Marilyn Monroe. Sex goddess, blond bombshell, movie star, model, singer, and misunderstood movie icon. When one thinks of glamorous Hollywood movie stars, one of the first images that comes to mind is the legendary movie actress, Marilyn Monroe.
Like the film actress and platinum bombshell Jean Harlow, Marilyn was considered one of the most beautiful woman in Tinseltown and managed to keep Hollywood and the world spellbound. And she still manages to turn the heads of those who claim to still see the ghost of the star, long after her death in 1962. Or at least that's what many believe. Fact or Fantasy? You be the judge.
Photo Credit joannet http://www.flickr.com/photos/joanneteh_32/3654014036/
Brief History
Norma Jeane Baker
Marilyn was born in Los Angeles County Hospital on June 1, 1926. The legend's real name was Norma Jeane Mortensen. She was later christened Norma Jeane Baker. But the birth and early life of one of Hollywood's most beloved starlets was far less glamorous, and much more painful than one would imagine.
Marilyn's supposed birth father, Edward Mortensen, a Norwiegen sailor, left Norma Jeane's mother, Gladys Pearl Baker, before Norma was born. The girl would never know her father. Over the years Monroe would deny that Mortensen was her biological father and that her real father closely resembled the screen legend Clark Gable, whom she idolized.
Gladys often showed a photo of a handsome man believed to be Charles Stanley Gifford to Monroe, and claimed he was actually her real father. The father's real identity is unknown since DNA testing was not an option in those days. Ironically, before Marilyn's demise in 1962, she would star with one of her movie idols, Clark Gable in "The Misfits," it would be the last movie both Monroe and Gable would complete before their deaths.
When Marilyn's mother became mentally ill Norma Jeane was placed in foster care. Unfortunately she would bounce back and forth between several foster homes and would never know what a real stable family was. Her mother ended up in the State Hospital while Norma Jeane was quite young so she ended up living with her mother's friend, Grace Mc Knee off and on.
She was eventually sent off to live with another foster family when Graces' husband attempted to molest the girl. The next home she went to she was again assaulted by a young boy and was sent back to Grace where she ended up meeting Jim Dougherty, a neighbor's son. Soon, a marriage of convenience was arranged between the Dougherty's and Grace, when she decided the young Norma Jeane became a burden and wanted to move away.
These unfortunate events that took place in young Norma Jeans life played a pivotal role in her psyche and her mental state and would follow the star her whole life through a series of broken marriages, lost loves, and feelings of abandonment. But one positive thing came out of living with Grace, Norma Jeane discovered the movies, make-up and big dreams of becoming a Hollywood actress like another idol of hers, sex goddess Jean Harlow.
Legendary Screen Goddess Jean Harlow
In 1942, Norma Jeane Baker became Norma Jeane Dougherty. But the marriage was far from perfect and the girl had no idea about love or being a wife at the tender young age of 16. While her husband Jimmy was in the Merchant Marines during World War II, he was sent away to the South Pacific in 1944. His young bride went to work in an assembly line at Radio Planes Munitions factory where she worked on plane parts.
It was during this time a photographer named David Conover, who was photographing women who were contributing to the war effort, discovered young Norma Jeane and immediately spotted the girl's potential. She was a natural beauty and Conover knew she would photographed well. He began working with her.
Norma Jean on the of Cover of Yank Magazine 1945
Courtesy Yank Magazine
She made the cover of Yank Magazine and it seemed Norma Jeane was destined for stardom. Soon after making the cover of the magazine her modeling career took off. She became one of "Blue Books" most popular models. In 1946, her marriage to Dougherty ended and the metamorphoses began. The birth of a goddess was taking shape as the young model bleached her natural dark hair to blond and began studying drama and voice.
Swimsuit Modeling
Photo credit by aclbraga http://www.flickr.com/photos/aclbraga/2297582941/
While appearing on dozens of magazine covers, Norma Jeane was discovered by Ben Lyon of 20th Century Fox, who arranged a screen test for her. She was offered six-month contract and changed her name to Marilyn Monroe. She got bit parts in a few films but then her contract ran out. She was broke and desperate so she went back to modeling again and posed for some nude photographs for extra cash. This venture would come back to haunt her years later.
