Movie Scene in '53 - Marilyn Monroe was able to draw Middletonians to one of her unheralded films in 1953 but her lavishly announced "Gentleman Prefer Blondes" could not make the city’s list of top movies last year. "Niagra," which boasted the winner of "Showmen’s Trade Review's" 1953 leading actress award pushed "Blondes" right off the Colonial Theater’s lineup of five leading money-makers. On national polls, the musical ranked among the leading ten productions, while "Niagra" did not rank. Middletown's two leading films were "From Here to Eternity" and "Shane." Local residents showed conformity in these choices, for both movies were perched high on the nationwide surveys. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis were easily the strongest local magnets in 1953. All three of their films made enough money to rate on the Paramount Theater's report of five top productions...

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