Marilyn Monroe

“Marilyn was history’s most phenomenal love goddess.” ~Philippe Halsman, photographer

[normajeanebaker]

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

[witchinghour]

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

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

[alwaysmarilynmonroe]

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

[alwaysmarilynmonroe]

Marilyn and Joe in Japan in February 1954.

[perfectlymarilynmonroe]

“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. 

[alwaysmarilynmonroe]

Marilyn in Korea in February 1954.

[riickgrimes]

Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot (1959)

[perfectlymarilynmonroe]

“I used to get up every day and put on a shirt and tie, because I read she was coming to New York to go to the Actor’s Studio and that she would stay at the Gladstone Hotel, so I used to get up every morning, dress up, get on the train, cut school and wait for hours. Some days I didn’t see her, some days I’d get a glimpse of her. Then I finally stood across from the hotel one day and I saw her. The next day I went in front of the hotel with a piece of paper, she signed it and she said, ‘You were here yesterday. You had a red tie on. Weren’t you cold?’ Because it was freezing. But she noticed. She really cared, you know.”  -Peter Mangone

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

[ladybegood]

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

[infinitemarilynmonroe]

Marilyn Monroe on the set of Bus Stop, 1956.

[12305fifthhelenadrive]

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

[12305fifthhelenadrive]

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

[oldmovieactress]

[alwaysmarilynmonroe]

Marilyn by Sam Shaw in September 1954.

[infinitemarilynmonroe]

“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

[welovemarilyn]

Marilyn Monroe with babies