Happy Birthday JFK, Marilyn PLANNED To Sing It That Way

A story has come out recently about the alleged "true" reason why Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy in such a breathy, sexy manner. According to Joan Copeland, the younger sister of playwright Arthur Miller, Monroe’s former husband, Monroe was so late to go on stage that night that she missed her cue. Watching her ‘running around trying to find a door,’ Copeland noticed that Monroe was out of breath and anxious, and consequently was unable to sing properly.

This story is completly and utterly false.  Marilyn Monroe had every intention of signing the song exactly the way she sang it:  Sexy, breathy, sultry.  She planned it, she rehearsed it, and she sang it the way she intended to...and President Kennedy knew it was coming.

Marilyn considered her appearance at the gala to be extremely important.  "I was honored when they asked me to appear at the President's birthday rally," she told Richard Meryman of Life Magazine in her final interview.  She was meticulous about this appearance, and she valued it enough to spend $12,000.00 on a dress that she'd asked Oscar winning designer Jean Luis to create for her.

"I want you to design a truly historical dress, a dazzling dress that's one of a kind," she said to him, "A dress that only Marilyn Monroe could wear." 

It's documented in at least two books that Marilyn planned and rehearsed the song she was to sing for her performance, and she sang it to President Kennedy exactly the way she'd rehearsed it.  She also rehearsed the song at Madison Square Garden the morning of the performance.

Marilyn rehearses "Happy Birthday Mr. President" at Madison Square Garden.

In her book, Marilyn and Me, Susan Strasberg writes about Marilyn rehearsing the song.

Page 220:

Mother was a wreck when she got home from the rehearsal at Marilyn's apartment.  "It keeps getting sexier and sexier.  If she doesn't stop, it will be a parody.  Richard Adler was crazed (Richard had written the special lyrics for the song), he made Peter Lawford call the president, who just laughed and said, 'Great.'"  

"What did you say?" I asked.  "Mom, why didn't you tell her the truth?"

She looked chastised.  "She didn't want to hear it. She's determined to do it sexy," she told us.  "'How else can I top everybody else?'  There's nothing anyone can tell her about this, except maybe your father, but he won't because it's not important enough to him.  They'll probably blame me...Mabye they'll love it."    

Marilyn had worn out three pianists rehearsing for this song.  She'd sung it in the bathtub, on the plane, night and day.

That evening I went to Madison Square Garden with my date.  Mom and Delos were with Marilyn and Arthur Miller's father, who she adored.  I watched from a nearby seat. 

She was high when she came onstage.  All that held her up was the skintight dress she was sewn into, and her courage.  The crowd roared when she made her entrance.  She glittered in her sequins.  The strange thing was that she glittered more when she was simply dressed, just being herself. She gave them what they wanted, she stole the show, and the attention was a shot in the arm, as intoxicating as a drug, but I hurt for her.  From what she'd told em, each time she caricatured herself, she chipped a piece out of her own dream. 

Eunice Murray, Marilyn's final housekeeper, also writes in her book, Marilyn:  The Last Months, about Marilyn rehearsing for the JFK birthday gala.  Page 102:

While the dress was being fitted, she began to sing "Happy Birthday" just the way, she said, she was going to sing it at the party.  She almost let the secret slip when she got to the phrase, "Happy birthday, dear Mr. Pr___."  She broke off abruptly laughing.  "I didn't say anything," she told Jean Louis.  "You didn't hear a thing."  

Marilyn worked very hard to make her singing as special as the dress.  She rehearsed with a tape recorder on her living room floor and before intimate friends for days.  Everyone has sung "Happy Birthday."  Who would need to rehears a song like that, one might wonder.  

But anyone who remembers Marilyn's rendition of the song knows it was uniquely Monroe.

Marilyn's own natural manner was different.  She had a very intimate, personal way of singing, as if it were only to one person, and no one else.  Always slightly behind the beat, her voice was sultry, bedroomy, and quite in keeping with a dress that just fell in a heap of fluff and brilliants when she took it off.

But singing in a sultry voice in your own bathroom is quite different from getting up before thousands of people and TV cameras in Madison Square Garden and singing like that to the President of the United States.  Marilyn was so nervous at the prospect that she almost didn't make it to New York.  

