Unsung of the Screen: Anita Loos (Post Four) Pt. 2

In 1951, Anita would write the stage adaption of the famed French writer, Colette's novel Gigi. The play opened on Broadway on November 24, 1951 and ran until May 31, 1952 (this was also the play that would first put future screen legend Audrey Hepburn on the map). She would continue working on more successful adaptions throughout the 1950s. In 1953, Twentieth Century-Fox released another film adaptation of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (the most successful of all adaptations and one of the most successful Hollywood films in general) starring Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe.

Even though Anita had nothing to do with production, the film created a larger profile for her and allowed her to live a slightly more lavish life. The sequel to Blondes, Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (based on the book she had written two years after Blondes) was released in 1955 as well. 

But sadly, in 1956--Anita and her good friend, actress Helen Hayes would both lose their husbands within weeks of each other. John Emerson was 81 years old. 

A first for Aige: Film and Television:

The fifth and final post for this week's Unsung of the Screen will be posted tomorrow, Saturday, July 14, 2012.