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Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, dir. Howard Hawks, USA 1953, 91 min.
Book tickets
"One of Hawks’ favourite remarks is that when he’s found a subject, he first of all tries to make a comedy out of it; then, if he doesn’t succeed, it’s a serious film." – Jacques Rivette
One of the earliest proponents for a consideration of Howard Hawk's work as that of a singular artist, rather than a hired hand, Jacques Rivette's appreciation for Hawks cinema is perhaps most famously exemplified in his 1953 piece The Genius of Howard Hawks for Cahiers du cinéma.
However, Rivette's appreciation of Hawk's work, wouldn't be reserved solely for his time as a critic, as Rivette would cite his work at large as a major source of inspiration for the making of Céline and Julie Go Boating, with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes being the clearest parallel.
A master of every genre he turned his hand too, Howard Hawk's 1953 musical is certainly no exception. A glorious technicolor tale of friendship, centred upon the transatlantic exploits of two-lounge singers in search of love and all that comes with it. Featuring career-best turns from Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a musical-comedy par excellence and a delightfully heady cocktail of cynicism and naiveté.
One of the earliest proponents for a consideration of Howard Hawk's work as that of a singular artist, rather than a hired hand, Jacques Rivette's appreciation for Hawks cinema is perhaps most famously exemplified in his 1953 piece The Genius of Howard Hawks for Cahiers du cinéma.
However, Rivette's appreciation of Hawk's work, wouldn't be reserved solely for his time as a critic, as Rivette would cite his work at large as a major source of inspiration for the making of Céline and Julie Go Boating, with Gentlemen Prefer Blondes being the clearest parallel.
A master of every genre he turned his hand too, Howard Hawk's 1953 musical is certainly no exception. A glorious technicolor tale of friendship, centred upon the transatlantic exploits of two-lounge singers in search of love and all that comes with it. Featuring career-best turns from Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a musical-comedy par excellence and a delightfully heady cocktail of cynicism and naiveté.
Book tickets
06:30 pm
Mon, 17 Mar 2025
Cinema 1
Ticket information
- All tickets that do not require ID (full price, disabled, income support) can be printed at home or stored in email
- For aged-based concession tickets (under 25, student) please bring relevant ID to collect at the front desk before the event.
Access information
Cinema 1
- Both our Cinemas have step free access from The Mall and are accessible by ramp
- We have 1 wheelchair allocated space with a seat for a companion
- All seats are hard back, have a crushed velvet feel and they do not recline
- These are our seat size dimensions: W 42 x D 45 x H 52
- Arm rest either side of the seat dimensions: L 27 x W 7 x H 20
for the following requirements:
- We have unassigned seating. If you require a specific seat, please reserve this in advance
- Free for visitors where ticket prices are a barrier, please email
Screening as part of Mondays for Mermbers, our members-only events series.
🎥 Screening: 6:30pm
🗣️ Free drinks reception: 8:00pm
Even Info:
• This event is exclusively for ICA Members.
• Each ICA Member is entitled to bring up to two guests.
• No food or drink is available before the event.
Sunday 23 March, 2pm
Céline and Julie Go Boating on 35mm
Jacques Rivette's joyously madcap tale of theatricality, paranoia and la vie parisienne is an entrancing examination of the nature of filmmaking and film watching.
Members+ and all Patrons gain free entry to all cinema screenings, exhibitions, talks, and more.
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no. 236848.