Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) - watch anytime in June

Plus Jane Russell's Chili recipe

Are you a hobo collector, or do you believe that it’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor man? Our two heroines have very different ideas about romantic relationships in this highly entertaining buddy romp.

Lorelei Lee, played by Marilyn Monroe, is one of my favourite comic movie characters. She's the brainchild of Anita Loos, the first female staff writer in Hollywood, and Marilyn delivers Anita’s brilliant one-liners with great panache.

Is this the way to Europe, France?

Jane Russell wisecracks her way throughout the film as Lorelei’s bosom buddy Dorothy, and I love both of them with a passion.

JANE’S SIGNATURE DISH

This recipe for chili appeared in a 1940s magazine article which detailed Jane’s love of Mexican food. I’ve never put a can of tomato soup in a chili before, but it works!

A No. 2 can = 1 lb 4oz or 566 grams. 1½ cups tomato soup = 350ml - I used a 400ml tin.

Although the recipe says this will serve 8, I would say 4. It would be small shares for 8, or maybe I am just greedy.

Jane also included recipes for her Spiced Cocoa and Buñuelos in the Betty Crocker article, skip over to the Silver Screen Suppers website if you fancy making these too.

Here’s how my chili turned out.

MINDFUL WATCHING TIPS

Are phones off, chatterboxes banished, salty snacks and beverages within arms reach, a last-minute wee done, pillows plumped? Then relax and enjoy.

EXTRA GLAMOUR

This month’s extra content is a kitchen video demonstration of a Jane Russell/Dorothy Shaw cocktail and a Vincent Price canapé. Dropping into paid subscriber inboxes on Friday.

Join the club - the recipe and movie of the month posts will always be free - but there are other goodies available behind the scenes.

Shopping list for the extra treats

For the cocktail

Rye whiskey

Sweet vermouth (the red one)

Grand Marnier

Benedictine

Bittermens xocolatl mole bitters (optional)

Orange twist

For the canapés

Avocados

Lemon juice

Small onion

Green chili pepper

Coriander

Garlic

Tomatoes

Worcestershire sauce

Mayonnaise

Cayenne or Tabasco sauce

Little toastie things or tortilla chips to dip

If you take pix of your chili, cocktails or canapés do hashtag me in on social media - #silverscreensuppers #dinnerandamovie

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE FILM AND MOVIE STAR VITTLES?

I’ll kick off the chit-chat in the app on the 18th of June. Keep your eyes peeled.

Think of our app space as your own private cinema club where you can discuss the movie with other lovely people as you drink ice-cold cocktails in sequins and feathers.

We’ll be chatting about important matters such as our favourite lines of dialogue, if we’d risk everything to get our mitts on a tiara, and whether we would be able to squeeze through a porthole.

Diamonds at the ready, chums. See you in the chat!

WHERE IS THE FILM PLAYING?

UK - Flicks Guide

USA - TV Guide

Australia - Flicks Guide

If you are elsewhere, search for - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes streaming - then your country name for the swiftest results.

LINKY-LINKS

Please see this page if you need more info about how the Silver Screen Suppers Club works.

Eighteen years of movie star recipe experiments can be found on the Silver Screen Suppers website.

Here are links to my themed cookbooks featuring the favourite recipes of tonnes of movie stars. If you prefer not to buy from Amazon, all are available to order from bookshops except Cooking with Joan Crawford. This is currently only available via Blurb, but a new, more affordable version, is coming soon.

JOIN ME AGAIN NEXT MONTH?

Our next movie will be announced on Sunday, 2nd July, and I hope this is the style in which you’ll be watching it.