Marilyn Monroe
Born Norma Jean Morntenson, June 1, 1926
Marilyn Monroe is undisputedly the world’s most famous screen siren. Her face and name are truly iconic, recognised by generations of people world wide. Images such as those painted by Andy Warhol are hung in world famous art galleries and are bought by collectors for huge amounts of money. The world still loves Marilyn Monroe and delights in her image, her beauty. For some the attraction lies solely in that - the image. Images of Marilyn's face and figure radiate a sensuality that is tangible, that seems to live on beyond her. Monroe epitomises glamour and femininity and at the same time, she can appear strong, yet vulnerable. Beautiful without being intimidating, Marilyn is loved by women as well as men - her beauty doesn't seem to cause jealousy or resentment in women, instead women are intrigued and in awe or her beauty as something to aspire to and admire.
Marilyn’s upbeat beauty and radiance was coupled with a real life vulnerability, which together have left an intriguing and irresistible legacy for decades of fans. Her childhood was spent partly in orphanages and foster homes. It was not an especially happy time for the young Marilyn, known then as Norma-Jean. To escape this life, Marilyn married a childhood sweetheart Jimmy Dougherty in 1942 at the age of just 16. The marriage broke down four years later by which time Jimmy had joined the marines and Marilyn had begun to find work as a model.
The camera loved Marilyn and she radiated sex appeal from the start. Early images show a pretty and confident looking young woman who won the love of the camera from the start. Not instantly recognisable, early shots show Marilyn with darker hair, an almost reddish brown. Many of the shots were risqué for the time as Marilyn posed seductively in the nude for certain photos. In 1946 she had her break and signed a contract with Twentieth Century Fox. Monroe adopted the short platinum blonde locks synonymous with her image, and made her way to stardom.
Marilyn Monroe appeared in over thirty films. Amongst them, the musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Some Like it Hot, and her last completed film, The Misfits. During her career, I think it's fair to say that Marilyn was seen more as a sex symbol and glamorous screen presence than as a serious actress of merit. Her acting though, did win her some accolades and awards, and personally, Marilyn strove to improve her acting and to become a recognised talent. Since her death, critics have acknowledged that in fact, Marilyn Monroe was a truly talented actress with a skill for comedy and drama.
Marilyn Monroe's personal life was scattered with disappointment and disillusion. She married a total of three times, at 16 to Jimmy Dougherty. Marilyn's next husband was American baseball superstar Joe DiMaggio, with whom she suffered a rocky marriage, but remained close friends with until her death. The marriage took place in 1954 and lasted just 274 days. Monroe's third marriage (1956 - 1961) was to playwright Arthur Miller. There are much publicised stories of abortions, miscarriages and addiction to barbiturates and alcohol as Marilyn appeared to struggle with her fame, insecurities, aspirations and disappointments in her personal life. Marilyn was loved and genuinely cared for by the public and fellow movie stars of the time, as she is loved today.
Marilyn Monroe remains a true Hollywood legend.
Marilyn Monroe's Films
Something's Got to Give (Never completed before Marilyn's death)(1962)
The Misfits (1961)
Let's Make Love (1960)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
The Prince and the Showgirl (1957)
Bus Stop (1956)
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)
River of No Return (1954)
How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Niagara (1953)
Monkey Business (1952)
Don't Bother to Knock (1952)
We're Not Married! (1952)
Clash by Night (1952)
Let's Make It Legal (1951)
Love Nest (1951)
As Young as You Feel (1951)
Home Town Story (1951)
Right Cross (1950)
All About Eve (1950)
The Fireball (1950)
The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
A Ticket to Tomahawk (1950)
Love Happy (1949)
Ladies of the Chorus (1948)
Green Grass of Wyoming (1948)
Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! (1948)
You Were Meant for Me (1948)
Dangerous Years (1947)
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (1947)
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