The Seven Year Itch (1955)

88% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(22,017 ratings)

Like thousands of other Manhattanites, Tom Ewell annually packs his wife (Evelyn Keyes) and children off to summer vacation, staying behind to work at the office. This particular summer, the lonely Ewell begins fantasizing about the many women he'd foresworn upon getting married (in one of the… More Like thousands of other Manhattanites, Tom Ewell annually packs his wife (Evelyn Keyes) and children off to summer vacation, staying behind to work at the office. This particular summer, the lonely Ewell begins fantasizing about the many women he'd foresworn upon getting married (in one of the fantasies, Ewell and Marguerite Chapman parody the beach rendezvous in From Here to Eternity). He is jolted back to reality when he meets his new neighbor--luscious model Marilyn Monroe. Inviting Monroe to dinner, Ewell intends to sweep her off her feet and into the boudoir. Things don't quite work out that way, thanks to Ewell's clumsiness (and essential decency) and Monroe's naivete. Still, Ewell becomes convinced that his impure thoughts will somehow be transmitted to his vacationing wife and to the rest of the world, leaving him wide open for scandal and ruination. In the original play, the husband and the next-door neighbor did have an affair, but both play and film arrived at the same happy ending, with Ewell and his missus contentedly reunited at summer's end. Featured in the cast of The Seven Year Itch are Robert Strauss as a lascivious handyman, Sonny Tufts as Evelyn Keye's former beau, Donald MacBride as Ewell's glad-handing boss, and veteran Broadway funny man Victor Moore in a cameo as a nervous plumber. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Billy Wilder
Written By: Billy Wilder, George Axelrod
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1955 Limited
On DVD: May 29, 2001
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
What counts is that laughs come thick and fast, that the general entertainment is light and gay.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Although it was directed by Billy Wilder, this 1955 CinemaScope classic sometimes seems presided over by Frank Tashlin, with its satire of 50s puritanism and its use of wimpy Tom Ewell.
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice
So arresting is Monroe's presence that when she's not on-screen, we wait impatiently, wondering, Where have you gone, Mrs. DiMaggio?
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Miss Monroe clearly plays the title role.
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
Very dated and not consistently funny but famous for the iconic Marilyn air-vent shot and a close to the under-wire smuttiness.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
One of Marilyn Monroe's indispensable films.
, Film4
Possibly Marilyn Monroe's finest film. What further recommendation do you need?
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This is probably Monroe's best known film, largely thanks to the scene in which a rush of air from a subway grating sends her skirt flying up around her shoulders.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Ruined by too much interference from insiders and outsiders.
Diana Saenger, About.com
Marilyn Monroe is a temptress in this delightful comedy.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Monroe flaunts her attributes too blatantly, and seems less human because of it, while George Axelrod's play, fresh and risqué in the '50s, now appears a little obvious and over-plotted.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Solid adaptation of the play, but far from Wilder's best.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, San Francisco Examiner
Indispensable.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Spencer S

An explosive comedy for its day, Itch is a fun romp with the help of the most down to earth starlet of the day, Marilyn Monroe. Though she is the main attraction in this romantic tryst, it is Tom Ewell as Richard Sherman who truly carries most of the film with his rare comedy… More
An explosive comedy for its day, Itch is a fun romp with the help of the most down to earth starlet of the day, Marilyn Monroe. Though she is the main attraction in this romantic tryst, it is Tom Ewell as Richard Sherman who truly carries most of the film with his rare comedy sensibilities. Monroe herself is a comedy giant, and in this film isn't always the sexpot or the vain yet charming girl of the down and out. The film is structured in a way that is unfamiliar to that time period, though it's not hard to understand the logic behind it, seeing as how it was written and directed by none other than Billy Wilder. The film is narrated throughout by a bodiless voice that describes much of what happen within Manhattan, as the film is not only a variant of romantic comedies, but also a commentary on the nuclear family. It's not meant to be taken with deliberate seriousness, and many parts are dated because of the way sex is viewed in society has evolved considerably. Still, it's really quite interesting and dare I say it, funny, to watch the devolving state of Richard Sherman, alone in Manhattan without the tether of his family, and all the allure of the voluptuous upstairs neighbor. I'm not going to sit here and deliberately unravel the social commentary of the film, or its importance as one of the first films to displace sex in film, but it really was scandalous for when it was made. During the film nudist colonies are mentioned, adultery is a prevalent theme throughout (and the basis for the film), and Monroe is displayed as a working girl, a Midwesterner who is just trying to make a living and live her life accordingly, but in the process is always attacked by men as she is a buxom blonde. If you love screwball comedies, or just comedy in general, you will love this, as well as any Marilyn fan. It really is a comedy gem.
Jonathan H