Peter Lawford introduced Marilyn.  An expectant murmur ran through the hall, decorated festively with red, white and blue balloons and bunting.  The spotlight awaited her.  But no Marilyn appeared in the halo of light.

Peter played it straight, pretended to be concerned.  Where was she?  Still no Marilyn.  The spotlight played around searchingly.  People snickered.  He once more introduced her.  

Finally she appeared, sparkling back at the spotlights.  Peter introduced her as "the late Marilyn Monroe" to the delight of the crowd.  How apt!  Everyone knew Marilyn could never be on time.

She was worth waiting for, however.  A bit unsteady, Marilyn took one deep breath, thought, "Here goes," and launched into her song, making every movement of her torso suggestively warm, cooing out the words with memorable intimacy.  The five-foot birthday cake being rolled out with forty-five candles blazing was bedimmed by her dazzling delivery.  She may have been nervous, but she was completely, uniquely Marilyn - America's glittering sex symbol. 

In closing, Marilyn was at Madison Square Garden in plenty of time for her performance, and it had been planned all along that she would close the show, and her lateness would be a running joke throughout the program.  Marilyn was not late for her performance, she did not have a problem finding the correct door for the stage, and she was not out of breath when she sang Happy Birthday to President Kennedy.  She was America's sex symbol, and she delivered the performance that she'd planned and rehearsed.

The Marilyn Monroe Collection Travels to Italy for Feragammo Exhibit

I'm thrilled to announce that items from the Marilyn Monroe Collection will be traveling to Florence, Italy next year to be showcased in what's sure to be an exceptional exhibit, sponsored by Ferragamo.  Items from the MMC include Marilyn's personal black cocktail dress, and Marilyn's personal white fox muff. 

Salvatore Ferragamo’s newest exhibition shines the spotlight on the seductive aura and allure of Marilyn Monroe. After “Greta Garbo. The mystery of style” illustrated The divine woman’s cool elegance last year, the Florentine luxury brand will tell the story of Marilyn Monroe, another unforgettable Hollywood icon.

The exhibition on Marilyn Monroe will be held in Florence from June 2012 to January 2013 at Museo Salvatore Ferragamo, which in 1999 purchased 14 pairs of the actress’s shoes originally designed by the brand’s founder.

Through his shoes, Salvatore Ferragamo contributed to the legend Marilyn would become: they accentuated the innate and intense sensuality of the woman whom Salvatore likened to Venus, the Greek goddess of beauty.

In addition to the costumes she wore for her most celebrated roles, the exhibition will host works of art depicting Marilyn as a myth of unattainable and tormented beauty, a myth that moves us to empathy and enthralls us still today. 

Items from the Greg Schreiner Marilyn Monroe Collection and the Collection of David Gainsborough Roberts will also be highlighted.  This will be an exhibit that's not to be missed. 

Stay tuned for more news, information and photos from the exhibit. 

Your Week With Who? The MMC Review of My Week With Marilyn

I caught a 2:00 showing today of "My Week With Marilyn," and I'm not quite sure how one can love and despise a movie equally.  Alas, that is exactly what's happening to me.   

A quick synopsis of the story:  In 1956 Marilyn Monroe travels to England to film "The Prince and The Showgirl" with Sir Laurence Olivier, who stars as the prince, and who also serves as the film's director.  Marilyn has just married Arthur Miller, her third husband.  Colin Clark (the film's third producer) and Marilyn allegedly have an affair lasting about a week, and then Marilyn returns home to America.

There are serious issues with the plot.  Many believe that this affair never even occurred, and it's merely a story conjured up by Clark.  Allegedly, even Clark's own brother stated the story is fiction.  Interestingly, Clark wrote two different books about his stint as third producer on the film, and I've heard and read that both books are quite different, even though they both focus on Clark's time on the set of TPATS.  The first book left out the week in question entirely.  The second writing recorded the alleged affair.  I should point out that I have read neither of the books written by Colin Clark.  However, after seeing MWWM, they've both moved to the top of my list.

I'll state that I don't for a minute believe there was ever an affair, which was the entire premise for the story, and thus this film.  It doesn't seem realistic to me that Marilyn would have done this.  She was in London on her honeymoon after all, and even though she had read Miller's diary in which he wrote words that broke her heart, it just seems implausible that Marilyn Monroe would have had an affair, on her honeymoon (even after reading her husband's diary in which he writes about her negatively), while she's filming a movie in a foreign country, having terrible struggles with her costar and director, with a third producer six or seven years her junior.  Good grief, we all know Marilyn sought older men in her life, those that could serve as father figures.  This was the case with all three of her husbands, not to mention Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra and many others.  

