But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes is a 1927 novel written by Anita Loos. It is the sequel to her 1925 novel Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The plot follows the further adventures of Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Shaw and is illustrated by Ralph Barton. As a sequel to the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, the 1955 film Gentlemen Marry Brunettes used only the book's name and starred Jane Russell and Jeanne Crain playing characters who were the daughters of Dorothy Shaw. Publication Originally published in 1927, But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes is the sequel to Anita Loos' Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Both books began as sketch series originally published in Harper's Bazaar magazine. Loos had planned on retiring after writing Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in order to care for her partner, John Emerson. However, she had promised Harper's Bazaar a sequel, so Loos and Emerson did not leave for Europe until shortly after the sequel had been published. Plot summary The sequel to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is also narrated by Lorelei, the bubbly blonde; however, she tells the tale of her friend, Dorothy, a bright talented young woman who grew up in a carnival company; she is discovered by Charlie, who helps her find her way to New York City as a young woman. In New York she is introduced to a broker who is to introduce her to Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., so that she might have a chance at becoming one of the Ziegfeld Follies. The broker is thrown off by Dorothy's unique style and personality and does little to refer her to Mr. Ziegfeld. Dorothy takes matters into her own hands and waits outside Mr. Ziegfeld's office and lands the position without any help. Dorothy marries Lester, a saxophone player from the Follies; she soon finds that marriage is not everything she wanted it to be... Major characters Dorothy — Protagonist, an eccentric young woman with much talent, wit and independence. Charlie — Discovered Dorothy when she was in a reform school after leaving the circus. Dorothy's second husband. Mr. Ziegfeld — The founder of the famous Ziegfeld Follies, gives Dorothy a job. Lester — Saxophone player, marries Dorothy Gloria — Dorothy's friend Jerry — Violent background, hired to kill Lester Claude — Dorothy's new lover Critical analysis Both Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes were viewed by female scholars as celebration bordering on satire. Gentlemen Marry Brunettes is often considered the