Star Of The Month-Marilyn Monroe

 

MARILYN MONROE

BIRTH: June 1, 1926

DEATH: August 4, 1962

AGED: 36 yrs

DIED FROM: Overdose, ruled a suicide, but I do believe she was murdered

REAL NAME: Norma Jean Mortensen or Baker

MARRIED: 3 times- James Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller

AFFAIRS: where does one start…Johnny Hyde( famous agent), Yves Montana, Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Elia Kazan, Milton Berle, Charlie Chaplin Jnr. And his brother, Sydney, Elia Kazan, Andre De Dienes and JFK and RFK

CHILDREN:Sadly, none-3 miscarriages

FRIENDS: Jane Russell, Dorothy Dandridge, Hildegard Knef and Ella Fitzgerald Whom she helped get into higher end clubs that she, normally, couldn’t have entered due to her colour. Monroe got her in and made sure she used the front door!

OSCAR NOMINATIONS: none!

TALENT: her ability to know how to model and use her face and body. Wrote poetry, painting

KNOWN FOR: loving books, a stutterer( got help from diction coaches), wore glasses, loved children and animals. Active equal rights activist, her mental instabilities, lateness and anxieties.

There are over 60 books about her not counting all the film books that mention her, of which I have quite a few few. June 1st was her 100th birthday( today is my birthday, but I’m just 62 which is why I am late with this today), but she died, way too young, at 36. If she would have lived, I bet she would have had. Weight problem, like Elizabeth Taylor, she would have gone to Studio 54 and would have ended up at the Betty Ford Centre. I do believe she would have been a co-star on the Love Boat, helped Bob Hope entertain more troops and made more films finally being nominated, if not winning, an Oscar….If only.

Her childhood was horrible start8 g with a mom, who did love her, but suffered from mental health problems often ending up in a sanitarium. Monroe ended up in Foster Care, bouncing from one place to another and being raped by one of foster parents when she was 11. By the time she was 16, she was told  she would have to go back to the orphanage or marry. She ended up marrying a childhood friend, James Dougherty, who went off to war soon after. She was one of the many gals who started working in a factory when, now sure how, Ronald Reagan saw her, and singled her out to be in films. She was already modeling, so she decided tht it was time to become a movie star. When her husband came back home,she g e him a kiss goodbye and off she went. She did a few extra roles, but times were tough which is when she posed for those famous nude photos. When they were “found”, she spoke to the reporters openly and said she was very hungry and needed the money. When asked what she had on, she famously said, “The radio”. You can see her climb the movie ladder from her short role in, “Love Happy” with the Marx Brothers to her breakout roles in “The Ashphalt Jungle” and “All About Eve”. When she finally hit the big time, she said, “Thank God that’s the last cock I have to suck”. She knew all about the casting couch and used it to get to the big times. 

Today, they make it that she was raped by big time producers like Darryl Zanuck, but she used her assets to get a head, er, sort of speak. Today, she would be part of the Me Too movement, but there was no such thing back in her day. I  have been reading and seeing videos making Monroe out to be the next Einstein, but, sorry, she was not this extremely intelligent woman who knew how to get more money by being late on the set and delaying production for her equal rights blah, blah, blah. She was average, but she was very curious and, never having a proper education, she was a veracious reader and loved learning. One director did note that he saw her start many books, but not sure she ever read the whole book. Unfortunately, she did inherit her mom’s mental issues and deal with extreme anxiety, depression and, later got hooked on barbiturates and alcohol. She was constantly very, very late on the set, stuck in her trailer, not wanting to come out and do the scene. The actors were often, very frustrated and angry with her because they would start at 8am and she would not come out of her trailer, often until 3, 4, or 5 pm! Sometimes, the actor or actress would be of great help like Jane Russell from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” but you had Tony Curtis who claimed “Kissing Monroe was like kissing Hitler.” Because of his extreme frustration working with her on the set of “Some Like It Hot”. He later claimed they had an affair during this time but I don’t believe him. He never said he had an affair with her until decades later when he was writing his tell all book plus he was just too narcissistic in praising his prowess. Marilyn relied too much on her acting coaches, like Natasha Lytress and Lee Strassberg and his daughter, Paula Strassberg creating tensions on the set. Finally, her last film, “The Misfits” was hell to make. She was acting along side her teen-age crush, Clark Gable, but her marriage to Arthur Miller was failing and her mental health was not the best. Her delays on the set was upsetting Clark Gable who was always prompt making this set full of friction. Gable did many of his own stunts ( being dragged by a horse, for example) in high heat and with  all these issues, he had a severe heart attack. While recuperating in the hospital, he suffered mother heart attack and died at just 59. 

