More Marilyn Costumes Sold at Debbie Reynolds Auction Part Two

The second part of Debbie Reynolds collection was sold today at auction by Profiles in History.  As you may recall the first auction included the white seven year itch dress which sold for 4 million dollars.  In fact, all of Marilyn's dresses went for over $500,000.  It is surprising to me that the dresses sold today only reached half of that.  Perhaps it is because this second auction was not publicized as much as the first one.  Maybe the white dress was such a big draw that it brought attention to the other costumes being sold at the same time.

Description:

This is the signature costume for Marilyn’s character “Cherie”, the naïve yet determined saloon singer heading for Hollywood in Joshua Logan’s romantic Western from the play by William Inge, Bus Stop. It is also one of the most iconic and indelible looks from her entire career, being a top choice for publicity images of Marilyn even to this very day. In it, she performs (intentionally naively) “That Old Black Magic”, winning the heart of the handsome and rather eager cowboy played by Don Murray. This was to be the last of the great collaborations between Marilyn and her favorite costume designer, William Travilla. TCF handwritten label “Marilyn Monroe A-769-03”. Exhibits sequin loss along neckline and minimal sequin loss on bodice, and straps have been replaced.

SOLD FOR $230,000

Description:

Elegant, two-piece evening gown designed by Travilla of an aubergine steel gray couched in meandering-pattern braid and accented by two aubergine satin trains flowing from the waist. Handwritten studio tag inside dress reads “1-27-3-7914 M. MONROE A-698-53,” and jacket has handwritten label “1-41-2-0570 Marilyn Monroe A-698-16.” Worn quite memorably by Miss Monroe for several scenes, from her clever efforts to remove Elliot Reid’s clothes in order to search them, to being stuck halfway through a porthole, requiring rescue by her youngest suitor Mr. Henry Spofford III (age 9, going on 21). Material on waist is detached two inches, else Fine as screen-worn.

SOLD FOR $260,000

Description:

Pale green silk pleated strapless dress adorned with rhinestones (a few of which are missing). TCF label handwritten “F-13 M. Monroe”. Designed to be unbearably sexy without also being un-releasable due to censorship, a condition several earlier costumes designed for Marilyn suffered from. Worn for the title number, in which Marilyn offers herself upon a mid-century-modern stage of cross-rotating apartment flats, first to Frankie Vaughan, then Yves Montand (in his fantasy sublimation). This timeless creation by Dorothy Jeakins remains one of the most attractive costumes ever created for this legendary actress.

SOLD FOR $240,000

Description:

Light aqua two-piece raw silk suit with Monroe Lloyd of California label. A rather conservative look for Marilyn, which was deliberately chosen by her character as Joseph Cotten’s unfaithful wife, off to an illicit rendezvous with her lover under Niagara Falls in Henry Hathaway’s Niagara. The indelible image of Marilyn’s hips swinging as she walks away in this form-fitted outfit is considered one of the great “sex in cinema” sequences released during the height of the censorship Production Code. This 2-piece suit was modified under Dorothy Jeakins’ direction from an off-the-rack couture ensemble. Shoulders exhibit light soiling, and skirt has 2 in. tear at split, otherwise Fine as screen-worn.

SOLD FOR $210,000

Marilyn Monroe Metamorphosis Video Book Review

I was playing around with my iphone and thought I would give doing a video book review a shot.  I recently received the new book "Marilyn Monroe Metamorphosis" by David Wills.  It is a beautiful photography book.  Let me know if you like the video reviews and what other books you'd like to see in the comments.



If you'd rather read my review you can go here.

Please consider ordering your copy through this amazon link.  Thanks ever so!

My Week With Marilyn Review

I just got home from watching "My Week with Marilyn" starring Michelle Williams.  I had to drive an hour each way to find a theatre near me that was showing it.  Thankfully, it was worth my effort.  I was not expecting to be impressed with the film due to the book it was based on but I have to say that I loved it.  I'll try to give you my thoughts without giving away spoilers.

Michelle did a wonderful job portraying Marilyn.  Of course she does not look and sound exactly like her but I don't think that is necessary.  She certainly embodied Marilyn's mannerisms and I enjoyed watching her.  When she first appeared on the screen in the Prince and Showgirl dress it took my breath away.