In 1948 Monroe found work at Columbia Pictures. She met Natasha Lytess, who became instrumental in her acting career as her coach. Her career started to look up as she got a part in the film, "Ladies of the Chorus" and also the Marx Brother's film "Love Happy" in 1949, then went on to work in the movie, "The Asphalt Jungle" the following year with the help of Johnny Hyde, who represented her.
The Asphalt Jungle 1950
Her movie was a success and soon she went on to gain another role in the movie "All About Eve," with Bette Davis, which was also considered a success. After the film, Monroe landed a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox and appeared in several films while also attending the University of California in Los Angeles.
In 1952, a nude photo of Monroe's appeared on a men's calendar and threatened her career. The struggling actress admitted that the photos were taken during a time in her life when she was struggling to survive. Amazingly, the public was sympathetic to her plight and soon after, Marilyn went on to grace the cover of "Life Magazine" along with a story on the up and coming actress who seemed destined for the top.
Soon she landed roles in the films: "Don't Bother To Knock, and the classic thriller also starring Joseph Cotton, "Niagara."
It was during the filming of Niagara that Monroe developed her sex-goddess persona that would become her trademark. But while Monroe was becoming successful in the film industry she also struggled with stage fright which would plague her throughout her career.
Marilyn in "Niagara" 1953, as the scheming Rose Loomis,
who meets with an unsavory end served up by Joseph Cotten
In 1953, her photo appeared on the cover of "Playboy" along with the nude photo of her from 1946 inside. That same year Monroe starred in the comedy "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" with co-star Jane Russell.
The starlet finally had the opportunity to use the voice she worked so hard on. She, along with Russell, sang a number of songs, but Marilyn got her chance to really shine when she sang the song, "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend." The film was a smashing success and a star was on the rise.
Famous Song and Dance Scene: "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend"
"Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" 1953
Next she starred in the comedy, "How to Marry a Millionaire" with Bette Grable and Lauren Bacall, which turned out to be another success.
Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and Lauren Bacall "How to Marry a Millionaire"
A Memorable scene from How to Marry a Millionaire
But the actress was growing tired of being typecast as a "dumb blond" because Monroe was quite the opposite in real life. In 1953, with the success of several movies under her belt, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell cast their hand prints and signatures in cement at world famous Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California. Marilyn's dreams were finally realized, she was now a successful and world renowned actress!
Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell Casting Their Prints in Cement 1953
Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood, California
During this time Monroe worked and developed her skills with her coach and hoped to land starring roles in more dramatic films, but sadly she was never taken seriously enough by movie producers. Her next film was "River of No Return" with Robert Mitchum.
In 1954 she married baseball great, Joe DiMaggio of the "New York Yankees" who was later inducted into the Hall of Fame (1955). Joe was also known as "Joltin' Joe." Both were world famous celebrities and greatly admired.
Joltin' Joe of the New York Yankees
Marilyn and Joe with Tstsuzo Inumaru
The couple honeymooned in Japan and then Monroe went on to perform for 13,000 American marines in Korea for three days where she sang and wooed the awestruck men. With her fear of performing, this had been a huge feat for Marilyn; she was sure that it forced her to gain some control over her stage fright and was grateful for the experience.
Marilyn Performs at the USO Camp Show "Anything Goes."
Marilyn's next film was "There's No Business Like Show Business" which did not do as well as some of her other films. The reviews were harsh and greatly impacted Monroe negatively, but she still went on to star in the hilarious comedy, "The Seven Year Itch" with Tom Ewill.
Tom Ewill and Marilyn Monroe in "The Seven Year Itch"
Tom Ewill attempts to kiss the naive Marilyn, who is simply know as "The Girl."
