#leo robin

🇺🇸 | July 15, 1953

directed by Howard Hawks

screenplay Charles Lederer

theatre play by Joseph Fields

novel by Anita Loos

lyrics by Leo Robin

produced by 20th Century Fox

starring Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid, Tommy Noonan

1h31 | Comedy, Romance, Musical

𐄂 not watched

“Venus De Milo was noted for her charms, 

But strictly between us, 

You are cuter than Venus,

And what’s more, you’ve got arms.”

"Hot Voodoo" / "You Little So-and-So" (1932)

Marlene Dietrich with Nat W. Finston & His Paramount Orchestra (from the soundtrack of "Blonde Venus")

"Blonde Venus" is a 1932 American pre-Code film produced for Paramount starring Marlene Dietrich, Herbert Marshall, & Cary Grant. Dietrich performs the musical numbers, including the now-obscure "You Little So-and-So" (music and lyrics by Sam Coslow & Leo Robin) & the film’s  infamous "Hot Voodoo" (music by Ralph Rainger, lyrics by Sam Coslow), which is nearly 8 minutes in length and mostly instrumental, featuring jazz trumpet & drums. Dietrich sings the lyrics toward the end of this sequence, which takes place in a nightclub.

Diamond: “the King of Gemstones”

Considered by many to be the “King of Birthstones,” the diamond is the gem for April. Diamonds stand for love, prosperity, and endurance.

Diamonds are the hardest mineral on our planet. Scoring a perfect 10 on Moh’s Scale of Hardness, the fabled diamond is four times harder than its closest competitors. A diamond can scratch other gemstones, but only a diamond can scratch another diamond. No wonder the name was taken from the Greek word adamas, meaning “unbreakable” or “invincible.”

Diamonds are formed deep in the earth, at high temperature and pressure. Before the natural origin of the gem was understood, it was believed diamonds were created by bolts of lighting, or from the tears of gods. (The Sanskrit word for diamond, vajira, also means “lighting.”) 

Actresses Lillie Langtry, Mae West, and Elizabeth Taylor, each in her own era, had fabulous diamond jewelry that became part of their personae. Mae West once observed “I have always felt a gift diamond shines so much better than one you buy for yourself.”

There are many famous references to diamonds in literature and film. A poem by Emily Dickinson begins:

When Diamonds are a Legend,  And Diadems – a Tale – I Brooch and Earrings for Myself, Do sow, and Raise for sale –

The famous  jazz song “Diamond’s are a Girl’s Best Friend” by Jule Styne and Leo Robin was sung by Carol Channing in the original 1949 Broadway production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, then by Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 film version.

Sweet Pea and Daisy

The birth month flowers for April are the sweet pea and the daisy. The sweet pea stands for blissfulness, and can also mean farewell. The daisy signifies innocence, loyalty in love, and secrets kept between friends. The informal quality of the daisy may be why it is linked to friendship. As Kathleen Kelly says in the 1998 film You’ve Got Mail, “Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flower?”

The E. Nash 1908 birthday postcard for April features a round-cut diamond and white Easter lilies beneath the rays of a golden star. Since Easter often falls in April, one can understand the association between this month and this flower. However, over time the flowers for the different months have become more standardized, and for many decades white lilies, particularly the lily of the valley, have been recognized symbols for May.  

Towards the upper-right of the postcard, it reads “A Happy Birthday to You.” The verse at the bottom reads:

The emblem of purity is the lily White And the Diamond sweet innocence your guiding light. May your Star up in the firmament shine ever, ever bright.

My dearest Aunt Vi was born in April, and I celebrate her life this month. Happy birthday to all April babies!