Marilyn Monroe

In the 1950’s teens had more money than ever to spend on them selves. Parents feared their children would spend their money on risqué music and movies. One actress parents really did not want their kids to go see was Marilyn Monroe. Born June 1, 1926 Norma Jeane Mortenson who became an actress, singer, model, and showgirl. She spent much of childhood in foster homes because of an unstable family and began her acting career in 1946 for 20th Century Fox. 

She made her first appearance on the cover of Life magazine in April 1952 where she claims how she had a Cinderella story; this magazine issue explains her childhood and how difficult she had it. She began dating baseball player Joe DiMaggio, which gave her more publicity other than being that “dumb blonde.” In a 1953 calendar Monroe was featured with a nude picture and the studio was unpleased with it. Monroe claimed it was taken years before in 1949 for rent money. In 1956 her film Bus Stop was nominated for a Golden Globe. Although she deserved the award, she did not receive a Globe until 1959 for some Like It Hot.

Marilyn Monroe’s first leading role was in the 1953 film, Niagara, gave her superstar status. George and Rose Loomis were on a late honeymoon when he witnessed his wife cheating with Patrick. Rose plots her husband’s death and asks Patrick to kill him in a tunnel under the falls. When the scheme is done, Patrick would play a certain song to let Rose know of his deeds. The song is played, however George is not dead. George killed Patrick and fled town to make the cops believe he was the victim. When the body is retrieved, Rose goes to the hospital to confirm the person and there she found it was Patrick. When she goes back to the U.S. George finds her and kills his wife, and he later kidnapping Polly a woman he previously met on his vacation. In a scene Monroe is walking with her back toward the camera, a man, Constance Bennett, claimed, "There's a broad with her future behind her."

In 1953 Monroe imprinted her hands and feet for Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.  "I want to grow and develop and play serious dramatic parts. My dramatic coach, Natasha Lytess, tells everybody that I have a great soul, but so far nobody's interested in it." Monroe told the New York Times. She was sick of being the “dumb blonde” and hoped to show her amazing talents in “The Egyptian” but was casted in a cowboy movie, “River of No Return”.  In late 1953 Monroe was scheduled to begin filming The Girl in Pink Tights with Frank Sinatra. When she failed to appear for work, 20th Century Fox suspended her.

In 1954 Monroe and DiMaggio married, and doubled their honeymoon in Japan with business and pleasure. Monroe preformed for over 13,000 soldiers in the matter of three days! In the same year, one of the most memorable movies of Marilyn had the picture of her skirt-blowing up in The Seven Year. As director Billy Wilder had the scene down several times, a large crowd watched and Joe DiMaggio was unhappy with the scene, which lead to a huge argument between the couple. Two weeks later Monroe made the separation public. 

Marilyn began seeing screen writer Arthur Miller in 1955, the couple suffered from two miscarriages. Monroe’s attitude towards coworker and directors became very different. She would redo simple scenes if she felt it was not good enough. She would come into work late and leave early as she pleased. Her health went down the gutter. She began to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson. She was suffering from insomnia and the several doctors she had previously visited gave her a wide variety of medications, which she was now addicted to.  Although the doctor reduced much of her drug intake, she still drank excessive amounts with her meds.

In February 1961, Monroe was admitted to the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic. She contacted her ex-husband, DiMaggio. He was alarmed by how an independent that he loved fell into the wrong crowd.  

In 1962, the scandal of Monroe and President John F. Kennedy’s affair was questioned. One of her last appeaences was when she sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" at a birthday party. When the president broke off the relationship, it was said Monroe’s depression increased.

August 5, 1962, Monroe, now 36 years old, LAPD police received a call in early morning from Monroe's psychiatrist, stating that Monroe was dead. Several drugs were found in her system from the autopsy and many speculations were concluded of her death. Some conspiracy theories involved John and Robert Kennedy, while other theories suggested CIA or Mafia complicity. It was reported that the last person Monroe called was the President.

Monroe starred in over 34 films before her death. Monroe was placed in a crypt in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery. Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy magazine, bought the crypt right next to her because he believes she was the reason for his business’s success.