My Days On Youtube Are Over

I am very sad to announce that my youtube account (Marilynfan) has been terminated.  It only takes 3 complaints of copyright infringement for them to shut you down.  I guess I am lucky that it took 5 years for that to happen.  It is just a shame that people (like the last nail in the coffin from Tom Kelley Estate) didn't just contact me directly.  I would have happily removed it.

Thanks to all the fans who have visited and commented on my videos over the years!  We almost made it to a million views!!!

The Windy City Welcomes Marilyn Monroe

Chicago -- Marilyn Monroe's billowing skirt shows it's possible to catch a nice breeze in the Windy City.

As dozens of people watched Friday, a 26-foot-tall sculpture of Monroe in her famous pose from the "The Seven Year Itch" was unveiled on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. In the movie, a draft catches Monroe's dress as she passes over a subway grate.

Many in the crowd that descended on the plaza throughout the day - including a tuxedo-clad wedding party - wasted little time positioning themselves under the movie star's dress to catch a subway-level view and take pictures with their cell phone cameras. Not that Monroe, her eyes closed and a sublime smile on her face, seemed to notice.

Some of those who took pictures of the sculpture called "Forever Marilyn" were surprised when they came around the back of the sculpture and saw honest-to-goodness lace panties on the movie icon. The film scene and photographs taken from it left much more to the imagination than artist Seward Johnson's sculpture.

Just about the only ones who weren't happy with the view were Kendall and his 11-year-old buddy Raymond Qualls - who made sure everybody understood that when he took his picture, it was from the front of the sculpture and not behind or under it.

"I think her dress should be down," said Kendall, as Raymond nodded in agreement.

The sculpture, particularly the look on Monroe's face, captures the magic that people still feel a half century after the movie star's death, said 52-year-old Pam Jennelle, of Orlando.

"She's beautiful," she said. "How can you not love Marilyn Monroe?"

Chicago has a history of public art displays, including a herd of fiberglass cows that lined Michigan Avenue some years back. The plaza where Monroe will be stationed until next spring was the home a few years ago to another Johnson sculpture: the equally iconic, though far less glamorous, farmer and his spinster daughter from Grant Wood's "American Gothic."

-Associated Press

This reminds me of the huge billboard used to promote Seven Year Itch.   That also made quite the spectacle.  

Peter's New Triumph Tribute to Marilyn

I wanted to share these great photos from a fellow Marilyn fan named Peter.  He recently purchased this fantastic Triumph motorcycle featuring an image of marilyn on the front.  What a beauty and thanks for sending along the photos.

Smurfette has Marilyn Moment in Upcoming Movie

The original Blue Man Group is back....with a female in toe.   Just saw an ad on TV for the new Smurf movie featuring Smurfette doing her best Marilyn over a new york city subway grating :)

5 Marilyn Monroe Tattoos Added

Thanks to Botos, Ashley, Meagan and Tonya for sending in photos of their new tattoos.  Jessica sent along an updated photo that is gorgeous.  Loved seeing the photo that inspired that tattoo in it.

River of No Return Screening at UCLA

UCLA is hosting a 10 film retrospective of Robert Mitchum.  The film he did with Marilyn, River of No Return, is showing on July 23 at the Billy Wilder Theater.  Producer Stanley Rubin will be in attendance.

For more information and to purchase tickets
http://www.cinema.ucla.edu/events/2011-07-23/river-no-return-1954

Prince and Showgirl Screening in Walsall UK

For any UK fans near Walsall - don't miss out on the Prince and the Showgirl Screening on July 8 at Forest Art Centre.  More info below...

Cinema fans are set to be taken back to the golden era of cinema at Walsall Museum's latest 'Your Corner' display, exploring the story behind the controversial 1950s film The Prince and the Showgirl.

The exhibition, which opened yesterday (Wednesday), has been put together by local man Ian Payne who has an extensive collection of material relating to cinema history and, in particular, to the career of local actor Richard Wattis, who grew up in Walsall and featured in the film and the stage play on which it was based, The Sleeping Prince.

The film also starred Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe, but was dogged by problems from the start, with tensions between the two stars.

But the display at Walsall Museum could not come at a better time as it opens amid a revival of interest in The Prince and the Showgirl due to the production of a film about the making of the original movie, which stars Kenneth Brannagh as Olivier and Richard Clifford as Richard Wattis.

This month also sees the centenary of the birth of the playwright Terrence Rattigan who wrote The Sleeping Prince.

The display can be seen in The Changing Face of Walsall gallery until Saturday, July 9.

In addition, Forest Arts Centre, in Hawbush Road, Leamore, will be holding a screening of The Prince and the Showgirl, with a short presentation beforehand about Richard Wattis from Ian Payne, on Friday, July 8, at 2pm.

Tickets are priced £2 or £1 and are obtainable from Forest Arts Centre.