With it now established that I believe this story is rubbish, I'll write about what I loved about the film, and also what I didn't.

WHAT I LOVED:  

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe exiting the plane after landing in London (photo above).  This is when we first see Williams as Monroe.  The camera focuses on the open door to the plane, and Williams appears as Marilyn, and it's rather magical.  In my mind I thought, "There she is."  The crowds erupt, cameras flash, and Marilyn walks down the stairs, coat over her shoulders, bouquet in hand.  Williams captures Marilyn Monroe in this scene, but unfortunately not in many others.  

 

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe as Elsie Marina:  Quite simply, Williams nailed it.  There were times during MWWM when I simply could not believe how much like Marilyn (as Elsie) Williams actually was.  The portrayal of Marilyn as Elsie was stunning. Reviews I've read have slammed Williams' portrayal of Marilyn as Elsie, but I disagree entirely.  With that said, I would HOPE that Williams would be able to capture Marilyn as Elsie, because this is what we see in the original 1957 feature film:  Marilyn portraying Elsie.  

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe near the end of the film:  Williams as Marilyn seeks out Clark to say goodbye before she returns to the US.  In this scene, we see a confident Marilyn, and to me at least, a Marilyn that is more realistic in nature. Readers of this review will note in the "What I Didn't Love" section below that I am less than enthused with Williams' portrayal of Marilyn throughout the entire film, minus the three areas listed above. 

Kenneth Branagh as Sir Laurence Olivier and Dame Judi Dench as Dame Sybil Thorndike:  Both rendered superb performances.  To me, I'm seeing a good actor when I forget the actor I'm watching, and I see the person he or she is portraying.  This certainly was the case with Branagh.  He was Olivier, literally.  Dench delivered a stellar performance, the nature of which we've all come to expect from her.  Both will likely receive Oscar nominations, as well they should in my opinion.  

The Monroe / Olivier relationship:  It's been well documented that Marilyn and Larry Olivier struggled when working together on TPATS.  MWWM captures those struggles, and we get some idea of what it must have been like on set each day.  It wasn't pretty.   

Production Value:  It's clear this was a high budget film.  The sets were lavish, and the costumes were realistic.  The dress Marilyn wore as Elsie Marina was reproduced for Michelle Williams, and it was quite good as a replica.  Other costumes Williams wears in the film are also quite realistic, resembling clothing that Marilyn actually wore.  The cars used in the film appeared to be from the period, and all was quite believable.  The sets from TPATS were reproduced for MWWM and they were very realistic.  One could believe they were actually watching the film being made back in 1956. 

WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE:

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe, the practically suicidal broken waif:  Throughout the majority of the film, Williams portrays a Marilyn that I'm not sure ever existed:  A weak, slow, downtrodden, perpetually suffering, blubbering, annoying airhead.  The Marilyn portrayed in the film in no way resembles the confident movie star who just a year earlier broke away from Fox studios to form her own production company in New York City.  It baffles my mind how it came to be that this was the Marilyn portrayed in MWWM, because it just doesn't seem possible that this is actually who and how Marilyn was.  This isn't a slam on Williams' acting.  I'm just not sure how it came to be realized that this was the way Marilyn was to be portrayed, because it was all wrong.  With that said, kudos to Williams for taking on this role.  It certainly can't be easy being Marilyn Monroe.

The opening and closing scenes:  The film opens with a few lines of written text, with the last line of text reading something along the lines of, "This is their true story."  (Really?)  The opening of the film shows Williams as Marilyn in a dress similar to the Jean Luis gown she wore to the JFK gala, and Marilyn sings "Heat Wave" from "No Business Like Show Business."

In the closing scene, Williams as Marilyn sings "That Old Black Magic" from "Bus Stop," but she's wearing a black sequined dress.  Neither of these scenes are authentic, and they just didn't work.

