55th Anniversary Memorial Week

I'm very excited to be attending the amazing events being organized by the Immortal Marilyn and Marilyn Remembered Fanclubs for the 55th anniversary of Marilyn's passing.

All of the details can be found here...

    Marilyn Memorial Week 2017

Marilyn and the Oscars

Although there is no more enduring Hollywood star or icon of the film industry than Marilyn, she never received an Academy Award in recognition of her talent, either in her own lifetime or posthumously.  Recognition was more forthcoming from other countries (France and Italy) than from her own.

The closest Marilyn ever got to an Oscar was in 1951, a year before she had graduated to top-star billing, when she went to the Pantages Theater (6233 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood) to present the Best Achievement in Sound Oscar to Thomas Moulton for his work in ALL ABOUT EVE (1950).  For the occasion she looked resplendent in a off-the-shoulder gown borrowed from the Fox wardrobe department.  There was drama just before she was due to go on stage, when she noticed a small rip in the dress.  A bevy of Fox handlers had to fix the rip ad calm her nerves sufficiently for her to conquer her stage fright.

The closest Marilyn came to winning on her own merits was rumors of a Best Actress nomination for her performance in BUS STOP (1956), and then two years later for SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959).  On neither occasion did the nomination materialize; the Oscars going in 1956 to Ingrid Bergman (Anastasia) and in 1959 to Simone Signoret (Room at the Top). Her co-star Don Murray was nominated for his role in BUS STOP.   On two separate occasions, film columists have suggested giving Marilyn a special posthumous career Oscar, first in 1963, then ten years later.

-from The Marilyn Encyclopedia by Adam Victor

Footage does exist from Marilyn's appearance at the Oscars!





The franklin mint also released a doll featuring Marilyn's beautiful gown from this event.

Marilyn Film Festival in Toronto

Lucky fans in the Toronto area can view some Marilyn films on the big screen.  TIFF in Toronto is screening several Marilyn and Liz Taylor movies to coincide with a Warhol exhibit.  These are the upcoming titles:

The Seven Year Itch

December 13

Monkey Business

December 18

Bus Stop

December 21

The Prince and the Showgirl 

December 27

Let's Make Love

December 28

River of No Return

January 5

The Misfits 

January 7

More info here on TIFF website

Marilyn Forever Blonde coming to Toronto!

For any Marilyn fans in Toronto - you finally have a chance to see the amazing Sunny Thompson in her one woman show Marilyn Forever Blonde!  It is playing at the Winter Garden Theatre from Feb 11 - Mar 1.

Tickets can be purchased online here
 http://www.ticketmaster.ca/Marilyn-Forever-Blonde-tickets/artist/2067457?tm_link=edp_Artist_Name

I highly recommend this show.  Here is my review from my trip to see it in Michigan.  http://www.marilynmonroe.ca/camera/travel/michigan.htm

Opening Night

I had a fantastic night at the opening of my Marilyn exhibit on September 12.  We had a great turn out for the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".   I love sitting in the back row and watching people's reactions to the film.  It is such a joy to hear people laughing along with Marilyn's comedic genius.

It really was a thrill to meet other Marilyn fans and everyone seemed really appreciative to me for sharing my collection.  To my surprise I got the most questions about my Kim Goodwin doll.  People were really impressed with how he captured Marilyn's likeness.

I figured this was my opportunity to dress the part and look like I could have been back in the 50's.  It was so much fun.  A special thanks to Susan Rice, who did my fantastic pinup hair.

2014 Marilyn Memorial Service

For the first time ever the annual Memorial Service hosted by the Marilyn Remembered fanclub will be live streamed.  The service begins August 5th at 11:00am PST.

National Museum of Funeral History

Thanks to Danielle for passing along this information.  The National Museum of Funeral History in Houston, Texas actually has a display about Marilyn.

They have an original funeral card from her service and a genuine marble front from her crypt.  The vase and marker are replicas.

Becoming Marilyn: Asian's Model Contest 2012

More proof that 2012 has been the year of Marilyn.  She is absolutely everywhere.

Wind machines, bottle blonde wigs and lashings of lipstick on show as Asian wannabes channel the iconic star in modelling competition

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

This year marked the 50th anniversary of her death and up and coming models paid tribute to Marilyn Monroe during Asia's biggest modelling contest last night.

Finalists for the Asian Super Model 2012 were required to channel their inner Marilyn for a special segment of the competition in Nanning, China.

The young women, who are battling against each other for the title of Asian Super Model, mirrored the screen icon’s most famous poses and wore recreations of some of her most recognised dresses.

One contestant donned the pink dress the star wore while performing Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend in the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes while the moment Marilyn's white dress blew up around her legs as she stood over a subway grating while promoting 1955 movie The Seven Year Itch was also recreated.