Marilyn, according to director/writer Billy Wilder, did not show any huge allure when you met her in person, but the camera captured something our eyes could not see. She looked beyond luminous and captured her sexual vulnerability on film. Despite not being able to remember her lines ( they did 76 takes when she walked into Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis’s room asking where the bourbon was. Wilder finally, pasted the line in the dresser when she opens up the drawer), being late, having major anxieties, she brought effervescence, gaiety, and gret humour to her roles. She enjoyed being photographed and having fun which Richard Avedon found when she created looks of the famous film stars from the turn of the century to the early 30s. She called her friend/lover, Andrede Dienes in the middle of the night to capture her inner feelings which is very haunting and sad. She wanted children so badly but suffered from endometriosis and suffered 3 miscarriages. She was rekindling her love for Joe DiMaggio at the end of her life and was going to have a Press Conference to talk about JFK and RFK when she died. It is, officially, ruled a suicide but, I do believe, she was murdered. She was a mess, mentally and hooked on drugs and alcohol, so it is easy to say she called it a day, but I don’t buy it. I watched an excellent documentary, years ago, about JFK’s death and all the people associated with his murder. It took a step by step approach about his murder and how over 170 people all died within the first 5 to 6 years after his death. The famous scene where Jack Ruby gunned down Lee Harvey Oswald to the many low lying people who just knew too much. Dorothy Kilgore was said to have committed suicide, but she was just way too logical to do this. Plus she stated she had the proof that JFK was shot by someone else and was going to go to the News with this, when she died.  All her papers were gone. Marilyn showed no signs of the barbiturates in her stomach which would have shown up in the autopsy. They did find a needle mark between her toes! The maid could not open the door so, rather than calling the police, after she looked in Marilyn’s bedroom window, she went to the home in the back of Monroe’s yard to Peter Lawford who was the brother in law to JFK and RFK. He looked in and was on the phone with god knows who. It was a couple of hours before the police were called. Her diary, certain papers were ripped out, and other papers were gone. It is circumstantial but it does make one think.  OK, this is lengthy, but she is an icon. I am going to showcase her unique photos by Richard Avedon and then the very sad images that Monroe said captured her soul, by Andrede Dienes.

Marilyn as Lillian Russell

Marilyn as Theda Bara

Marilyn as Jean Harlow

Marilyn as Clara Bow

Marilyn as Marlene Dietrich

2 pictures of Marilyn from Andre de Dienes

FILMS- MY FAVOURITES 

1. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes-1953

2. Some Like It Hot-1959

3. Seven Year Itch-1955

4. Bus Stop-1956

5. Niagara-1953

6. How To Marry A Millionaire-1953

7. There’s No Business Like Show Business-1954

8. The Misfits-1961

9. River Of No Return-1954

10. Don’t Bother To Knock-1952

Want a Leg or a Breast?

 

I just got home from the conference, which was excellent, and now, having to go to work. We stayed at a nice conference centre surrounded by nature and those bloody June bugs. I was able to go for a hike where they said it take a little over 15 min….i took over an hour but I could do it! I am sore but am so overjoyed that I did it. The bonfire was a bust because of those bloody June bugs that went into peoples’ hair, including mine, hitting into our heads, and one buzzed right into someone’s ear. So I thought I would talk about having an outdoor picnic, Barbeque or party with food and a fire.  So here we go…

1. TO CATCH A THIEF-1955

This Hitchcock film stars Grace Kelly and Cary Grant who meet in Monaco ( this is when Grace met her future husband, Prince Ranier of Monaco) and have a famous picnic, on the side of the road overlooking the beautiful city. At one point she asks Grant if he wants a leg or a breast and Grant was perfect in his look and hesitation which just added to the sexual energy. Grant is wrongly accused of rejuvenating his old job as a cat burglar and he must clear his name. Kelly plays a rich daughter of a great mom( played by Jessie Royce Landis who was only 8 years older than Grant where Kelly was 25 yrs younger than Grant) who is certain Grant was to steal her jewels, amongst other things. Grant wants to clear his name and finds a way with the help of the mom and daughter plus the insurance agent. His old gang are angry with him believing he is the Cat but the daughter of Grant’s friend, helps him out. It’s a great fluff piece from Hitchcock. The luscious colours, gowns( I want that white and blue gown), it is luscious in colours, ambience and scenery. It’s a fun film with all the Hitchcock elements.

