Let's Make it Legal (1951)

A still-gorgeous grandmother (Claudette Colbert) divorces her husband Hugh (Macdonald Carey) because he's a compulsive gambler. Their daughter (Barbara Bates) does all she can to get them back together, but problems arise when Victor (Zachary Scott), Mom's high school sweetheart-turned-millionaire, suddenly arrives in town. Even though a breathtaking beauty (Marilyn Monroe) is hot on his trail, Vic only has eyes for "Grandma"- driving ex-husband Hugh to the brink of comic insanity as he wages a wild and unforgettable battle to win his wife back.

Great old Hollywood comedy

A very funny movie with Marily Monroe in a small but sexy role. Even if you're too young to remember all the actors it's a great light comedy fit for the entire family. There's also an optional commentary by Robert Wagner who appears in the film. Nice, light, funny movie. March 9, 2008

Colbert delights in B-comedy charmer

Claudette Colbert adds her special charms to LET'S MAKE IT LEGAL, a charming B-comedy from Twentieth Century-Fox, which also features Marilyn Monroe in one of her early "cheesecake cameo" roles.

Claudette Colbert plays Miriam, who is in the final stages of divorcing her gambling husband Hugh (Macdonald Carey). But Hugh wants to stay married and is willing to pull every trick in the book to ensure Miriam stays with him. Competition arrives in the form of Victor (Zachary Scott), Miriam's highschool sweetheart, a self-made millionaire who quickly begins wooing her all over again. It's going to be the battle to end all battles as Hugh and Victor go head-to-head in their efforts to win Miriam.

Barbara Bates and a young Robert Wagner co-star. Marilyn Monroe's role of Joyce, a client of Hugh's, is quite small, but Fox has issued this film and a few others as supplements to the `Marilyn Monroe Diamond Collection' box sets. Fans will enjoy it, but fans of Claudette Colbert will love it even more. January 4, 2006

Love Triangle

Let's Make it Legal is a film about a couple who are divorcing. The wife (Claudette Colbert) has decided that she has had enough of her husband's (MacDonald Carey) gambling and calls it quits. It is obvious that he still loves her and their grown daughter (Barbara Bates) does all she can to fix them up again. However, an old flame (Zachary Scott), now a well-known political figure, comes into town and practically sweeps the newly single wife off her feet, creating a stir in the family.

Although this film has been entered into the Marilyn Monroe collection and features her photo on the cover, this is one of her early roles and therefore she is hardly in the film. Her part is as a client of Carey. She performs the way a new actress would, slightly forced but undeniably sexily.

The real star of this film is Claudette Colbert, obviously older than she was in her prime but still quite beautiful. She plays her part confidently as the epitome of a desirable woman who takes care of her family with ease and still has time to do the things that make her happy.

Zachary Scott is attractive and somewhat reminiscent of Clark Gable, a co-star of Colbert's in several films. However, he does not have the same chemistry with her that Gable did.

MacDonald Carey, however, does. Even in the few scenes in which his character gets along with his former wife, sparks fly.

Barbara Bates is very beautiful as the daughter of the separated pair. She plays her part sympathetically as the new adult who cannot do anything for herself. She is appropriately childlike.

Overall, this film is better than one might expect. It is peppered with witty dialogue and a sweet plot. It is certainly no masterpiece, but it is a nice way to spend 76 minutes. December 27, 2005

Lets Make It Legal

What a delightful movie set in the time when couples still slept in separate single beds. The idea seems ritzy for that time period and so common place now. The cast is excellent. Marilyn Monroe has a very small part. You notice Marilyn and keep thinking about her even after the film is over. I have so enjoyed this movie and I hope you will too, but only if you like the older movies. September 13, 2005

Twentieth Century Fox Rip Off

Looking at the cover art (with images exclusively of Marilyn Monroe), you would probably think that this is a Marilyn Monroe movie. It is not. She has a very small part in the movie, is on screen only briefly, and has virtually nothing to do with the plot. Aside from the Marilyn Monroe issue, I found the movie un-funny, boring and forgettable. I'm going to throw my copy away, so as not to burden anyone else with it. I don't know, but I'll bet that "Let's Make It Legal" was not the original title of the movie, but was added later to make it sound "Marilyn-esque". Don't get ripped off like me! May 31, 2004

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