Monroe would be remembered for a memorable scene in the movie in which she stands over a New York grate while the air from the subway blows her skirt up revealing her legs and her panties. This did not go over well with her husband Joe who was watching among the excited crowd as the director had to redo the scene over and over. An argument ensued and shortly after returning to California, Monroe and Di Maggio separated then divorced soon after.
Monroe soon started "Marilyn Monroe Productions" after being forced to play another "dumb blond." But the movie "The Seven Year Itch" did so well in the reviews and went on to be a success regardless of Marilyn's feelings about her role that she renewed her contract with 20th Century Fox. This allowed her to have more control, earn more money, and enabled her to work with other studios.
Marilyn in "Bus Stop"with Don Murray (above photo)
Next, she starred in "Bus Stop" with Don Murray. She played a saloon singer with no talent, but her role proved to audiences that Marilyn could play more dramatic roles. The movie was a success, followed by the movie "The Prince and the Showgirl," with Sir Laurence Olivier.
Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe in The Prince and the Showgirl.
Aside from trouble on the set, Marilyn's performance was well accepted by audiences around the world. During this period, Monroe had been dating the playwright Arthur Miller; they later married on June 29, 1956. Into the marriage Marilyn suffered a miscarriage and was profoundly affected by the loss of the baby which only compounded her unsettling sentiment of heartbreak and loss.
1958, Monroe starred in the successful comedy, "Some Like it Hot" directed by Billy Wilder, with Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. Although the movie went over well, Monroe would be late for shooting on several occasions,
( which became a recurring problem for her ) and caused problems on the set.
Marilyn in "Some Like it Hot" as Sugar Kane.
She was said to resent her co-star Tony Curtis for making a joke about their kissing scene which he likened to, "Kissing Hitler." The joke did not go over well with Marilyn who had just suffered another miscarriage while on the set of the film. The loss threw her into a deep depression because of her inability to have a child with Miller. Billy Wilder would later admit that aside from Marilyn's unpredictability on the set she was shear genius as a comedic actress.
In 1960, Marilyn starred in "Let's Make Love" with the French actor, Yves Montand. During the filming Monroe and Montand began an affair. By this time Monroe's marriage to Miller was crumbling and so was Marilyn's state of mind. The affair ended badly and she started seeing a Los Angeles psychiatrist, Dr. Greenson, who would later become a controversial figure in her life.
Marilyn was fearful that she was headed down the same path as her mother Gladys, to an institution. The actress suffered from insomnia and depression. She soon became dependent on drugs to help her sleep and wake up in the morning. All the while her marriage continued to collapse and Miller could do nothing to help his wife.
Art Imitates Life
In 1960 Arthur Miller wrote a screenplay "The Misfits," Directed by John Huston. He wrote it with his wife in mind. The movie also starred Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift. Filmed in Nevada, the movie's character, the sexy divorced Roslyn Taylor (Marilyn Monroe ) mirrored Monroe's life which was not lost on the star.
In the movie Taylor falls in love with an aging cowboy Gay Langland (Clark Gable ), who does not want to be tamed. Montgomery Clift plays another lost soul, Perce Howland. During the filming Monroe's drug and alcohol abuse is obvious. As a result she was sick most of the time and landed in the hospital from exhaustion.
Marilyn as Roslyn Taylor in "The Misfits"
Monroe returned to complete the film but remained a constant problem on the set. She argued continually with her husband and made filming difficult for all the those involved. Montgomery Clift had problems performing as well due to illness and Gable was also feeling ill in the end.
He ended up leaving the set without attending the after party and three days later suffered a heart attack. After flying back home, Miller and Monroe announced their separation. During that same time Clark Gable passed away, only eleven days after filming completed.
Immediately rumors flew that the stress of making the movie had killed Gable, and there were some that blamed the difficult actress for contributing to that stress. Monroe went into a deeper depression following Gable's death. Then to make matters worse the movie was not very successful.
In 1961 Monroe's divorce to Miller was final. Shortly thereafter she entered the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic for undisclosed reasons. With the help of Joe Di Maggio, Marilyn was transfered to another facility. After her release, Marilyn's health continued to spiral downward as she suffered more illness and two surgeries, then returned to Los Angeles to convalesce.
