“I’m not interested in money, I just want to be wonderful.” – Marilyn Monroe
Born Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926, the woman we all know and love as Marilyn Monroe, died fifty years ago today. She was only 36 years old.
“Sometimes I think it would be easier to avoid old age, to die, young, but then you’d never complete your life, would you? You’d never wholly know yourself…” – Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was a model, an actress and a singer. She is a sex symbol and a cultural icon known around the world. Her weight fluctuated, but she didn’t seem as concerned about it as everyone else did.
According to Wikipedia, “Monroe had three marriages, all of which ended in divorce. The first was to James Dougherty, the second to Joe DiMaggio, and lastly to Arthur Miller. It is claimed she was briefly married to writer Robert “Bob” Slatzer. She is alleged to have had affairs with both John and Robert Kennedy. Marlon Brando, in his autobiography Songs My Mother Taught Me, claimed that he had had a relationship with her, and that they remained friends until her death.”
She starred in some classic movies as How to Marry a Millionaire, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like it Hot, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Although most people remember her breathy performance of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President”, I loved hearing her sing, “I Wanna Be Loved By You.”
So many celebrities and famous people have tried to emulate Marilyn Monroe. Most famously was Anna Nicole Smith. Mariah Carey named her daughter Monroe, after Marilyn Monroe. Also, Carey purchased a white baby grand piano once owned by Marilyn Monroe. She paid $662,500 for it an a Christie’s Auction.
But most recently, the beautiful and talented Michelle Williams gave a touching performance as Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn.
She was nominated for both an Oscar and a Screen Actor’s Guild Award for her performance. Although she didn’t win these two awards, she did win a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the blonde bombshell.
If you haven’t seen it (like me, but I’m going to rent it next week), then here’s a brief description of what the movie is about. According to www.IMDb.com, “Colin Clark, an employee of Sir Laurence Olivier’s, documents the tense interaction between Olivier and Marilyn Monroe during production of The Prince and the Showgirl.”
Title Card: In 1956, at the height of her career, Marilyn Monroe went to England to make a film with Sir Laurence Olivier. While there she met a young man named Colin Clark, who wrote a diary about the making of the film. This is their true story.
Marilyn Monroe: Don’t forget me.
Colin Clark: As if I could.
[last lines]
Colin Clark: Here’s what I remember most: her embrace. Her belief in me. And the joy she gave. That was her gift. When I think of her now, I think of that time when a dream came true. And my only talent was not to close my eyes.
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death, and like most people, I believe she died too young. Her death was ruled a suicide by accidental overdose, but who really knows what happened, right? We could all speculate until we turn blue in the face. But let’s not dwell on the circumstances surrounding her death (suicide vs. homicide), just go out an rent a few Marilyn Monroe movies (or rent My Week with Marilyn) and take in the natural beauty of this cultural icon and sex symbol.
For more about Marilyn Monroe or My Week with Marilyn, check out my post from a couple of years ago… HERE.
What is your favorite Marilyn Monroe movie? I’d love to hear from you!
Yours Truly,
Vanessa
No Comments