Marilyn Monroe

Meghan D

New member
It was from the beginning to the end. If I remember correctly it doesn't really go much into her childhood, the film really gets going when she is 16 and shows what her life was like before she became a blonde bombshell. Then it goes into the development of her career and the struggles in her personal life. It shows a side to her that I never knew existed. It is good and really insightful. I'll leave it there as I don't want to spoil it for you.
 
I am a huge Marilyn Monroe fan and I can tell you that 80% of what is in "Blonde" is completely made up. There's even a disclaimer right at the beginning of the programme that states everything you are about to see is a work of fiction.

I personally wouldn't bother buying any of the Marilyn biopics out there, as the majority of them are just made up bull crap, which make her out to be a sleazy tramp. And believe me, she wasn't.

But if you treat "Blonde" for what it is, a work of fiction, then you might just enjoy it.

If you're really interested in learning about Marilyn, try and buy any of the actual documentaries on her life (the best one I have seen to date is Marilyn: The Mortal Goddess which is shown regularly on Bio channel) there are a ton of Marilyn documentaries out there to choose from, so go for that instead of watching some actress try and portray her.

Also, the best book on Marilyn's life I have ever read (and I have over 30 Marilyn books) is Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed by Michelle Morgan. It is highly recommended within the Marilyn fan community.

So in short, don't buy "Blonde" lol
xxx
 
I adore this woman. Never used to actually, but then again I never knew enough about her to like or care for her as a person or actress. Of course this thread is for discussion on her movies, but, as a person, what do you make of Marilyn?

I believe she came across as a sweet, experienced..yet vulnernable woman. People who say they met her also describe her as this, as if she was too...'famous', the fame was her and she acted like a famous person 24/7..as that is what she was made to be. If that makes sence.

And then, of course her infamous death which is still up in open air to this day with people's diffferent views on what happened, murder? suicide? accident?. I believe either accident or murder.

I also hear there is a biopic of her in the pipeline? Not sure if this is true though.
 
No, I completely understand. I'm a die hard Marilyn fan, but there's very few of her movies I would recommend to my frienRAB because her movies (or especially Old vintage hollywood movies) are an aquired taste. The only 2 I would recommend are "Some Like It Hot" and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"... Maybe even "The Seven Year Itch" because it has the famous white dress upskirt scene. But "Some Like It Hot" is a MUST see..... please promise me that you will watch this at least once in your lifetime, it really is the greatest, funniest, most awesome film ever made!

But I agree that Marilyn's life is just as, if not more interesting that most of her movie plots.

I would recommend "Beyond The Legend" or "The Legend Of Marilyn Monroe" (really famous docu that was released 2 years after her death) both can be picked up really cheap from amazon or play.com. But as I said, "The Mortal Goddess" is by far the best.

As you can see, this is only my second post, I've been browsing rabroad for years, but I decided to join JUST to put you off buying "Blonde".. that's how much I don't recommend it! lol

Anyhoo.. thanks for listening!
xx
 
Haha how funny, I must then take your opinion! I have too read that Blonde is great but not really reflective on Marilyn's life-more of a question asking film rather than an answered one.

I will deffo look into those documentries, and I do want to see 'some like it hot' too :) , I was on Amazon and there is a DVD on recreating the death scene of Marilyn-which ultimatly leaRAB to no answer atall :eek:
 
I think that documentary is called "Conspiracy Theories: The Death Of Marilyn Monroe", I've seen it and I found it quite uncomfortable viewing. They even go as far as recreating her bedroom where she died.

I think too much emphasis is put on Marilyn's death, I don't read into all the conspiracy theories, my opinion is that it was an accidental overdose, her wreckless pill taking and dependancy on alcohol was too much, it was only going to be a matter of time before something happened. I celebrate her life, not her death.

Actually, now that I think about it, definitely get "The Legend Of Marilyn Monroe" it was the first documentary on her I ever seen, it really is fascinating, it was banned after its first airing in 1964 because it showed you actual footage of her body being removed from her house the morning after she died.. well, you can either buy it, or type it into youtube and it's there in several parts for you to watch.
Alternatively, go to this website, it offers LOARAB of great Marilyn footage and rare documentaries
http://www.marilynmonroe.ca/dvRAB/

Ok, I promise this is my last post, I'll stop bombarding you with Marilyn now! lol
xxxx
 
I think she was murdered..also think she was used by everyone that new her..love her films though..Gentlemen prefer blondes is still one of my fav films
 
I agree that she was most probably taken advantage of by a lot of people. Sexually, mentally, physically. But who knows.