Wannabe models from China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Colombo, Thailand and India took part in the contest.

The contest, which launched in 2006, is open to professional models who already have a portfolio.

The event has become hugely popular and is broadcast to an audience of 60 million people in China.

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. 

 

Marilyn Memorial Week 2012

Even though it is almost a year away, plans are underway for the Marilyn Memorial Week in August 2012.  Fans from all over the world will be gathering to celebrate Marilyn's life on the 50th anniversary of her death.

It is a great chance to meet other Marilyn fans and participate in some once in a lifetime events.  This is bound to be the largest gathering yet because of the special anniversary.  There is so much to do it lasts a whole week!

The Immortal Marilyn fan club is organizing some wonderful events that you won't want to miss including a pool party and Marilyn homes and haunts tour.  I am looking to organize a day trip to the Del Coronado where Some Like it Hot was filmed.  In addition, Sunny Thompson will be bringing her one-woman show Marilyn Forever Blonde to join the events.  The week culminates with the annual Marilyn memorial service  which takes place in the chapel where her original funeral was held.

If you have ever thought about traveling to LA - next year is the time to come.  Reservations for hotel rooms are already underway.  If you are interested in sharing a room with other fans to save costs I would suggest you join the Immortal Marilyn facebook page.  It is a great place to meet others who are coming and make arrangements.

I have created a new page on my website with all of the details you need to know.  http://www.marilynmonroe.ca/camera/memorial2012/

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.

I MET BERT STERN!!

I am still trying to believe the opportunity that I got on June 16.  The reclusive photographer, Bert Stern, was scheduled to attend the opening of his new exhibit "Jewels" in Toronto.  Stern, 82, was set for his first visit to Canada to visit the Izzy Gallery where 34 of his photos are on display.  A rare feat indeed for such a small intimate art gallery.  I learned about Stern's appearance by reading this online article the day before and immediately made plans to attend.

Marilyn fans the world over have fawned over Stern's photographs that he took in July 1962 shortly before her death.  Regardless of your view on whether he should have published photos that Marilyn herself had X'd out there is no denying his photographs are truly legendary.  I am personally a big fan of this time period and Marilyn style and "The Complete Last Sitting" is one of my favourite books.

How is this for dedication - It took me 3 hours to get there with traffic and I stayed for 1 hour and immediately had to turn around and go another 2 hours to get home :)  I was praying the whole time that Stern would not cancel and that he would be civil enough to sign a book for me.  It was an experience in itself lugging my copy of The Complete Last Sitting through the subway and walking 4 blocks to get to the gallery.  

The Izzy Gallery in located in an area of Toronto known as Yorkville.  I had never been there before and was really taken by all the interesting restaurants and shops.  There was a doorman at the gallery and as soon as I came through the door was offered some wine.  Stern had not arrived yet so I walked around the room and looked at the photographs.

All of the photos were of well known personalities including; Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Kate Moss, Twiggy and of course Marilyn.  I enjoyed seeing that he included one of his Lindsay Lohan (left) shots as well.  All of the large scale photographs had been adorned by Stern with crystals, hence the name of the exhibit "Jewels".  Stern's choice of photos were impressive, however, I don't think the added sparkle worked for all of them.  Sometimes I preferred the original untouched photo.  One that I did like showed Marilyn holding up a scarf (above) and the added accents worked well.

There was media outside the gallery awaiting Stern's arrival.  When the cameras started flashing I knew that he was really here.  He came inside looked at his work along one of the walls and then sat in one of two chairs in the center of the room.  I didn't see anyone else approaching him with a book to sign and was really worried as to how he'd react.  I had a really bad experience with another Marilyn photog who refused to sign something so I was a little gun shy as it was.  I was thrilled when a guy appeared with his own copy and broke the ice first.  I could see Stern sign his book so I was up next.

I bent down and shook his hand.  I told him I was a big fan of his work and it was truly a thrill to meet him and if he'd sign my book.  He waved to hand him the book and asked my name.  I was in total awe watching him sign the book.  It was like he was painting a picture.  He explained that the little V's he added were birds.  No idea what they represent but I'm thrilled to have them.  I thanked him again and that was it.

I stood across from his chair for awhile and watched as the media came into the gallery.  The local news was interviewing a young woman who appeared to be with Stern (not sure if it was his wife as I never saw the footage on TV).  I noticed Jeanne Becker from Fashion TV crouch down in front of Stern and attempt to get an interview from him.  She tried for some time but in the end gave up.

Riding back on the subway I kept looking at the invitation to the event and then the inscription in my book and realized just how amazing the night had been and how lucky I was.

If you live in the Toronto area you can visit Izzy Gallery and see Stern's latest work until July 9, 2011.