The portrayal of Milton Greene:  Milton is portrayed as controlling, domineering and Marilyn's drug dealer.  It's quite well known that he was fully invested in his relationship with Marilyn and the the company they had formed.  It's beyond me why he wasn't portrayed in a more positive light, especially where there are still people alive today, Amy Greene specifically, who could have testified to the nature of the Monroe / Greene relationship before, during and after TPATS.     

The story itself:  As I've already stated, this story is rubbish.  It's just highly unlikely that there was some kind of affair between Marilyn Monroe and this "gofer" on the set.  I find it utterly upsetting that the story is being touted as true to life, when there is no one around who can vouch for its accuracy.  In fact, people from the film who are still alive today are questioning the relationship. Vera Day, who played Marilyn’s friend Betty in TPATS has doubt on the alleged relationship between Colin Clark and Marilyn Monroe. She recently said the following in a report published by The Daily Beast: 

“I didn’t witness anything between Marilyn and Colin Clark [as in the film]. I actually don’t remember him on the set at all. There weren’t any rumblings of them being together on set. She was very, very into Arthur Miller, and they were on their honeymoon. Goodness me, no. Whatever he said about that … I mean, I can’t accuse him of lying, but I very much doubt there was anything going on there. She was with [Miller] all the time, and when she wasn’t she was working, and he was on the set all the time with her.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My overall impressions of MWWM are mixed.  There are parts of the film I really loved, yet parts that in my opinion are truly dreadful and questionable.  With that said, I encourage all Marilyn Monroe fans to check out the film and come to their own conclusions.  I will say that I think acting by Williams, Branagh and Dench is quite spectacular (even though I still don't know who exactly Williams was portraying in most scenes) and I won't be at all surprised if the lot of them are nominated for Oscars.

So, what did YOU think of MWWM?  Let me know!

Exceptional Marilyn Monroe Items at Julien's Auctions "Icons & Idols" Sale

There are some truly rare and exceptional items coming up for auction at the Julien's Auctions "Icons & Idols" sale on December 2.   An exciting array of Marilyn Monroe photos are hitting the auction block, as well as a cache of quality Monroe memorabilia, including several pieces from the now famous 1999 Christie's sale, The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe.  Likely the most important item at this sale is the Cecil Beaton Triptych, gifted to Marilyn by Bus Stop director Joshua Logan, in which Marilyn posted her favorite photo of herself.  This is perhaps the highest priced item from the 1999 Christie's sale to return to auction.  The hammer price in 1999 was $145,500.00.  What will it sell for this time?

Another item of note is an early photograph of Monroe, signed by the screen legend with her original name, Norma Jeane, and her new movie star name, Marilyn Monroe.  I've never before seen an autographed photo of Marilyn signed with her given name AND her stage name.  This is sure to be an exciting item at the sale. Also included is Marilyn's costume from The Seven Year Itch, along with the harem costume Marilyn wore as she portrayed Theda Bara, and photographed by Richard Avedon.

To see all lots in this auction, visit Julien's Auctions here.

MARILYN MONROE CECIL BEATON TRIPTYCH
Estimate: $80,000 - $100,000

A three-panel sterling silver custom-made Cartier frame, gifted to Marilyn Monroe by Nedda and Joshua Logan. The center frame houses a black and white silver gelatin print of the portrait Cecil Beaton took of Monroe in 1956. This image is purported to be Monroe’s favorite image of herself. The portrait is mounted to board and signed on matte by Beaton. The center frame is engraved at the top “For Marilyn Monroe Miller” and at the bottom “Love Nedda and Joshua Logan.” Joshua Logan directed Monroe in her 1956 film Bus Stop. The left and right frames house a handwritten letter from Cecil Beaton describing Monroe. It reads in part, “But the real marvel is the paradox – somehow we know that this extraordinary performance is pure charade, a little girl’s caricature of Mae West. The puzzling truth is that Miss Monroe is a make-believe siren, unsophisticated as a Rhine maiden, innocent as a sleepwalker. She is an urchin pretending to be grown-up, having the time of her life in mother’s moth-eaten finery, tottering about in high-heeled shoes and sipping gingerale as though it were a champagne cocktail. There is an otherworldly, a winsome naiveté about the child’s eyes…” The portrait can be seen in images of Monroe’s living room, where it was housed from 1956 until the actress’ death in 1962. PROVENANCE Lot 22, “The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe,” Christie’s, New York, Sale number 9216, October 27 & 28, 1999

