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What was the name of the 1955 comedy film starring Tom Ewell and Marilyn Monroe, in which Marilyn stood over a subway grating and the wind caused her skirt to blow up to her face?

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SEVEN-YEAR ITCH - entertainment illustration
SEVEN-YEAR ITCH — entertainment

This 1955 romantic comedy, directed by Billy Wilder, features one of the most indelible moments in cinema history. The story centers on Richard Sherman, a middle-aged publishing executive played by Tom Ewell, who sends his wife and son away for the summer to escape the New York City heat. Left to his own devices, he becomes infatuated with a beautiful and naive actress and model, portrayed by Marilyn Monroe, who moves into the apartment upstairs. The film explores his fantasies and anxieties about marital infidelity after seven years of marriage, a concept that gives the movie its name.

The most famous scene, which has since become a pop culture touchstone, shows Monroe's character standing over a subway grate. As a train passes below, the gust of wind blows her white dress up, and she playfully tries to hold it down. This iconic moment was filmed on Lexington Avenue in New York City and instantly became a legendary image. The scene itself was a publicity sensation, drawing thousands of spectators during its initial filming.

Tom Ewell was reprising his successful role from the original Broadway production of the same name. While the film was a major box office success, its production was not without drama; the public nature of the subway grate scene reportedly contributed to the end of Monroe's marriage to baseball star Joe DiMaggio. Despite the on-set and off-screen turmoil, the film cemented its place in cinematic history, largely due to the unforgettable image of Monroe and her billowing white dress.