Here is a photo I took of Stern and a scan of the invitation to the event:

Meeting Marilyn Photographer George Zimbel

I had the honour today of attending a lecture by George Zimbel at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario.  Zimbel's work is on display at the museum as part of the Marilyn in Canada exhibit.  

"In 1954, George Zimbel was among a small group of photographers who documented the famous scene from The Seven Year Itch which captured the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe in her white billowing dress; an early example of his view that photography is the art of spontaneity. This special lecture will position these Marilyn Monroe images within the history of photography and highlight Zimbel’s own artistic practice of non-intervention."


Zimbel is now 81 years old and the talk was also attended by his wife of over 50 years.  He actually proposed and married her shortly after the seven year itch shoot.  Zimbel was one of a number of photographers on the set of the dress blowing scene.  He spent approximately 2 hours on the set, which he admits he was removed from because he continued to take photos after filming began.


He was 25 years old and was there simply to document this moment in history.  He was not on assignment and did nothing with the photos until 20 years later in 1974 when they started appearing in galleries.  When asked why he waited so long it became clear that Marilyn was a blip in his life's work and not something he focused on.  He worked only in black and white and still develops his own photos. He considers himself a documentary photographer where he captures a moment that is happening instead of trying to create a scene.  

During the lecture he walked us through a slideshow of some of his photos from that day.  It was truly amazing as I had never seen some of them before.  In particular he had photos of the stand-ins for Marilyn and Tom Ewell testing the dress blowing on the grate.  There was also shots that showed Natasha Lytess and of course Marilyn perched on her heels on that grating so her heels did not fall through.


The most powerful shots he captured showed Joe DiMaggio's reaction to Marilyn's skirt being blown up over her head.  To actually see Joe on that night when we all know there was a massive blow-out between them after this and a divorce to follow.  We can see Joe walking away with his friend, Walter Winchell after watching the crowd reaction to his wife in her underwear.  The next shot is Marilyn looking sad watching Joe leave.  It is my favourite shot by Zimbel, she is standing there so serene framed by darkness.  


Zimbel also mentioned a close friend and fellow photographer who was also there taking shots of Marilyn.  You can see him in some of Zimbel's shots.  His name was Ed Feingersh and several times it was mentioned that his life ended way too soon and then finally the admission that he had committed suicide.  Feingersh took the Chanel No. 5 photos of Marilyn the following year in 1955.


I'm excited to report that Mr. Zimbel signed my copy of BW magazine featuring his photos!

To see more on George Zimbel watch this segment of the documentary Marilyn Still Life (he appears around 1 minute in) where he revisits the subway grating and discusses his photos.

Happy Birthday Marilyn Exhibit

Marilyn Monroe would have turned 85 years old on June 1, 2011. In recognition of this momentous occasion, the Andrew Weiss Gallery and the Marilyn Remembered Fan Club are pleased to present an exciting new exhibit titled simply, "Happy Birthday Marilyn."

In honor of Marilyn's birthday Marilyn Monroe fans around the world are invited to send personal birthday greetings to the screen legend and become part of an historic exhibition combining your wishes with one of the world's most in-depth collections of Marilyn photographs. The photos span her entire life, from the very first images to the last, taken by renowned photographers Bill Carroll, Milton Greene, Tom Kelley, Bert Stern, and George Barris. This exhibit is the first ever of its kind to include the world-wide Marilyn Monroe community.

The exhibit will run June 1, 2011 through August 13th, 2011.

A special reception will be held for the Marilyn Remembered Fan Club on Sunday, May 29, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, before the exhibition opens to the public. A reading of selected cards will begin at 3:00pm. All Marilyn Monroe fans are invited to this special event, and refreshments will be served.

DETAILS FOR SENDING CARDS:

Greetings can be submitted in the form of a traditional birthday card, either store bought or handmade, or in the form of personally created/designed digital art. Paper birthday cards will be displayed along the walls of the gallery, and digital art will be compiled into a slide show that will be displayed on a large flat screen television in the gallery.

Please mail purchased or handmade birthday cards to:

The Andrew Weiss Gallery
Attn: Marilyn Monroe
179 South Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, California 90212

Please sign your name with the name of your country visible on the inside of the card. Please do not exceed a card size of 5.5"x 8.5" due to space considerations. Note that all cards received will become part of the Marilyn Remembered Fan Club's permanent archives.

Please email personally designed digital artwork to: MarilynRemembered@yahoo.com.

Please include your name with the name of your country visible on the artwork, and submit in .jpg format only.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL:

Birthday cards and personally designed digital art must be received no later than Friday, May 20 in order to be included in the exhibit.

For more information please contact MarilynRemembered@yahoo.com or info@andrewweiss.com.

