[.ca] "Marilyn Monroe: The Diamond Collection, Vol. 2 ...

From Amazon.com:
Some essential examples of the Marilyn Monroe mystique make up this second collection of titles from MM's years at Twentieth Century Fox. After sparkling in small roles, she burst upon the public consciousness in 1952, thanks to five films and a certain nude calendar. Two of the 1952 pictures, showing very different sides of the new actress, are included here. One is Monkey Business, Howard Hawks's raucous comedy about a youth serum, in which top-lined stars Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers regress to a state of adolescent abandon, with Monroe doing spot-on supporting duty. Don't Bother to Knock gives Marilyn her first lead role, in a tense little film noir; she's a babysitter with an unstable streak, a fine performance hinting at depths rarely touched in her career. In Niagara, Monroe is a full-fledged sex goddess, a scheming wife tormenting husband Joseph Cotten in their cabin by the falls. This Technicolor slice of pseudo-Hitchcock is a fun location picture with a genuinely exciting climax. Otto Preminger's River of No Return has Marilyn livened up by the presence of costar Robert Mitchum, in a strong outdoorsy Western that catches the two stars in appealing form. By the time of 1960's Let's Make Love, MM looks tired. This backstage musical is more interesting as a time capsule than as a romance, although one number shines: "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." Less urgent for Monroe fans than the first Diamond Collection, this set is still a good one for the die-hards. --Robert Horton

More diamonds? More like the Rhinestone Collection:
Still using the analogies that MM's five movies from the Diamond Collection were jewels, the five movies in the second collection are definitely not that crystalline allotrope of carbon by any means. Fake jewelry maybe. And to twist a line from "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend," I do mean rhinestones. Don't Bother To Knock: As disturbed babysitter Nell, MM's dramatic talents come into play. Nell is a timid soul who has led by a bad life. When lonely pilot Jed Towers comes in for a drink, she mistakes him for the love who was lost in war. Things fall apart when her charge interrupts their kiss and a psychotic desire for revenge on the little girl begins. The best movie in this collection, with MM giving a performance other than a buxom blonde or secretary. (Rating: 3) Let's Make Love: MM is Amanda Dell, a stage actress in a revue designed to spoof billionaire Jean-Marc Clement, who falls in love with her and pretends to be a Clement impersonator. Amanda is the most sympathetic character in this cockle-doodle-doo of a movie. A tepid script, dialogue, characters, and a waste of talent sink this movie, which is among the worst of her career. Her acting, well, that's different. (Rating: 2) Monkey Business: MM is secretary Lois Laurel at Oxley Chemicals, where a chimp's formula for youth makes immature goons out of chemist Barnaby Fulton and his wife Edwina. This look at the nostalgia of regaining one's youth could've been better. A thankless role of MM, who barely comes out at all, and ends up having rubber bands shot at her rear end. (Rating: 3) Niagara: The beauty of Niagara Falls nearly takes center stage if not for a certain wiggling blonde in a hot pink dress who sizzles as her favourite record is playing. The adulterous Rose Loomis (MM) plots to kill her neurotic husband George with the help of her lover, but things go wrong. Involved in this picture are a nice honeymooning couple, the Cutlers. MM's infamous undulating walk debuted here. (Rating: 3). River Of No Return: What do you say about a Grade-Z western where Marilyn wins out over the scenery and script? As less as possible. Seriously though, MM plays Kay, a saloon singer and girlfriend of a gambler Harry Weston who in a desperate hurry to file a gold claim, steals the horse of recently released ex-con Matt Calder. Matt, his son Mark, and Kay brave the raging white river, bandits, and Indians. Matt is determined to kill Harry, and Kay is determined to stop him, but along the way, realizes how kind and unselfish Matt is. (Rating: 3). They should've stopped at the first Diamond Collection and released this as videos without being part of another collection. Overall rating: 3.