Are there any biopics on her life? (or death)? I'd be intreagued to watch one.
 
No! I love it! I love that you are a fan and know your stuff, I could listen (or read?) about it and your opinions for ages, it's interesting. I am deffinatly getting some of this stuff you recommend (all i need is the money now haha), I just think she was a great icon and had a very intreaguing life.

I am going to go and find the link to a thread I remember starting a while back on Marilyn, may be better to discuss about her there rather than here in the 'blonde' thread, but please, do carry on-I really love your suggestions and opinions :)
 
All those things did happen to her during her formative years, which I'm sure didn't help matters into adulthood.

There are a number of biopics but they're generally either tacky/sleazy 70s & 80s pics or TV movies. There was a 2001 documentary, 'Marilyn Monroe - The Final Days' which showcased what footage was completed of what was meant to be her final film, the prophetically titled 'Something's Gotta Give'.
 
Yeah that's the same "Legend Of Marilyn Monroe" and it really is one of the best because it has interviews with people that actually knew her, worked with her, cared for her, as opposed to recent biographies that interview people who hardly knew her, or people who just make up blatant lies about her *stay clear of the name Robert Slatzer! He claims to have been married to Marilyn, which is complete CRAP! argh! don't get me started on him lol*

I shall move myself over to the other discussion thread now! :D

xxx
 
I think the biggest misconception about Marilyn Monroe was that she was nothing more than a blonde bimbo. Nothing could be further from the truth. The whole "dumb blonde" persona, was an act! She was acting for the camera and was a fantastic comedienne, she never got the recognition she deserved for her acting talents. Even in the few roles where she got to play more dramatic parts ie "Don't Bother To Knock, Niagara, River Of No Return, The Misfits" etc, she was fantastic.. honestly, fantastic. but the public and her bosses, didn't want to see this side of Marilyn, they loved her more playful side in throwaway comedies, hence why she was stuck playing the dumb blonde character she grew to resent.
It was rare that the public got to see the real Marilyn, Marilyn knew what her public wanted.. a star.. so she played up to 'Hollywood Goddess' image in interviews and personal appearances, I guess she used this as a mask to hide behind whatever else she was going through in her personal life.
Marilyn by any means, was never a very happy human being, 3 failed marriages, no children, no stable family background and only a handful of people she could really trust. Her life was filled with rejection and hurt and she suffered extreme anxiety attacks and had no self esteem or confidence, but through it all, she always managed to rise above it all and keep smiling. That's why I love her so much!
I think Marilyn would be so humbled by the fact that she's considered such an icon of today. She never felt loved, or appreciated in her own time, so she wouldn't feel worthy of such praise nearly 50years after her death. Don't get me wrong, she LOVED her fans and they loved her, but she never felt that same feeling of adoration from her bosses or co-workers.
One of the best Marilyn related things I have ever done was travel to Hollywood last sept to pay my respects at her grave, it was a very emotional, humbling experience. I'm only 25 and I became a Marilyn fan in 2002... FOURTY years after her death, that's what amazes me, all those years after her death and she still manages to gain new fans that are as obsessed as I am! lol, that's a true testament to her everlasting appeal and popularity.

xxx
 
PS, As for documentaries I'd recommend:


Documentaries
'The Legend Of Marilyn Monroe' is a GREAT one for someone who's just becoming a new fan. This was the first Marilyn documentary I ever saw. It was released in 1966 and features interviews with people that knew her and worked with her. It was quite a controversial documentary at its time of released and was shelved after only one screening on television. It's quite a basic documentary, as I said, great for someone who's just starting out as a fan, it takes you through the main points of her life, but as it was made in 1966, it's probably a little more romantisised than the more recent documentaries that have been made about her. But it's highly recommended.

'Marilyn Monroe- The Mortal Goddess' is THE best Marilyn documentary out there *in my opinion* it's 1hr and 30mins, so it really goes into Marilyn's life in great detail. It's featured on Bio channel quite a lot, or you can buy the DVD online (but it's only a region 1 DVD) I just recorded mine from the tv. I can't speak highly enough of this, the best out there, simply the best :)

Other Marilyn docu's I'd recommend:
The Final Days Of Marilyn Monroe, Beyond The Legend, Marilyn: Still Life, Marilyn In Manhattan, Marilyn VS Marilyn, Remebering Marilyn
 
Yeah I agree with most of that, however what else can you expect I guess in terms of biopics on her life. Always going to be odd or cheesey or just inaccurate.

'the last days' one sounRAB quite interesting though, I hope that isn't a let down or rubbish, may have to get it.

I want to read more on her, she's a very interesting character.
 
Back
Top