It has its charm, but you can really see why Billy Wilder hated working with Marilyn Monroe. Aside from the iconic shot of her dress billowing over a subway grate, there isn't much worth seeing.
AJ V

This is a very funny movie. Although Monroe is on the cover she isn't the main character, so if you're not a fan don't be afraid to see this movie, Ewell is the main character really, and he's a really good actor. This is a must see movie if you're watching… More
This is a very funny movie. Although Monroe is on the cover she isn't the main character, so if you're not a fan don't be afraid to see this movie, Ewell is the main character really, and he's a really good actor. This is a must see movie if you're watching fifties films.
Conner R

Marilyn Monroe is the most seductive, beautiful and honest woman to ever live. This exploits that fact and shows truly how amazing she is, her performance is flawless. While i'm not a fan of the Billy Wilder humor or the performance by Tom Ewell, Marilyn Moroe is just so lovable… More
Marilyn Monroe is the most seductive, beautiful and honest woman to ever live. This exploits that fact and shows truly how amazing she is, her performance is flawless. While i'm not a fan of the Billy Wilder humor or the performance by Tom Ewell, Marilyn Moroe is just so lovable and memorable that it's a small price to pay. Also, this is just a great looking movie even aside from Marilyn.
Jennifer D

Tom Ewell's character's neurotic tendencies got on my nerves. His paranoia really got in the way of the story for me and drove me crazy more than it made me laugh. Surprisingly, Marilyn Monroe's acting and comedy was a lot better and humorous for me than anything else… More
Tom Ewell's character's neurotic tendencies got on my nerves. His paranoia really got in the way of the story for me and drove me crazy more than it made me laugh. Surprisingly, Marilyn Monroe's acting and comedy was a lot better and humorous for me than anything else in the film. With all the things I've heard about this movie I was rather disappointed in the whole thing.
Randy T

Light-hearted comedy about an 'Average Joe' who lets his imagination run free when he discovers that a gorgeous blonde bombshell [Marilyn Monroe] has moved into the apartment above his. As usual, Marilyn's character is ditsy, naive and breathtakingly beautiful. The… More
Light-hearted comedy about an 'Average Joe' who lets his imagination run free when he discovers that a gorgeous blonde bombshell [Marilyn Monroe] has moved into the apartment above his. As usual, Marilyn's character is ditsy, naive and breathtakingly beautiful. The kind of role that both made her famous and ensured she would be forever typecast as the clueless sexpot next door. Though it may not make the Top 100 Films list, <i>The Seven Year Itch</i> does contain one of the most memorable moments in movie history, when Marilyn stands above a subway vent and lets the wind blow her skirt up.
First L

