TV and it sparked an interest in Marilyn Monroe for me that has continued to this day. The film is fast paced and very cleverly written. The film allows all the distinguished cast involved to just really cut loose at all costs. The effect is completely hilarious. Carey Grant and the wonderful Ginger Rogers offer true comic genius. Scenes where they mentally regress to teen and child like behavior after accidentally consuming a drug mixed by a chimp in a research lab are a delight to behold.I especially liked the sequence when we first see Marilyn Monroe as Mr Oxley's secretary Miss Laurel. She is in the middle of showing Cary Grant her leg and the snag free asatate nylons he lab created. Mr. Oxley summons Carey Grant to his office. He then tells Mr Oxley he will be in his office in a minute. He is checking out Miss Laurel's Ass-a tates. (hmmm... Classic..!) The film continues to delight us in all scenes involving Marilyn. She is magnetic and mesmerizing even in this small supporting role. She even giggles beautifully and she does that in a very well done speeding car sequence. Her youthful exuberance would not be denied. Its hard to believe she would pass away just 10 years after this film was released. Its to bad her role and character weren't expanded upon a bit. Marilyns fan base and fame were rising at an alarming rate in 1951 and the studio didn't quite know what to do with her. Studio head Daryl Zanuck declared, "Put that girl in every film on our lot that requires a blonde" At this period in her career FOX was using her for little more than window dressing. Marilyn was in several light comedies between 1951 and 1954. I would recommend this film to anybody who appreciates Marilyn Monroe or good old fashioned Hollywood madcap humor.