The Seven Year Itch Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A married dude whose family leaves for summer gets distracted by a blonde upstairs, mostly in his head, proving that resisting temptation is hard even when the temptation is mostly imagined.

🍿 The Seven Year Itch: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Summer Bachelorhood

Richard Sherman sends his wife and son off to Maine for their summer vacation but remains in New York City for work. He grapples with the concept of the ‘seven-year itch’ after reading about it in a book he’s editing, a theory suggesting infidelity becomes more likely after seven years of marriage. Richard is determined to remain faithful despite his newfound freedom.

The Girl Upstairs

Richard meets ‘The Girl,’ a charming and somewhat naive blonde who moves into the apartment above his. She becomes a source of both temptation and fascination for Richard, triggering his overactive imagination. Their interactions, while mostly innocent, ignite a series of comedic fantasies where Richard envisions himself as a suave, irresistible figure.

Imagination vs. Reality

As Richard spends more time with The Girl, his fantasies become increasingly elaborate and absurd. He imagines seduction scenes, confrontations with his wife, and jealous scenarios involving his neighbor, Tom MacKenzie. These fantasies blur the line between reality and imagination, showcasing Richard’s internal struggle with temptation and guilt.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell): A married man with an overactive imagination who is tempted by his new neighbor while his family is away for the summer.
• The Girl (Marilyn Monroe): A naive and innocent model who moves into the apartment upstairs and becomes the object of Richard Sherman’s fantasies.
• Helen Sherman (Evelyn Keyes): Richard’s wife who is away on summer vacation and remains unaware of her husband’s temptations.
• Dr. Brubaker (Oscar Homolka): A psychiatrist whose book on marital infidelity fuels Richard’s anxieties and fantasies.
• Tom MacKenzie (Sonny Tufts): The Shermans’ neighbor who is suspected to have an affair with Richard’s wife, Helen.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• The Girl: “When it gets hot like this, you know what I do? I keep my undies in the icebox!” – The Girl innocently explains her method for dealing with the summer heat in New York City.
• The Girl: “I think that’s just elegant!” – A phrase the Girl uses to describe things she finds particularly pleasing or sophisticated, showcasing her naiveté.
• Richard Sherman: “This is the rat race, and I’m determined to be a rat!” – Richard declares his intention to resist temptation, ironically embracing the very behavior he intends to avoid.
• Dr. Brubaker: “At fifty dollars an hour, all my cases interest me.” – The psychiatrist’s dryly humorous response when Richard asks if his case is interesting, highlighting the doctor’s pragmatic approach.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.8M
• Domestic Gross: $8M (estimated)
• Worldwide Gross: $21,024

💥 The Seven Year Itch Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I finally watched ‘The Seven Year Itch’ and wow, Marilyn Monroe just steals every scene she’s in! That subway grate scene is iconic for a reason. Honestly, I found Tom Ewell a bit annoying with all the talking to himself. The movie made me think about how different relationships were back then, and the whole ‘temptation’ thing. I was laughing and cringing all at once. It’s a classic for sure, but definitely shows its age!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Marilyn Monroe”
  • “Admirers of classic Hollywood comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in films exploring themes of marriage and temptation”
  • “Those who enjoy Billy Wilder’s directorial style”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Mild innuendo”
  • “Stereotypical portrayals of women (by modern standards)”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “While remembered for Marilyn Monroe’s iconic subway grate scene, the film itself feels dated. Tom Ewell’s constant monologues, stemming from its stage play origins, become tiresome. Monroe shines, but the overall experience lacks the spark of Billy Wilder’s other comedies.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “A product of its time, ‘The Seven Year Itch’ still provides a glimpse into 1950s anxieties and desires. Marilyn Monroe is radiant and her comedic timing is impeccable, but Tom Ewell’s performance can be grating for modern audiences.
• Letterboxd: “Marilyn’s charm is undeniable, but the film’s humor feels somewhat thin. The fantasy sequences are creative, but Ewell’s character can be overly neurotic, making it hard to fully invest in his dilemma.

Audience Reactions

Marilyn Monroe’s performance is captivating and unforgettable.: Viewers consistently praise Marilyn Monroe’s comedic timing and beauty.