Kenneth Branagh was amazing as Oliver.  I truly enjoyed watching his scenes.  I don't think the Milton Greene character was depicted well.  He seemed to be working for Oliver in the film and it did not show how close Marilyn and him actually were.  Miller was also a secondary type of character.  The movie was really all Oliver, Marilyn and Colin.

I surprised that I was able to get over the fact that they claim this film is based on a true story and most fans think Colin Clark completely fabricated his relationship with Marilyn.  While I don't think most of the events depicted in the film actually happened it doesn't really matter.  I found myself enjoying it as a a piece of fiction.  It remained true to Marilyn as a person and I don't think they exploited her to make the film.  

In the end I think the reason why I enjoyed it so much is because it was based on such a specific event in her life (filming of Prince and Showgirl) instead of being a true biopic.  I really didn't know what was going to happen next as I haven't read Clark's second book, My Week with Marilyn.  I found it refreshing that it wasn't a rehash of her entire life story and of course it was wonderful not to have to sit through another horrible death scene.

The best thing about this film is that it is going to bring new fans to Marilyn and remind older fans why they feel in love with her in the first place.  As I was leaving the theatre I listened to a couple of older ladies in front of me describe how difficult it must have been to work with Marilyn.  Then they conceded that it was all worth it in the end because of how she connected with the camera.  They both remembered seeing Gentlemen Prefer Blondes when it came out and expressed how much they loved her in that.  It left me smiling that she is still appreciated today. 

New Kim Goodwin Doll

I'm proud to display Kim Goodwin's latest Marilyn doll creation.  He has captured Marilyn as she appeared at the 1954 photoplay awards.  If you haven't visited Kim's doll section on my website you are missing out.  His dolls remain the best likeness of Marilyn ever captured.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope all my US friends are enjoying a great turkey day!  Don't shop too much tomorrow :)

Win tickets to the Toronto Screening of My Week With Marilyn

ALL OF THE WINNERS HAVE NOW BEEN NOTIFIED.  

*UPDATE THE NOV 21 SCREENING HAS BEEN MOVED TO NOV 24.

Attention Toronto Fans - Be one of the first people to see the new film "My Week with Marilyn" starring Michelle Williams.  I am giving away free passes to an advance screening of this film.  See it before it is released to the public!!

The screenings will take place in Toronto on Wednesday November 23  and Thursday November 24 at 7:00pm.    Winners will receive admission for themselves and a guest.

There will be 20 winners selected....yes you heard me right....I have 20 double passes to this film available!!!

To enter this contest email me at marilynfan@gmail.com with the answer to the following question:

Michelle Williams portrays Marilyn Monroe during the making of what film?

Please include which date you would prefer if you are chosen as a winner.  Entries need to be received by 12:00pm on Saturday November 19, 2011.  Winners will be drawn at random from all correct entries.  You will need access to a printer in order to redeem your tickets.

About the film:
In the early summer of 1956, 23 year-old Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), just down from Oxford and determined to make his way in the film business, worked as a lowly assistant on the set of ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’. The film that famously united Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) and Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams), who was also on honeymoon with her new husband, the playwright Aurthur Miller (Dougray Scott).

Nearly 40 years on, his diary account The Prince, the Showgirl and Me was published, but one week was missing and this was published some years later as My Week with Marilyn – this is the story of that week.  When Arthur Miller leaves England, the coast is clear for Colin to introduce Marilyn to some of the pleasures of British life; an idyllic week in which he escorted a Monroe desperate to get away from her retinue of Hollywood hangers-on and the pressures of work. 

 

Night Before Christmas Marilyn

I have been wanting to get the Night Before Christmas Franklin Mint Marilyn doll for many years now.  Every Christmas I think wouldn't it be nice to have that doll to display as some festive decoration.  I prefer to get just the dresses now (when that is possible) because I have the Marilyn trunk to store them in.  This way I can pull this outfit out each year and dress her up for the holidays :)  I found this one on Ebay for a good price.  It is currently in transit but I can't wait for it to arrive.

Shop Franklint Mint for great Xmas gifts

10% off if you use the coupon code MARILYN or you can get free shipping using MINTSHIP