Why a Hollywood musical starring Marilyn Monroe became a lightning rod for off-screen scandal.

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Let's Make Love was intended to capitalize on Marilyn Monroe's massive success, but it became a production nightmare defined by casting struggles, language barriers, and a high-profile affair. While critics were divided, the film remains a fascinating artifact of 1960s studio maneuvering and the intense pressures of Hollywood stardom.

The 1960 musical Let's Make Love was born from 20th Century Fox's desire to force Marilyn Monroe to fulfill a four-film contract signed in 1955. Originally titled The Billionaire, the project was conceived by screenwriter Norman Krasna, who envisioned a story about a wealthy playboy satirized in a theater revue. Krasna initially hoped to cast actors like Gregory Peck, Gary Cooper, or James Stewart, believing their lack of musical experience would provide comedic value.

Gregory Peck was originally attached to the lead but withdrew after the script was expanded to emphasize Monroe's role. Following rejections from stars like Rock Hudson and Cary Grant, the role went to French actor Yves Montand. Montand faced immense stress, as he did not speak English and had to learn his lines through translation. Production was further hampered by two major industry strikes—the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America—which halted filming for over a month.

During production, rumors of an affair between Monroe and Montand became rampant, fueled by the fact that both their spouses were away. Fox executives actively manipulated these reports to generate publicity, even featuring the pair in a sensual pose on the cover of Life magazine. Despite the intense media attention, the film was a financial disappointment, earning only $6.54 million domestically. Monroe later described the role as the worst of her career, and Arthur Miller, who worked on the script, famously compared his efforts to improve it to 'putting plaster on a peg leg.'

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