" Bonus Features" disappointing:
Although I give 5 stars for the quality and presentation of the main features, I was very disappointed in the Bonus Features (or lack of). Unlike the Diamond Collection 1, this collection has no Movietone newsreels (there's an excellent one on the Marilyn Collection VHS of "Let's Make Love"), there are no documentaries or deleted scenes like on the "Seven Year Itch" DVD, and a black and white(!!!) copy of the theatrical trailer to "Niagra" (even though there is an excellent colour copy on the VHS-Marilyn Collection. I get the feeling this collection was put together in a rush and not much time put into research to come up with some interesting things hidden in the vaults (also, where is the soundtrack to this collection like the excellent one that was put together for the last collection?). All and all, I still really enjoy seeing this collection, especially the wide screen versions of some of the movies ("River of No Return" was a treat as this was the first time I could see some scenes where Marilyn had been completly cut out with the "pan/scan" technique used on previous VHS tapes. An exciting joy to watch and see a great screen presence.

the most enigaging of af all movie series ever made:
marilyn monroe is without a dought the most exlilerting star of the silver screen . heres may ratings for ech movie individualy "monkey bisseness" 2out of 5 - this film is good but doesent offer much marilyn "niagra" 3 out of 5 - its odvious that M.M. belongs in comidies ond musicals and dramas dont show her deep talent "dont bother to knock 4 out of 5 - i said drama doesent flatter marilyn much but this one does . "the river of no return " 5 out of 5 -the empty saloon singer gives marilyn a sort of glow " lets make love" 5 out of 5 - though marilyn looks tired she doesent want to show it much because of her high enegry on stage this film is a classic!!!

Worth the price of admission:
Another beautifully restored tribute to one of the biggest stars of all time. (If you don't own the first diamond collection, get it.) The best film of this package is "Don't bother to knock." It shows a different side to Marilyn, the one rarely seen. Usually typecast as the "chipper, dumb blonde," Marilyn shows off her dramatic talent in this dark film. She's more than a pretty face. She showcases her acting ability to the point where she is completely unrecognizable from her other films. She'll blow you away with her comedic performance in "let's make love," and leave you mystified in the beautifully filmed "Niagara." I'm not a big western fan, but still found "River of no return" to be quite entertaining. "Monkey business" was my least favorite of the package, but that had more to do with the casting error of Cary Grant. He didn't suit his character, at least not to me. Overall, a very entertaining movie set, much like the first. But "Don't bother to knock," offers the biggest bang for your buck. She'll mesmerize you with the best things about her: her talent and her mind. After all, it takes more than a pretty face for a girl to coin the phrase, "I'm like this entire superstructure with absolutely no foundation. But I'm working on the foundation."

This DVD Diamond Collection Vol 2 shows us the appeal of MM!:
MM (Marilyn Monroe) was & now again (due to these magnificent digitally restored picture & sound DVD's) the most celebrated film star of Hollywood. The Black & White and Technicolor quality / clarity of all the movies are worth the price of admission. This Diamond Collection Volume II 5 DVD set allows us into the hey day of Hollywood & the early career of Marilyn becoming the most celebrated star of her era. These movies show us Marilyn's versatile talent beyond singing and comedy. Summary: Monkey Business (1952) with Cary Grant & Ginger Rogers is Marilyns first serious star billing. This Black/White Full Screen comedy introduces us to the young & camera aluring MM. Don't Bother To Knock (1952) with Richard Widmark also Black/White Full Screen Drama has Marilyn playing a mentally disturbed babysitter. Niagara (1953) with Joseph Cotton is one of Marilyns greatest dramatic roles. Shot on location at Niagara Falls in gorgeous Full Screen TECHNICOLOR. MM is a deceiving wife who wants her husband (Cotton) dead! River of NO Return (1954) with Robert Mitchum is a Western Drama magnificently filmed WideScreen (Anamorphic for HDTV's) TECHNICOLOR movie. Marilyn a saloon singer, Mitchum a farmer & his son's only escape from an Indian attack & vengence for being left behind is on a raft down the "River of No Return". Let's Make Love (1960) with Ives Montand is a Comedy Drama filmed in WideScreen (also Anamorphic for HDTVs) TECHNICOLOR. Montand is a well known playboy billionaire looking for that girl who wants him for himself. Not his money. MM a struggling actress becomes that girl unknowing of his image. Marilyn was captured on film forever but now her true beauty & talent explode off the screen with these restored DVD beauties. This Diamond Collection Volume 2 continues to show us the beauty, vulneribility & talent of Marilyn Monroe. These's DVD's are the best sampling of Marilyn's eternal stardom, total audience appeal & obsession for her. MM is totally delightful & amazing in all these early films. She always steals the scenes, lights up the screen & audiences always want more of Marilyn!!! She can act (Comedy, Drama) dance, sing, & win our hearts. If you ever wondered about Hollywood phenomenon you can now see for yourself the true talent & beauty of Marilyn Monroe. The Bonus Features on these DVD's include; Restoration Comparison, Still Gallery and Theatrical Trailers. So sit back & experience the joy of this Diamond Collection Volume II & the legendary star immortalized forever on theses DVD's. Enjoy.