MARILYN MONROE EARLY SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH 
Estimate: $10,000 - $20,000

An early black and white headshot of Marilyn Monroe inscribed to her then neighbor Phil Hooper. Inscription reads “To Phil Best Wishes Always Sincerely Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane).” Monroe and Hooper both lived at El Palaccio Apartments in West Hollywood. Monroe showed Hooper her photographs as they discussed their careers, and he asked her to sign a photograph for him. The image was signed at some time in 1947–48. Norma Jeane had begun using the name Marilyn Monroe in 1946 but did not change it officially until 10 years later. The photograph has remained in the possession of the Hooper family since the time of the signing. 10 by 8 inches

MARILYN MONROE SCREEN WORN COSTUME

Estimate: $80,000 - $100,000

A raw silk pink ensemble worn by Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch (20th Century Fox, 1955). The costume is composed of a three-quarter-length-sleeve top and tapered leg pants containing a costumer’s label that reads “Marilyn Monroe A-734” and a maker’s label that reads “designed by Jax.” Pants feature back zipper closure and shirt features deep V neckline with wing collar. Monroe can be seen wearing the ensemble with a matching belt, now absent, as she portrayed “The Girl” in the film. No size present.


MARILYN MONROE THEDA BARA CLEOPATRA COSTUME
Estimate:  $200,000 - $300,000

A harem costume worn by Marilyn Monroe for a 1958 photoshoot with Richard Avedon. Avedon dressed Monroe as five of Hollywood’s famed leading ladies. In this costume, Monroe dressed as Theda Bara in her role as Cleopatra. It is purported that this was part of Monroe’s campaign to play the role of the Egyptian queen in the film Cleopatra that eventually starred Elizabeth Taylor. The costume is comprised of a goldtone brassierewith snake motif cups, prong set costume gems and metal ring straps, and a skirt created by a series of scarves affixed to a gold lame bikini bottom. The accessories include a serpentine headdress with goldtone linked rings at each side, three pressed metal wristbands and armbands with arabesque designs, and a belt designed to be worn at the hip with goldtone bead, gen and paillette embellishments. Accompanied by one scarfnot affixed to skirt. PROVENANCE Lot 25 “The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe,” Christie’s, New York, Sale number 9216, October 27 and 28, 1999

The Marilyn Monroe Notable Quote Contest

We all have a favorite Marilyn Monroe quote. She was known for unique, witty, on-the-spot comments, often referred to as "Marilyn-isms." Characters she portrayed in her films also had some great one-liners! What are your favorite Marilyn Monroe quotes?

The Marilyn Monroe Collection is pleased to present the "Marilyn Monroe Notable Quote Contest." To enter the contest, simply leave a comment on this blog post with your first name, your email address (so I can get in touch with you if you're a winner) and your favorite Marilyn Monroe quotes.

Click here to enter the contest!

One lucky winner will be selected at random to win an official, full size color film poster (shown above) for the soon to be released film, My Week With Marilyn, starring Michelle Williams, Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Redmayne & Judi Dench, along with a copy of the book by the same title, written by Colin Clark.

Three other entries will be selected at random to win the official black and white teaser poster.

Special thanks to the Weinstein Company for offering these prizes for this contest.

Marilyn may have been on a calendar, but she was rarely on time. Don't miss your opportunity to win!

• Entries must be received by November 30.
• Enter as many times as you'd like, but please use unique quotes for each entry.
• Don't forget to provide your name and email address with your entry. Comments left anonymously cannot be considered for this contest.

Note: The Marilyn Monroe Collection is not affiliated with BBC Films, LIPSYNC Productions, or The Weinstein Company. This contest is not an endorsement of the film "My Week With Marilyn."

The Marilyn Monroe Collection Metamorphosis Photo Contest: And the Winners Are...

I'm thrilled to announce today the winners of "The Marilyn Monroe Collection Metamorphosis Photo Contest." Many entries were received, via Facebook and my personal email account, and choosing the winners for me was very challenging.

For this contest, entrants were asked to submit their favorite photo (or photos) of Marilyn Monroe, and explain why the photo was a favorite. More specifically:

• Why is the photo meaningful to you?
  
• What message is it sending you?
  
• What story is it telling?
  
• How does it impact you?

