Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe during a hair test by Milton Greene for The Prince and the Showgirl.  England, July 25th 1956

Marilyn Monroe as Sugar in Some Like It Hot (1959)

Marilyn Monroe on the set of Something’s Got To Give, 1962.

On July 2nd 1957, Marilyn arrives to help break ground for the Time-Life Building near Rockefeller Center.

Marilyn and Joe in Japan in February 1954.

“I sometimes felt I was hooked on sex; the way an alcoholic is on liquor or a junkie on dope. My body turned all these people on, like turning on an electric light, and there was barely anything human in it. Marilyn Monroe became a burden, a - what do you call it? - an albatross. People expected so much of me, I sometimes hate it. It was too much of a strain. I still feel that way. Marilyn Monroe has to look a certain way – be beautiful - and act a certain way, be talented. I wondered if I could live up to their expectations. There were times on The Misfits, in those emotional scenes, when I had a feeling I’d fail however hard I tried, and I didn’t want to go on-site in the morning. I was sorry that I wasn’t a waitress or a cleaning lady and free of people’s great demands. Sometimes it would be a great relief to be no longer famous. But we actors and actresses are such warriors, such – what is your word? – narcissus types. I sit in front of the mirror for hours looking for signs of age. I like old people; they have such qualities younger people don’t have. I want to grow old without facelifts. They take the life out of a face, the character. I want to have the courage to be loyal to the face I’ve made. Sometimes I think it would be easier to avoid old age, to die young, but then you would never complete your life, would you? You never totally know yourself.” — Marilyn, from Conversations with Marilyn by W.J Weatherby. 

Marilyn in Korea in February 1954.

Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot (1959)

Candid shots of Marilyn Monroe in New York City by teenage fan, Peter Mangone, 1955.

Marilyn Monroe and Richard Widmark in a publicity photo for Don’t Bother to Knock (1952)

Marilyn Monroe on the set of Bus Stop, 1956.

Marilyn Monroe Photoblog : My daily personal selection of rare photos of Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn Monroe Photoblog : My daily personal selection of rare photos of Marilyn Monroe.

Marilyn by Sam Shaw in September 1954.

“She knew exactly what to do, her movements, her hands, her body were just perfect. She was the sexiest. Better than anyone else. Emotionally, she did everything right. She expressed just what I wanted.” - Douglas Kirkland