Happy Halloween

I hope everyone has a great night - don't eat too much candy!  Here are some Marilyn pumpkins to get you in the mood.  Enjoy!  Did you do a Marilyn pumpkin this year?  If so, send me a photo.

Franklin Mint Now Ships Internationally

I am so happy to report that those of us who live outside the USA can finally order dolls from the Franklin Mint website.  International shipping is now available.  If you need a recommendation, the tiger dress doll is my favourite current doll they have available.  Just click on the link below and be sure enter the promo code MARILYN which gives visitors of my website 10% off.  The code is good until the end of the year.  Happy Shopping!

River of No Return Dress Sells for Over Half a Million Dollars

Marilyn's green dress from the film, River of No Return, sold at auction this weekend for $516,600.

She famously wore this while singing "I'm Gonna File My Claim".

It was featured in the Legends auction by Juliens Auction House in China and was sold to a private buyer.

Book Review - Marilyn Intimate Exposures by Susan Bernard

There was quite a bit of media coverage over this book simply because Lindsay Lohan wrote an introduction for it.  I personally don't have an issue with it.  I know many fans were turned off that she compared herself to Marilyn.  However, I don’t have a problem with Lindsay.  I think she has proven that she is a true fan of Marilyn (unlike other stars who get their MM tattoos removed).  My only gripe is that I would have liked to hear more about how Lindsay became a fan and what she admires in Marilyn instead of about Lindsay herself.

Perhaps to balance the introductions with new and old perspectives, Jane Russell was also included.  Most of what Jane has to say here is repeated from her autobiography.  However, it is touching to see that Marilyn was still on her mind even when Jane turned 90 years old.  Jane has since passed away so it is wonderful that Susan was able to include something fresh from her in this book.

This book is a visual journal depicting Marilyn’s career through the lens of Bernard of Hollywood.  It is an oversized gem at 10 x12 inches with 200 pages.  I am so glad they went with such a large scale to display the photos.  You can tell great care was taken in choosing the photos and the quality is fantastic.  It is a treat for the eyes with many full page and some two-page layouts.  In particular, there is a shot of Marilyn and Johnny Hyde where he is tying her party hat that is close up and stretches across 2 full pages.  While it is a familiar shot, this layout is new and the closeness of it makes it feel very intimate.   Another 2-page spread that caught my eye is a beautiful colour shot of Marilyn sitting on a globe.  The exact pose is new for me and the sheer size of it is spectacular.

Intimacy (as the title suggests) is what Susan Bernard must have been striving for in this edition of her book.  As Marilyn book collectors will be aware, Susan also published a book based on her father’s photos and journal entries called “Bernard of Hollywood’s Marilyn” in 1993.  While some photos are the same and many journal entries are identical, that is where the similarities end.  Marilyn Intimate Exposure is a far superior book.  It even includes a beautiful photographic print from the Seven Year Itch in an envelope at the back so you can frame it.

This time around Susan has included ephemera that her father kept.   It is wonderful to see his handwriting, envelopes, letters, contact sheets, etc.  It really helps establish that intimate feeling, like we are really looking through his things and his memories of Marilyn.  Visually it makes the book much more interesting than simply reprinting photos that we have already seen.  I love the look and feel of this book.  Susan has also done a wonderful job re-working her father’s journal entries and including some fresh material to tell his story of working with Marilyn.

The book covers Marilyn’s life from the young model, Norma Jeane, until her death.  I was impressed to see that Susan made an effort to dispel the lies that Robert Slatzer has told over the years (like being married to Marilyn).  There is even a conversation between Bernard and Pat Newcomb included disputing Slatzer’s claims.  For the conspiracy buffs there are etters and photos included, allegedly showing that Robert Kennedy was not in Los Angeles when Marilyn died.

Susan has done a fantastic job including something for everyone in this book. I highly recommend this book for new fans and also collectors who may already have Susan’s first book.

You can purchase this book through amazon at the link below...

You can find more information and over 90 book reviews in the Marilyn books section on my website at http://www.marilynmonroe.ca/camera/books/

Marilyn Tips for Vegas

Just returned from a trip to Vegas.  I absolutely love visiting that place.  It was my 4th trip there.  I thought I would share some Marilyn-related things in case anyone else is going soon.  If anyone is looking for a Marilyn slot machine - there was one left at the Mirage just behind the high limit slot area.  It is a dollar machine.

I visited Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum (if you go after 7pm Mon-Thurs you can get a 2-for-1 coupon here).  It was a lot more fun than I expected.  I didn't realize that the statues were out in the open and you were encouraged to pose with them.  I assumed they would all be off limits and you'd look from a distance.  That was not the case as you can see.  They even had props available - hence the bunny ears :)

I was starting to wonder if they were going to have a Marilyn statue as she was no where to be found with the other actors/actresses.  They have stuck her in the area with the political statues. I'm guessing because JFK is in the room but who knows.  It really isn't a great likeness of Marilyn.  The hair is wrong and the face really looks nothing like her.  However, it was still nice to see her there and that people were excited to pose with her - which of course I did too.

They have a gift shop when you get to the end of the exhibit (looks like you can access it whether or not you take the tour) that had some Marilyn goodies.  There was coffee mugs, tote bags, calendars and magnets.  I picked up a book and a plastic drink cup.

In the Caesars Palace Forum Shops you can find a memorabilia store called Antiquities. It is filled with framed autographs.  They also have a small Marilyn goodie section with cups, photos, postcards, clocks, etc.  I noticed a really beautiful framed Marilyn piece on the wall.  They don't allow you to take photos so I couldn't get a pic of it.  It is a letter from Marilyn to Milton Greene.  She has signed it as President of Marilyn Monroe Productions.  It is regarding giving him a copy of the Prince and the Showgirl film.  It is framed with great photos from the right time period, including one of her and Milton.  The top has a great graphic of her signature with the red lips.  I was in love with it but the price tag was $8000!!!  I didn't win big while I was there so it is still on the wall :)

Finally, I couldn't help but notice the Guess store in the Miracle Miles shopping area of Planet Hollywood.  It was filled with photos of a model who looked Marilyn inspired.  It is obviously based on Marilyn in the film, Bus Stop.  They also had TVs that were playing footage from this photo shoot.  Here are some photos from the ad campaign.