When determining contest winners, I evaluated the image of Marilyn, along with the quality, depth and feelings expressed in the reasoning as to why the image was submitted by the entrant as a favorite.

All entries were incredible, and again, it was very hard to choose. I can tell people put a lot of hard work into this contest. Because of that, I'm actually giving away FOUR copies of Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis, instead of just three.

So, without further delay, the winners of "The Marilyn Monroe Collection Metamorphosis Photo Contest" are:

Leah from the United States:

"Marilyn was a supernova. 'Supernovae occur when a supergiant star collapses suddenly at the end of its life' To me in this picture, she is luminous and proud, a perfect form. The happiness she sought is radiating from this picture, if only for a moment."

Stacy from the United States:

"She looks as beautiful as cherries in the snow. She is exuberantly lovely. No one can match her power over the still lens. Dressed only in a simple red sweater she captivates the viewer with the power of her beauty. Yet...even now, her fate tip-toes in on cat's feet and we worry for her. She inspires us with her lovliness and still we find ourselves catching our breath in anticipation of her sorrows to come. She is gentle and tender, the inspiration for our best wishes, and she calls to us from that fair land, that she is finally safe and we should worry no more."

Ross from Australia:

"The Marilyn photo that means the most to me is the very first one I ever saw of her. It was back in 1953 when I was a 10 year old boy and I saw this photo in a magazine. I immediately cut it out and kept it (I still have it!!). I'm not sure now that I knew who she was but I was struck by her luminous beauty, and it was the start of a life long fascination with this lovely woman. Seeing this shot changed my life completely!"


Tony from Italy:

She had such a sweet way
To hide her embarrassment
When she talked and smiled Ironically
her eyes were closed/looked down for her misfortunes

When I see her hands
It catches me
To see them with such elegance
The friendly movements
I could barely hold back the urge
To grap her ... to take care for her ...
By a photo or movie clips
Or as here, seated during an interview

This never was reality for me
I was not even born at the time
Although compared to many other people
She was special… very special
..

Congratulations to all the winners. I'll be in touch to get your address so I can mail your book to you.

Thanks to everyone for participating in this contest. See below just a few of the exceptional photographs of Marilyn from Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis.

Liz Smith on "My Week With Marilyn"

Liz Smith reviews "My Week With Marilyn," along with providing some comments on the star-studded screening of the film.

Source: www.wowowow.com.

“WHEN I was growing up I wanted to be either Mickey Mantle or Bert Stern. But later, when I thought about it, I preferred Stern. Mickey Mantle hit a lot of balls and got drunk a lot. But Bert Stern got to meet all of the world’s most beautiful women!”

That was Harvey Weinstein’s introduction of photographer Bert Stern, at a special screening of The Weinstein Company’s feature, “My Week With Marilyn.”

The screening was held downtown at the Milk Gallery, which is currently exhibiting a collection of photos of Monroe, “Picturing Marilyn.” These run the gamut from fresh-scrubbed Norma Jeane in 1945 to the weary but still lovely goddess of 1962. One of Mr. Stern’s most beautiful shots of Marilyn, in a backless, black Dior gown dominates the entrance to the exhibit. The flamboyant sex-symbol is elegance personified.

Dior was one of the sponsors of the event. Indeed fashion model Dree Hemingway — daughter of Mariel Hemingway and the great-granddaughter of Ernest, was on hand, swanning around in what was said to be the very same Dior gown Monroe had worn in the Stern photos. Or at least it was an excellent copy. Dree looked lovely, though it was bittersweet imagining how gorgeous Monroe herself must have looked in this dress.


* * *

THE SCREENING also attracted, as co-hosts, Celeste Holm (she was one of the big stars of “All About Eve” in which Marilyn had a small but showy role) and actress Joan Copeland, Arthur Miller’s sister. Also peering closely at the pictures of Marilyn were Ben Shenkman … Dan Abrams … Bruce Weber … Matt Stone … Calvin Klein and his Nick Gruber … Simon Curtis, director of “My Week With Marilyn” and one of the film’s stars, Dominic Cooper who plays Milton Greene) … Beverly Johnson and — giving Marilyn a run as the most gorgeous blonde in the room, Christie Brinkley — in head-to-toe shades of caramel.

