Let's Make It Legal (1951)

54% of users liked it
(485 ratings)

Let's Make It Legal begins at the end--the end of the long marriage between beautiful grandmother Miriam (Claudette Colbert) and her chronic-gambler husband Hugh (Macdonald Carey). Barbara (Barbara Bates), the daughter of the couple, hopes to bring her parents back together, which proves to be a… More Let's Make It Legal begins at the end--the end of the long marriage between beautiful grandmother Miriam (Claudette Colbert) and her chronic-gambler husband Hugh (Macdonald Carey). Barbara (Barbara Bates), the daughter of the couple, hopes to bring her parents back together, which proves to be a difficult proposition when Miriam's old flame Victor (Zachary Scott), now a millionaire, arrives in town. Hugh tries all sorts of comic strategies to win his ex-wife back, but to no avail. Ultimately, Miriam must choose between the financially solvent Victor and the impishly irresponsible Hugh. This being a comedy, it isn't hard to figure who's going to be headed to the altar at fade-out time. Let's Make It Legal was partly designed to showcase two of Fox's up-and-coming contract players: Robert Wagner and Marilyn Monroe. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Richard Sale
Written By: I. A. L. Diamond, F. Hugh Herbert
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 6, 1951 Wide
On DVD: Apr 20, 2004
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
A mostly worthless film

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Featured Audience Ratings

Spencer S

Remember the golden days of the 40's and 50's, with all the drama and frivolity of musicals and comedies. Yeah, this didn't fit into that category at all. A short, petty "comedy" about the eccentricities of divorce, and the beginnings of the lives of… More
Remember the golden days of the 40's and 50's, with all the drama and frivolity of musicals and comedies. Yeah, this didn't fit into that category at all. A short, petty "comedy" about the eccentricities of divorce, and the beginnings of the lives of newlyweds, there was little to comment on kindly. It was so short the plot had nowhere to develop, the comedy, when someone tried for a laugh, was lacking, and the cast of brilliant stars (Claudette Colbert, Robert Wagner, Marilyn Monroe) weren't given a foot to stand on. Unless you're a diehard Monroe fan, steer clear of this borefest.

Cast

            Claudette Colbert as Miriam Denham

            Macdonald Carey as Hugh Halsworth

            Zachary Scott as Victor Macfarland

            Barbara Bates as Barbara Denham

            Robert Wagner as Jerry Denham

            Marilyn Monroe as Joyce

            Frank Cady as Ferguson

            Jim Hayward as Gardener

            Carol Savage as Miss Jessup

            Paul Gerrits as Milkman

            Vicki Raaf as Hugh's Secretary

            Ralph Sanford as Police Lieutenant

            Harry Denny as Hotel Manager

            Harry Harvey as Postman

            Betty Jane Bowan as Secretary

            Abe Dinovitch as Laborer

            Kathleen Freeman as Reporter

            Renny McEvoy
            
            Michael Ross as Policeman

            Frank Sully as Laborer

            Beverly Thompson as Reporter

            Wilson Wood as Reporter

            James Magill as Reporter

            Jack Mather as Policeman

            Roger Moore as Reporter
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