Forever Blonde in Palm Springs March 18-22

I drove to Michigan in order to see Sunny's show and it was totally worth it.  My review here.  So if you are anywhere in the Palm Springs area or can drive there - you should really see this show.
MARILYN: FOREVER BLONDE APPEARING IN PALM SPRINGS!
March 18 - 22, 2011
The Annenberg Theater • Palm Springs Art Museum
101 Museum Dr • Palm Springs, CA
For Tickets at the Box Office Call (760) 325-4490
or Visit www.AnnenbergTheater.org

My Visit to the McMichael

I attended the opening day of the Marilyn Monroe exhibit at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.  I would recommend it to everyone.  It isn't very often that something like this comes to Ontario.  It is the last stop on the international tour of the "Life as a Legend" exhibit.  I had seen this exhibit in Michigan and I found the McMichael version was on a much smaller scale.  They had a secondary exhibit called "Marilyn in Canada" which featured photos from her time in Canada and other ties (ex. Canadian photographers who have taken her photos).  The most interesting piece to me was a candid colour photo taken of Marilyn with her crutches by a lifeguard at the Banff pool.  There was also some vintage Canadian magazines talking about Marilyn's time filming in Canada.

They have a room dedicated to the Tom Kelly red velvet sitting.  It features several original prints and also my Golden Dream and New Wrinkle calendars.  I also lent my Playboy #1 and it was displayed in a case in this room opened to the Tom Kelly centerfold.  I've never had my items on display like this before so I was pretty excited to see them.

They also have a gift shop that I would recommend you stop by if your looking for some great Marilyn items.  They had lots of Marilyn books (fragments, lost look photos, private and undisclosed), posters and other items.  I got a pink hoodie, T-shirt, purse, sticky notes, eyeglass cloth and a poster advertising the exhibit featuring a photo of Marilyn with a Mountie.

So if you are within driving distance of the McMichael in Kleinburg, Ontario you really should make an effort to visit the exhibit.  It runs until May 15, 2011.

Ontario Marilyn Monroe Exhibit Opens Feb 19

If you’re a Marilyn Monroe fan you’ll want to set aside some time to visit the McMichael Gallery on the Family Day long weekend.  

The kickoff for two new exhibitions — Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe and Marilyn in Canada — exploring the legend behind one of Hollywood’s most influential stars takes place Saturday, Feb. 19 with special programs running all weekend long.

“Although it has been fifty years since the death of Marilyn Monroe, worldwide interest in her life and career has sustained,” McMichael chief curator Katerina Atanassova said in a news release. “Our two exhibitions examine how the art world has been motivated by the myth and legend of this iconic actress.”
Life as a Legend, an international touring exhibition making its final stop in Vaughan, features paintings, photographs and prints by renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana, Eduardo Paolozzi, Richard Avedon and Henri Cartier-Bresson.  

Marilyn in Canada provides a glimpse into Ms Monroe’s experiences while filming in Canada as well as her popularity among Canadian artists including Shelley Niro, John Vachon and George S. Zimbel.   

During opening weekend, the gallery will feature movie theatre lobby décor, screenings of Ms Monroe’s films plus a special Marilyn prix-fixe menu at the Seven Restaurant. 

You can also join McMichael educators for a series of 20-minute tours of Marilyn’s Fragments and Fabulous 1950s, check out documentary films chronicling Ms Monroe’s life and listen to music by DJ Goin’ Steady.  
 
On Sunday, Feb. 20 those who dress up like Ms. Monroe will get in for free and have a chance to strut their stuff on the “red carpet” in the Grand Hall at 1 p.m. 

Silkscreen workshops for the whole family will take place Monday, Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is at 10365 Islington Ave. just north of Major Mackenzie Drive.
For more information visit www.mcmichael.com

Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe coming to Ontario!

The wonderful Marilyn Monroe art exhibit Life as a Legend is coming to the McMichael Canadian Art Museum in Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada.  The exhibit will feature a special Marilyn in Canada section.  I am so excited to be able to see this in person.  The exhibit runs February 19 - May 15, 2011.

I have offered to lend them items from my collection so we'll see if they take me up on the offer.

Life as a Legend Exhibit at Warhol Museum

If anyone is in the Pittsburg area be sure to check out the Life as a Legend exhibit at the Warhol Museum.  This is the traveling art exhibit that features works of art inspired by Marilyn and vintage photographs of her.  It runs from Oct 23, 2010 - Jan 2, 2010.

The Museum is also showing 7 of her films!!!

November 12 - Don't Bother to Knock and Niagara

November 19 - River of No Return

December 3 - How to Marry a Millionaire and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

December 10 - Some Like it Hot

December 17 - The Misfits

They are having a 24 hour opening celebration starting October 23 - DJ playing Marilyn songs, film trivia and look alike contest included.

For more info www.warhol.org