The subway grate scene remains iconic and visually stunning.: Many appreciate the film for its legendary subway scene.

Tom Ewell’s acting is somewhat over the top.: Some find the constant inner monologues irritating.

Overall Consensus: A classic comedy primarily remembered for Marilyn Monroe’s iconic performance, though some find the humor dated and Tom Ewell’s character grating.

Awards

1. Golden Globe Award (Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy)- 1956
2. Golden Globe Award (Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)- 1956

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Billy Wilder wanted Walter Matthau for the role of Richard Sherman, but 20th Century Fox insisted on Tom Ewell, who had played the part on Broadway.”
• “The famous subway grate scene was filmed on location, but the noise from the crowd made it unusable. It was re-shot on a soundstage.”
• “The film is based on a play by George Axelrod, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Billy Wilder.”
• “Marilyn Monroe’s then-husband, Joe DiMaggio, was reportedly upset by the filming of the subway grate scene, contributing to their divorce shortly after.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Seven Year Itch?

The Seven Year Itch is available for purchase or rental on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services that require subscriptions. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available through online retailers such as Amazon and major brick-and-mortar stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Seven Year Itch, you might like these similar films:

• Some Like It Hot (1959): Another classic comedy directed by Billy Wilder starring Marilyn Monroe, known for its humor and memorable performances.
• How to Marry a Millionaire (1953): Features Marilyn Monroe in a comedic role exploring themes of love, wealth, and finding happiness, similar to the lighthearted tone of The Seven Year Itch.
• Play It Again, Sam (1972): A later comedy film with a similar premise of a man dealing with temptation and fantasy while trying to navigate his love life.
• Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961): A romantic comedy-drama, that features a memorable leading lady, exploring themes of finding oneself and unconventional relationships.

🛒 The Seven Year Itch Related Products

• Marilyn Monroe: The Complete Last Sitting: A collection of Bert Stern’s photographs of Marilyn Monroe from their last photo shoot in 1962. This book includes many unseen photographs, offering a raw and intimate look at the iconic actress. A must-have for Monroe fans.
• Marilyn Monroe Diamond Glitter Funko Pop!: A collectible Funko Pop! figure featuring Marilyn Monroe in a sparkling diamond glitter finish. This figure captures Monroe’s iconic style and is perfect for display or collecting. A perfect addition to any Monroe fan’s collection.
• Marilyn Monroe Wall Art Canvas Print: A beautiful canvas print featuring Marilyn Monroe in her iconic pose from ‘The Seven Year Itch’. High-quality print on canvas, ready to hang and add a touch of classic Hollywood glamour to any room. Adds character and nostalgic value to any room.
• Marilyn Monroe Movie Legends: The Seven Year Itch [DVD]: A special edition DVD of “The Seven Year Itch,” including behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and commentary. Dive deeper into the making of this classic comedy and learn more about Marilyn Monroe and Billy Wilder.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Seven Year Itch features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Piano Concerto No. 2” – performed by Sergei Rachmaninoff
• “That Old Black Magic” – performed by Harold Arlen

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Marilyn Monroe’s Statue In Palm Springs California From “7 Year Itch”

Ever wondered what became of that famous pose from ‘The Seven Year Itch’? Check out the massive Marilyn Monroe statue in Palm Springs! It’s pretty cool to see how a single movie scene can inspire such a huge monument.

Never-Before-Seen Footage Of Marilyn Monroe During Filming Of ‘Seven Year Itch’

Want to see something truly special? This video has never-before-seen footage of Marilyn filming *that* skirt scene! It’s amazing to get a peek behind the curtain and see how they actually made movie magic back then.

DYK (Did You Know) that in The Seven Year Itch..

Think you know everything about ‘The Seven Year Itch’? Think again! This video is packed with fun, little-known facts that’ll make you see the movie in a whole new light. I was surprised by a couple of them!

Marilyn Monroe In The Bath Scene – “The 7 Year Itch” Rare Censored 1955 Footage

Did you know that some scenes from ‘The Seven Year Itch’ were considered too risque for the 1950s? This video shows a censored version of Marilyn’s bath scene and provides historical context to film censorship in the 1950s.

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