The Final Curtain
In 1962 Monroe began filming 'Something's Got to Give" directed by George Cukor, and co-starred Dean Martin and Cyd Charisse. The film would also be the last and unfinished movie Monroe would make. Most of the time Marilyn was sick so often, late, or the fear of performing was so intense that sometimes she didn't make it at all to the set, compromising production. Cukor had to continue filming around her until she made it back to the set.
Marilyn on the set of "Something's Got to Give" 1962
Looking at the old film footage of Something's Got to Give,
it is obvious that Marilyn's comedic timing, beauty and charm
were still intact. The film would most likely have been a hit for
the actress. Unfortunately her state of mind was fragile and
time ran out for the screen legend.
During production of the film Peter Lawford, who was Kennedy's brother-in-law and friend of Marilyn's, called her and suggested she sing for Kennedy for his birthday. On May 9, 1962, Marilyn arrived, late, to the birthday celebration for President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden where she sang in a very breathy voice, "Happy Birthday" to Kennedy in a nude colored sequence gown she had to be sewn into it.
The President then thanked Marilyn saying, in a joking manner, "I can now retire from politics after having had "Happy Birthday" sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way." I don't believe wholesome ever crossed anyone's mind, and most likely left the president blushing.
Marilyn at Madison Square Garden May 9, 1962
Photo Credit Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Marilyn1962.PNG
Monroe returned to the set and filmed her famous nude swimming pool scene. After costing 20th Century Fox so much money for her absence, Monroe was dismissed and a lawsuit was filed against her. She was then replaced by actress Lee Remick, but Dean Martin refused to work without Monroe. Consequently, he was also threatened if he refused to work.
During this time, while Monroe was not filming, she posed for several nude photos for photographer Bert Stern of "Vogue" and gave an interview. She also did an interview, along with photos for "Life Magazine's" Richard Meriman. The photos show, at times, a pensive looking, some-what sad, and at other times, a seemingly happy, Monroe, sitting relaxed in her Brentwood home.
Things finally seemed to look up for Marilyn when 20th Century Fox renewed her contract so she could finish filming of Something's Got to Give. Many would recall how well she looked, how vibrant and beautiful she appeared in those last days of filming. But on August 5, 1962, Marilyn was found dead in her home from an apparent overdose of barbiturates, she was only 36 years old.
Hollywood and her audiences were deeply saddened by her death. Joe Di Maggio was so deeply impacted by her passing that he never really go over it. On August 8, 1962, Marilyn was interred at Westwood Village Memorial Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. The world wept as one of Hollywood's
most beloved stars was laid to rest.
Rumors Fly
Photo Credit Yaili http://www.flickr.com/photos/yaili/2901804643/
Rumors instantly began to fly around Tinseltown. Questions arose of the circumstances surrounding her death and would not be put to rest. Was it suicide, accident, or something more ominous? In the years to come, more rumors would abound spawning new theories about the actress' death. Rumors of the Mafia, CIA, and affairs with both John and Robert Kennedy were whispered.
The actress supposedly kept a "secret diary" of events which contained confidential information of some very significant figures in politics and the mob. There were "those" who caught wind of the diary and were threatened by it and wanted to silence Monroe in order to keep truths from emerging.
Marilyn with John and Robert Kennedy 1962
Other stories include wire-tapping sessions that took place in Monroe's home and a hush-up about her death. And as the years passed more theories would follow as books and documentaries surfaced with new facts as to the real fate of the late actress.
But nobody has been able to validate these supposed facts and theories as truth. What is known officially is that Los Angeles County Coroner, Thomas T. Noguchi, signed off Monroe's death as a suicide. Still later he wrote the book, "Coroner" in which he states that murder could have played a part in Marilyn's death, however, suicide could not be ruled out. And so the rumors continue to fly decades after the death of the screen goddess.
