Home Town Story

Then Washburn's little sister Katie (Melinda Plowman) enters an old mine to retrieve her new puppy and becomes the victim of a terrible cave-in. The wealthy Mr. McFarland comes to Katie's aid in a very big way, as does big business itself through a number of its mechanical and life-saving products. Hometown Story carries an important message, and it delivers this message in a quite moving and certainly entertaining manner. As for Marilyn Monroe, she plays Washburn's secretary Iris; it is by no means a large part, but she does appear in several scenes. Her acting skills are not very polished at this stage of her career, but she certainly accomplishes her main task of making tight sweaters look absolutely amazing. Alan Hale's character has the hots for Iris, and I cannot help but get a kick out of watching "the Skipper" trying to put the moves on Marilyn Monroe.

It was filmed early in her career and she only has a small role in it. She plays the secretary to a newspaper editor that is trying to take down what he thinks is a corrupt businessman. The story is a typical post-WWII melodrama and doesn't really have any hold any cinematic history other than casting Marilyn.

A must-have for the true Marilyn fan (in DVD, which is rare in the first place), other more popular movies might be better for the casual fan.

Another person to look for is Alan Hale Jr. as the veteran reporter. He played the Skipper on Gilligan's Island years later and is very young here.

Overall, Marilyn fans and film buffs will enjoy, others may just find it boring.

Lynn plays a failed politician, now writing for a newspaper and uncovering the shady dealings in reputable factories. Notable only for the early performance of Marilyn Monroe as secretary Iris, and the emotional playing of Reynolds.

Jeffrey Lynn is also quite good (he was one of the original contenders for the role of Ashley in GONE WITH THE WIND), and turns in a good performance.