Miss Brinkley is jaw-droppingly beautiful — so statuesque, so shapely, so radiant it’s almost scary. But she doesn’t have that scary look. If she has employed methods other than good clean living to stop the clock, it’s been done with an expert touch. She is still beaming from her adventures in London with the production of “Chicago.” She had been a big hit on Broadway in the long-running revival. And she is super-excited about a line of beauty products she is launching online. Christie is certainly her own best advertisement! At one point, Christie and Beverly Johnson embraced and posed for photos together. The sight of these two great beauties, supermodels of decades past, but still looking in their prime, stopped the room cold. Or hot.

* * *

AH, YES — the movie. Much has been said — mostly by the film’s star, Michelle Williams — about the difficulty of portraying the many sides of Marilyn, her variety of voices and personas. Miss Williams is a wonderful actress and no doubt she means every word she utters, but the Marilyn of her creation is a dreary, depressed, dim creature. In fact, it is the Marilyn of Arthur Miller’s “The Misfits.” (Marilyn hated her role in that film, complaining endlessly of the girl’s passivity.)

This movie is based on the highly suspect memoirs of Colin Clark, a lowly go-fer on the set of “The Prince and the Showgirl,” which was filmed in London, in 1956. Colin and Monroe became “close” he averred. The characterization offers nothing of Monroe’s wit, humor, intelligence or — and this is vital — her anger. Her reactions to events were not always a depressed collapse. She was capable of intense, extraordinary rages. She had a sharp tongue. She could fight back, and she did. But “My Week With Marilyn” presents nothing but her fears. Or a perceived stupidity. Williams has to utter lines like, “Gee, I wish I could read all these books” when entering a library, or, “I met the Queen. She said my dress was pretty.”

Worse, all the other characters in the film — Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench as Dame Sybil Thorndike, Julia Ormond as Vivien Leigh, Eddie Redmayne as Colin — are compelled to say how “extraordinary” Monroe is, despite her neurotic behavior. Then we see Miss Williams enacting various scenes from “The Prince and the Showgirl.” Problem? She is not Marilyn Monroe. And so, she does not seem extraordinary at all. I admire Miss Williams for her efforts and sincerity, but in the end, she has given one more imperfect impersonation of Marilyn.

* * *

HOWEVER, the worst served by “My Week With Marilyn” is the late photographer Milton Greene. This man admired and loved Marilyn, encouraged her ambitions, supported her financially during her year-long strike against 20th Century Fox. He co-produced “The Prince and the Showgirl.” Their partnership ended badly, but he never spoke ill of her, never exploited their relationship or her image. Dominic Cooper plays Milton like a foul-mouthed NYC gangster, just another user. One wonders what Amy Greene, Milton’s ex-wife, who lived through The Marilyn Years with Milton, would think of this portrayal. (I ran into Amy Greene by chance, just last year. Still razor-sharp, she spoke lovingly of both Marilyn and Milton, “That was their golden time,” she said.)

You know what? Just check out “The Prince and the Showgirl” the next time Turner Classic Movies runs it. It is a testament to the talents of Monroe and Milton Greene.

No more pretty blonde ladies playing dress up, pretending to be Marilyn. It just doesn’t work. Sorry, Michelle.

New Collection Piece Added: Marilyn Monroe's Personal Ivory Cotton Overcoat

I'm thrilled to announce the newest addition to the Marilyn Monroe Collection: Marilyn Monroe's personal ivory cotton overcoat, originating from the 1999 Christie's Sale, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe." This coat is from Marilyn's personal wardrobe, with labels reading "Styled by Lawrence of London," and "Bergdorf Goodman on the Plaza, New York."

On June 28, 1961, Marilyn Monroe checked in to Polyclinic Hospital in New York City to have her gallbladder removed. This was the fifth time she had been in the hospital in just ten months. Joe DiMaggio kept her company throughout.

Marilyn wore this overcoat as she exited Polyclinic Hospital on July 11, 1961, following gallbladder surgery.

When Marilyn was discharged she was practically mobbed by well-wishers and photographers as she left. She later said, "It was scary. I felt for a few minutes as if they were just going to take pikes out of me. Actually it made me feel a little sick. I mean I appreciated the concern and their affection and all that, but - I don't know -it was a little like a nightmare. I wasn't sure I was going to get into the car safely and get away!"



Click here for a YouTube video of Marilyn exiting the hospital.