2. GRAN TORINO-2008

This is a great movie about a widower, played by Clint Eastwood, a Polish bigot who is not happy that people from China but are Hmong, move in next door. When the young son, urged by his deadbeat gang member cousin, to steal Clint’s Gran Torino, he reluctantly tries but is caught by Clint. Clint decides to use him to clean up around the house and the homes of other older people who can no longer do those  things. Slowly, mainly due to the boy’s sister, Clint warms up to the neighbours and is invited to their Barbeque. He meets their grandmother who is equally bigoted and dislikes Clint. Clint teaches the boy about values and understanding and respecting the value of items. When the gang beat up the young boy, Clint makes a visit and goes all Magnum force on the gang. The gang retaliate by beating and raping the older sister which breaks Clint’s heart and makes hi one angry bear. This is a great film that I love and the bigoted words and prejudices shown are meant to showcase the narrow-mindedness of people, even people with an inner good heart. I love the Gran Torino, love the writing and the story. Very heart felt and the Barbeque scene is when Clint learns more about himself and tolerance of other people. 

3. GROWN UPS 2-2013

Yup, this is a stupid comedy, it stars Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph and Maria Bella as the suffering wives of these bozos. These friends decided to move back to their home town and get into all sorts of escapades, at one point, ending up jumping off a cliff, nude, into the pond below when bullied by these Fraternity brats. It culminates at Sandler and Hayek’s home where they are having a big 80s themed party with a big fire. Tons of people arrive and start to party down, but when the Frat brats  arrive ready to rumble, all hell breaks loose and a big fight ensues which is quite funny. This is a stupid comedy, not a great one, but one that makes me laugh which we all need on occasion.

Which picnic, BBQ. or bonfire movies can you think of?

Grillin’ and Chillin’

Sorry that I have not visited any blogs, but I am away at a conference. I am writing this fast and funny, last night we were all supposed to have a nice big fire and have s’mores, but there were a ton of June bugs flying everywhere and they got into my hair and freaked most of the people back inside. It’s BBQ season and Monday Music Moves Me and I thought of 2 of these songs and my brother came up with the other one. I promise to visit everyone later this week. 

1. LIGHT MY FIRE- BY THE DOORS-1967

I remember hearing this song at many BBQ’s over the years plus at campfires. It is a song sung, badly, but with great humour by Tom Hanks in the film, “Castaway”. Tom Hanks, surviving a plane crush ends up on a small deserted island and is overjoyed that he was able to make a fire. This is a great song, by the Doors, was, primarily, written by Rob Krieger, the guitarist for the Doors.

2. PROUD MARY BY CCR-1969

This Creedence Clearwater Revival was a favourite of my mom-in-law who loved this song and she loved playing it when  having dinner outside. She loved camping and this song was a favourite of her’s. It was written by John Fogerty. We had so much fun sitting by a fire eating our food and listening to this classic.

3. HARVEST MOON- NEIL YOUNG-1992

Funny, I thought of this song because I have heard it while sitting by a fire many times. I asked my brother  for. Suggestion and he thought of this song right away. This was written and performed by the Canadian Iconic, Neil Young.

Last night, we were ready to eat some s’mores beside a big campfire but this bloody June bugs were everywhere. I walked back to the retreat with a big June bug attached to my top in the front. More shrieks occurred while I walked back outside to flick it off. 

Deaf and Mute

 

I have no idea if saying or wring deaf and mute is politically correct or not but I don’t really care. It’s not supposed to mean anything degrading except that there are people who can’t hear and are unable to talk. It got me thinking about movies involving people who are deaf, either from birth or from when they were young so are often unable to voice words because they just don’t know how to voice an actual word. Anyway, here are 3 films I chose that fit this theme.

1. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME-1923

This film has been done many times beginning with this very famous version of the Victor Hugo book about a deformed, deaf man who rings the bells for the famous cathedral in the late 1400s. My favourite version is the 1939 film version starring Charles Laughton as Quasimodo and Maureen O’Hara as the beautiful Gypsy, Esmeralda, but I wanted to pick this film because of the epic work of Lon Chaney. Lon Chaney was known as the Man of a Thousand Faces due to his many characters he played in film and suffered due to the make up he fabricated. This make up included a contact lens that created pain in his eye plus it damaged his sight, a heavy piece, that he developed, attached to his back not allowing him to stand upright along with a constrainment of his legs which also caused much pain for Chaney for the rest of his life. Lon Chaney helped Patsy Ruth Miller, who played Esmeralda, with her character and how to convey the emotions just with her eyes and motions. Lon Chaney grew up with deaf mute parents where he used facial expressions, movements and sign language to communicate with them. This added to his acting prowess in film. Through all this makeup, he conveyed so much emotion that your heart bleeds for this human being treated so harshly by the crowds, except for Esmeralda who gave him water. This film, although over 100 years old, is a must see film.

2. JOHNNY BELINDA-1948

I love this gentle film about a young deaf-mute girl, played so brilliantly by Jane Wyman ( who won an Oscar for her role), whom her dad and his sister believe is not that bright. It takes the new Doctor of the village, played by Lew Ayres, to open their eyes that Belinda is anything but dumb. The Doc teaches her sign language and when her dad sees how well she can speak using sign language he is overjoyed that his daughter can “speak”. Unfortunately, ( spoiler alert) a brutish lout decides to rape the young girl resulting in a pregnancy. The girl only loves her child and will protect her child no matter what. Yup, this gentle drama has some wowzers in the film but it never loses its genteel feel. Her dad and aunt were not very approachable at first, but they change when they see Belinda can learn and has a voice. I love when her dad starts to learn sign language so he can talk with his daughter. I also developed a major crush on Lew Ayres who was so gentle and good looking with that moustache:))

3. THE MIRACLE WORKER-1962

This is the famous story about how a young Annie Sullivan is hired by this aristocratic Southern family to care for their, so-called, simpleton daughter, a young Helen Keller. Little does the family realize that Annie means to teach this brat sign language but not before teaching her some manners. The pivotal scene in the dining room, where Helen must learn how to fold her napkin, and eat her food with a knife and fork, is shocking when Helen does not get her way and Annie refuses for Helen to take Annie's food from her plate. A battle of wills ensues making Annie the winner ( albeit the dining room is a disaster). Annie is allowed to take the 8 year old Helen to a cabin, away from her family who were just enabling her, so she can teach Helen sign language. Helen is not only deaf and mute, but blind so teaching her words is quite the task but will open up the world. Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke both deserved their Oscars for the stellar performances. Helen and Annie were inseparable for the rest of their lives( Annie passed away in 1936 and Helen in 1968. Helen became a world lecturer, writer and activist for the blind, equal rights for women and the poor plus she learned 5 languages- German, French, Greek and Latin! So, when we feel despondent that we can’t do something, think of this lady.

Can you think of any films about a character being deaf and or mute? 

Oh, the answer to yesterday’s musical Oscar song is “ The Way You Look Tonight” won the Oscar, “ I’ve Got You Under My Skin” was nominated and “A Fine Romance” got nuttin’. The other nominees were, “ Did I Remember” from Suzy; “ A Melody From The Sky” from Trail of the Lonesome Pine; “ Pennies From Heaven,” from Pennies From Heaven and, “ When Did You Leave Heaven,” from Sing, Baby, Sing. I don’t know some of these songs at all which beat out some very famous songs we stil, know today like , “ Easy To Love,” “ Let’s Face The Music and Dance,” San Francisco.”

Who Won The Oscar 1936

 

It’s been crazy weather..we went all the way up to 32C (89.6F) for the last 3 days and now we are down to 16C (60.8F). Work is crazy from the clients to stress that we must get the stragglers in before June 30th or their Consumer Proposals and Bankruptcies will be opposed and rejected. I am not sure how I will get through them all but it must get done. Last night I had an idiot for 6pm who finally called me at 6:45pm. She picked up stuff at the groceries and got her nails done completely forgetting about this Mandatory appointment that she asked for, because she can only do these appointments at 6pm because of work. Since the first session must be done in the first 60 days, I took her because my next free 6pm isn’t until the middle of July. I wish I could say that she got into debt due to illness, loss of job, marital breakdown but, nope, she went back to school, at 48( which is great), got the credit cards and wanted a truck so bought a big ass truck. She didn’t realize how much interest there would be so now she did a Proposal. Ughhhh! 

