Marilyn Monroe Kick

I've been on a Marilyn Monroe kick. 

A few weeks ago, I read her "autobiography" My Story, which to be honest, I'm not sure how autobiographical it really was. She didn't complete it due to her death, but it was interesting. It got me wanting to know more.

So I am currently reading The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe, written by J. Randy Taraborrelli. This author is a sensationalist. He sells books on dirt... and it doesn't even have to be true dirt. 

Regardless, the book is rather in-depth and realistically truthful. It's both sad and enlightening simultaneously.

Then, because the books weren't enough, I watched one of her most famous films The Seven Year Itch yesterday.

It's a ridiculous movie and the script (based on a play - which is obvious with the scene setups) wouldn't pass the studio writer networks of today. So sexist and misogynistic... it's laughable.

But, this story is also an extreme satire. It's to be taken with a grain of salt. And with Marilyn in it, it works. I can see why it worked back in 1955. (It, however, would never fly today.)

Having said that, I'm glad I saw it. Knowing how drugged up she was and the chronically late-to-filming type of lady she was, it's a wonder she completed any movie she made. 

Obvious side note here: She was beautiful. I cannot believe how beautiful she was in this movie. Just under 30 years old, she looks incredible. She looks perfect.

I would recommend seeing this movie just to understand why she became who she became. She's beautiful, acts the ditzy blonde perfectly, and yes, she can act. Not to mention, the dress is one of the most famous of her dresses (other than the JFK birthday song one). This is Marilyn - being Marilyn Monroe - in one of her best roles.

And the dresses and outfits they put her in are beyond words. The polka dot dress at the beginning of the movie is exquisite. I think the maker of that dress is Travilla. If I EVER find a Travilla dress in my vintage sourcing, I will probably be keeping it forever. He was one of Monroe’s favorite designers.

Travilla Dress

She also had an enormous negative mental history within her family (mentally unstable mother, grandfather, etc.) and a horrible self-image (she was incredibly insecure).

It's hard to believe the Marilyn we see on the screen is the same one who was so tortured in real life. She was a true actress.

It's also remarkable to see she lasted as long as she did in Hollywood.

Which is one of the most notable things about her. Only those closest to her knew her troubles. Everyone who adored her was clueless about the demons she fought.

Knowing all this, I still love Marilyn Monroe. More than anything, I feel bad for her. All she wanted was love; she wanted to be loved for who she was. 

If only she'd known the truth, that she was loved for who she was by those who truly knew her, and that God loved her too, it would've made a world of difference.

She surrounded herself with the wrong people. The wrong things. And she was lied to. Constantly. She also yearned for validation from the very people who didn't give a damn about her. She was looking for validation from people who could never care about her.

Her life is not much different than the celebrity-ism that goes on today. We have the same issues, the same lies, the same insecurities, and focus on things that don't matter. It ruins people. Hollywood is generally a soul-sucking place and that's precisely what happened with Marilyn.

Marilyn Monroe was a beauty and her beauty remains today, sealed at the age of 36 when she died in 1962. 

If you're interested in her story, read about her. These books are both fascinating and a warning: fame can - and will - destroy you if you don't know how to handle it. Fame is fickle. Fame is short-lived. Fame, if you let it, is a liar.

Now, to leave things on a happy note, if you love vintage fashion, watch her wardrobe change in this movie. Every dress is exquisite. And that is something to be happy about.

Happy Marilyn Monday.