Ghostly Rumors
47 years after the death of Marilyn Monroe, new stories of the star continue to surface. It appears that Marilyn has made a comeback, or at least her ghost has. It seems that several different employees and guests of the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California have seen the spirit of Monroe. During her residency in Los Angeles the starlet apparently spent a great deal of time there between houses.
Her image has been seen walking along the corridors of the hotel then disappearing. Other times she has been seen in in a mirror in the lobby of the hotel primping herself as she once did so many years before. But as you turn to look back she is no longer there.
Apparently this same mirror once graced the wall of her hotel suite and was relocated in the lobby years later. Several guests also swear they have seen her ghostly image at the pool area at dusk in a reposed state. Still others have glimpsed her blond misty image in the ladies restroom, sending quite a few shaken visitors out in a panic.
The Roosevelt Hotel was partially founded by Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. The hotel catered to many stars like Errol Flynn, Charley Chaplin, Montgomery Clift, Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and Carol Lombard just to name a few.
Roosevelt Hotel Hollywood, California
Photo Credit Rice and D http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricemaru/120560960/
Roosevelt Hotel's Pool
Photo Credti by chasingfun: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chasingfun/3197099505/
It appears the ghost of Monroe is not content to haunt only the Roosevelt Hotel, shadows, mists, and apparitions have also been witnessed at Marilyn's home in Brentwood, California as well. Paranormal investigators have gone in search of her ghost and they believe that her spirit is not at rest; she refuses to leave the last place she once called home.
And lastly, swirling mists and the ghostly specter of the screen legend have also been seen at or near her crypt at Westwood Village Memorial Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Witnesses claim to have seen her floating, while others have seen her walking along the wall where she is buried then suddenly fade with the evening dusk.
Marilyn's Crypt
The Marble is Worn From Thousands of Hands That Touch it
Photo Credit Juergen Graf
Marilyn's Crypt From a Distance
The Latest Marilyn News
August 2009, the occupied crypt directly above Monroe's went up for auction. Mrs. Elsie Poncher needed to pay off the $1.6 million mortgage on her Beverly Hills home. Her starting price on EBay was $500,000. It didn't take long for the crypt to sell for a whopping $4.6 million.
Elsie Poncher's late husband, Richard Poncher, purchased the crypt from Joe DiMaggio after his divorce from Monroe in 1954. Poncher had no idea the crypt just below his would one day house the screen goddess.
When Poncher died in 1986 at the age of 81, his body was placed "face down" in the crypt so that he could always look at Marilyn. Mrs. Poncher is moving her husbands remains next to the one he occupies, which was meant for her. She will be cremated when she passes away and her home will be paid off in full and left for her children.
Other famous stars buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park are:
Natalie Wood, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, George C.Scott, Roy Orbison, Donna Reed, Dean Martin, Burt Lancaster, Bob Crane, Robert Stack, Rodney Dangerfield, Merv Griffin, Les Brown, Frank Zappa, Dorothy Stratten, Minnie Riperton, Carl Wilson, Heather O'Rourke, Dominique Dunne, Don Knotts, and heaven's newest angel and screen goddess, Farrah Fawcett.
In Conclusion
Does the spirit of the sultry movie legend Marilyn Monroe still walk among the living or is she a product of over-imaginative and ever-hopeful minds at work? Some believe she apparently has unfinished business and sticks around for some unspecified reason. Perhaps she never intended to die and refuses to believe it. Or is it possible that she was murdered? If so, then perhaps she refuses to move until the mystery is solved?
Perhaps she remains around the cemetery and other places of interest to witness the throngs of visitors that continue to pay homage to her. Is it possible that she still lingers because she misses being in the spotlight and loves all the attention she still receives?
Whether her spirit is among us or not, one thing is certain, she remains an enigma to many, a goddess to others, and a legend to all. She continues to captivate the minds and steal the hearts of millions around the world long after her passing. It is perhaps for this reason that the radiance of this shining star known as Marilyn Monroe, will forever burn brightly among the other stars that dot the darkened skies high above Hollywood.
In Memory
Copyright© Sylvia Zimmer 2009
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