Marilyn Monroe, the Biography, by Donald Spoto, kept me up all night. I finished it Monday. Couldn’t sleep after. Reading her biography was like watching a horror movie. I wanted to cry out- “No, don’t go in there! Turn around! Don’t talk to him! Ruuuuuun!” But no matter how desperately I wanted to intervene, the character made the wrong decision and decided to check out that mysterious and scary noise all by herself. In the dark. Where there be monsters.
I kept thinking about how Marilyn Monroe was the most famous actress in the world, in her day - my parent’s day. It reminded me how my contemporary died tragically, also at the age of 36, Princess Diana, the most famous woman in the world.
Why does this happen? As my daughter says - so they will remain forever young? It’s just weirdly a-synchronous, if that makes any sense.
Marilyn Monroe may have been at the height of her fame before my time, but she’s always fascinated me. I think it’s because when she’s on screen, if only for a few moments, my eyes are drawn to her and only her. She’s a walking contradiction - powerful and vulnerable, innocent and provocative, open and wary, full of fun and reclusive, a woman and a child - all at the same time. And her eyes seem to look into your soul. I think she was absolutely brilliant on screen. Marilyn Monroe is my favorite actress of all time.
Grace Kelly is a goddess on screen, but cool, controlled, and unapproachable. Audrey Hepburn is cute and talented, but she lacks physicality. There was nothing earthy about either of these two actresses.
Marilyn had it all. And she was far more intelligent, well-read, thoughtful, approachable, kind, and generous than the general public gave her credit for. She made less money than you might imagine, far less. She was a shy, stuttering perfectionist who never believed she got anything right. She owned few clothes, relying upon loans from the studio wardrobe department. She was way more messed up than I imagined, and therefore easy prey for those unscrupulous individuals who hang around super stars. Think Michael Jackson. She did not commit suicide.
And yet… the camera adored her. She was ethereal. Now I must go buy two movies I lack from my collection and every book of photographs I can find.
Who wants to read the book next?
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Great post. Love the way you put it together. You aren’t the first to see the connection between Diana and Marilyn. Elton John had the same idea.
Those roses are absolutely gorgeous. Steph
Sounds like a great book! She had an intoxicating mix of vulnerability, sweetness and sexiness. Both men and women were captivated by her.
I haven’t read the book, but want to now. I have followed the career of Daniel Day-Lewis, who married the daughter of Arthur Miller. DDL talks about his father-in-law writing The Misfits for Marilyn, and she hated that movie (according to DDL), but did it anyway - her last. And during the filming and the breakup of their marriage, Life Magazine sent the photographer, Inge Morath, to chronicle the filming. And Arthur Miller later married that photographer. Their child is DDL’s wife now, Rebecca Miller. And DDL met his wife on the set while filming The Crucible, based on Arthur Miller’s book.
So many lives changed-the thread is everywhere. Of angst and love missed or lost, or misinterpreted. Lady Sprekels built a huge house for her and Clark Gable to live in here in Kenwood - and he never made it there either, because he was still grieving over the death of Carol Lombard.
Our stories have drama and we intertwine the threads to make a tapestry our readers will love. But truth is truly stranger than fiction, sometimes.
Great post, Julia.
I think you’ll like this link!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/01/marilyn-monroe-nudes-outtakes-last-on-set-shoot-revealed-larry-schiller_n_1467561.html?ref=entertainment&ir=Entertainment
There are people out there that have something about them that even after they are gone people still talk and remember them. They have that sparkle.
Great link. The weird thing is that the article specifically calls Elizabeth Taylor a great actress and goes on to compare the two women. I must disagree. I find Liz un-watchable. I can’t watch a single movie she’s made because I can see her acting. And I never found her attractive. Liz did not move me in any way, shape or form. Great pics of MM, though. I’ll have to get the magazine when it’s released.
Interesting, Sharon. I know he was devastated by the loss of his wife. Six degrees of separation, yes?
Yes, that’s it, Penny. Women adored her too.
Yes, Steph - the two most famous women of their generation. Elton John’s song, however, gives me an ear worm.
It’s true, Savannah. It’s amazing how many great actors and musicians have died young.
I’ve always been fascinated with her, as many other people have. I love listening to them talk about her in SMASH.
Hi Ciara. I’ll have to listen to SMASH!
Excellent article, Julia. The sorrow behind the Norma Jean/Marilyn woman, and even with all the interest and exposure, still the strong pull of mystery around her.
And thanks to Sharon Hamilton for the amazing connection of details and people. I knew of the DDL/The Crucible connection, but Sharon’s information was fascinating.
It is fascinating, Marilyn. The Misfits was a beautiful, tragic disaster for everyone involved. Sharon’s connections are amazing.