This is what passed for racy back in the 1950s. That one guy (Tom Ewell), who always seems to wind up making out with the hottest chicks of the day (Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn Monroe) in all these light comedies,despite looking a little bit like a lizard, stars as a happily married 39… More
This is what passed for racy back in the 1950s. That one guy (Tom Ewell), who always seems to wind up making out with the hottest chicks of the day (Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn Monroe) in all these light comedies,despite looking a little bit like a lizard, stars as a happily married 39 year old father of one, who's wife and kid go away for the summer leaving him alone to pursue what every man from manhattan seems to pursue when their wives go away: women. Well, he decides not to pursue them (while all the men around him become "summer bachelors"), demonstrating his moral willpower, that is until marilyn monroe moves in upstairs. Marilyn is like some 22 year old 'lolita', as Sherman projects his fantasies upon her. In fact, this could be called the comedy version of Lolita. The guy is middle-aged and trying to quit smoking and drinking and yet it seems like it's all he does. Meanwhile, she's either completely unaware of his desires or just completely unthreatened by him, teasing him and egging him on (features the famous scene where marilyn stands over the grate and the breeze blows her skirt up a little). The movie makes references to the pop culture of the day: the creature from the black lagoon, Captain Video and even oddly references marilyn monroe. Actually, it is kind of racy, especially when Marilyn removes the boards separating her upstairs apartment from his downstairs apartment. The Seven Year Itch winds up being a very cute movie, and the relationship between the two stars winds up being more complex than initially suggested.
Jennifer X

This movie reminds me quite a bit of American Beauty, but less serious of course. It's essentially a suburban boredom movie, a middle-aged man's journey against habit and back again. Because we all attempt to act out but boring old habits are what we fall back on. The air… More
This movie reminds me quite a bit of American Beauty, but less serious of course. It's essentially a suburban boredom movie, a middle-aged man's journey against habit and back again. Because we all attempt to act out but boring old habits are what we fall back on. The air vent scene is overhyped though. Marilyn Monroe all but makes this movie which is quite a feat for her because usually she plays an amusing sidebar to the main action, but she shows she's quite a good comic actress, orgasmic wails and all. And being so so sexy doesn't hurt too much either.
Candy R

Great characters. Very funny! About a married man who is obsessed with the woman who lives in the apartment above. Famous dress scene.
A B

This Monroe classic still stands up as a movie today.
xGary X

A mildly amusing old fashioned sex comedy that's far fluffier than much of Wilder's other work. Monroe is memorable though, and it features one of her most famous images.
Dannielle A

Now this was really, really funny! I love how the main character kept imagining things and talking to himself. It made it seem really true to life and interesting. Marilyn Monroe's character was a really annoying dumb blonde. I hope to see her in another movie with a little bit… More
Now this was really, really funny! I love how the main character kept imagining things and talking to himself. It made it seem really true to life and interesting. Marilyn Monroe's character was a really annoying dumb blonde. I hope to see her in another movie with a little bit more wit.
Joey N

This movie is surprisingly bad. Even the potentially amusing begining with the comparison between modern mariage rituals and that of primative savages didn't sit that well. It does give us Marilyn Monroe's famous sidewald vent-up-the-skirt seqeunce though.
Lizzy B

Surprisingly upbeat and funnier than I had expected. The humor can get a bit cheesy and the main character talks to himself throughout the whole film, but the jokes are translatable to present day audiences and a lot of it is quite hysterical. This was fun.
Sarah B

Marilyn Monroe at her most adorable. Don't like the subject matter though.
Sunil J

Marilyn Monroe is as hot and adorable as ever but this movie is really just okay.
Juli R

I absolutely love this movie. I've always been a huge Monroe fan. This is one of her best.
Sarah P

I thought this movie was very funny and sweet - an enjoyable watch.
monty h

Marilyn's best role and best film has the gorgeous one playing a young woman living in the upstairs apartment of a married man. The man is prone to daydreaming about being a real ladies man but when he finally meets Marilyn, comedic results happen quickly and often. A hilarious… More
Marilyn's best role and best film has the gorgeous one playing a young woman living in the upstairs apartment of a married man. The man is prone to daydreaming about being a real ladies man but when he finally meets Marilyn, comedic results happen quickly and often. A hilarious film that shot Monroe to stardom. You can't go wrong with this one. <div style="width:298px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/link/9088398"><img src="http://www.flixster.com/servlet/embed/photo/9088398.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com">Flixster</a> - Share Movies</div></div> The Girl: When it gets hot like this, you know what I do. I keep my undies in the icebox! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Girl: I think it's just elegant to have an imagination. I just have no imagination at all. I have lots of other things, but I have no imagination.
Tom S

Some great jokes, but Ewell is annoying.