Ok, I bitched enough:) It is freebie week over at Monday Music Moves Me and it is time to see if you know who won the Oscar for Best Song of 1936. Let’s see if you can guess which song won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up empty-handed. It’s a huge year for great songs, by the way.

1. I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN SUNG BY VIRGINIA BRUCE

This song is from the musical, “Born To Dance” starring Eleanor Powell and James Stewart ( who sang “Easy To Love” and, as he even said, he couldn’t screw it up since it’s such a great song) and sung by the ethereal Virginia Bruce as the other gal. All the songs were composed by Cole Porter.

2. A FINE ROMANCE SUNG BY FRED ASTAIRE AND GINGER ROGERS

This is a great song, written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields from the Astaire/Rogers film, “Swing Time.” It is sung by the 2 with a hopeful Astaire trying to woo the jaded Rogers. They each sing it I. The style of their emotions and it works so well. I love the chemistry of these 2 greats.

3. THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT SUNG BY FRED ASTAIRE

Another great song from the film, “Swing Time”  written by Kern and Fields where Astaire serenades Rogers who dissed him just before she washes her hair. It’s a beautiful song.

So which one won the Oscar, which was nominated and which came up empty-handed? 

An Angel

 

It was Mother’s Day this past Sunday and I was thinking about my mom and know she will always be my angel.

52 Christmas- Colour Challenge- Pink, Blue and Grey

Addicted to Stamps- Christmas 

I stamped the Angel in silver and embossed her in a silver sparkle . I took Tim Holtz Distress inks and, with a soft brush, coloured the background with a soft blue and pink. I placed it on a grey card background, added the border stickers and the stars. Nice and simple card today.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Who Should Have Won Best Actor-2003

 

Best Actor for the films of 2003 was quite a good year in film. I thought most of the actors nominated deserved to be there..most of them. This will be a Bit different because, this year I agree with the Academy, barely, but I agree. So let’s see what I chose..

1. SEAN PENN IN MYSTIC RIVER

Sean Penn is a controversial figure because, he seems to be an a-hole, but one with conviction. In this film he plays one of 3 childhood friends where he grew up the become the local gangster. The other, played by Kevin Bacon, is a cop and Timothy Robbins plays an ex-convict who owns a convenience store. Penn’s daughter is found murdered and wants to find justice, his way while cop Bacon is just trying to find the killer. When Robbins shows up bloodied with an injured hand changing his story every 2 minutes, he comes the prime suspect. The issue is, is he guilty? I will have to say, Penn deserves this Oscar. It’s a showy role, but a great one and Penn delivers one of his best acting especially when he shows up at the crime scene. He’s intense but for all the right reasons. So, yes, he deserved this Oscar but I almost chose another actor for an understated performance who should have been nominated.

2. JEFF BRIDGES IN SEABISCUIT

My hubby and I just rewatched this stellar film a couple of weeks ago and it just grabs your heart in so many ways. It is about the famous horse, Seabiscuit who grabbed the nation’s attention back during the Great Depression of the 1930s. 3 lost men, feeling out of place in a world changing around them come together due to a horse feeling much the same way. Each are damaged and hurt by the world they live in. Chris Cooper plays a rodeo performer and cowboy who no longer fits in with the modern world. He is hired by Rich Jeff Bridges, who made his money in cars but becomes enchanted with the world of horse racing. Bridges wants nothing to do with cars since his son died in an accident, his wife divorced him and he is unsure where his life will go. When he sees Seabiscuit, he sees something in himself and buys the horse and asks Cooper to train him. Cooper meets up with Red, played by Tobey Maguire, a defiant kid working in the stables and sees that he is just as lost and damaged as Seabiscuit. You follow all 4 of these damaged souls become famous because of The little horse that could. It culminates when Seabiscuit and the Great “War Admiral” come together for a race and the country stops to listen on the radio about this mighty race. Jeff Bridges gave a quiet, resilient performance as the rich man who understood what broken means and quietly restores the health of all 3, the cowboy, the jockey and the horse. How Jeff didn’t even get nominated is beyond me and if he would have won the Oscar, I would have been happy. Where Penn’s performance was flamboyant and magnetic, Bridges was calm, steadfast and equally magnetic, just in a different way.

3 JOHNNY DEPP IN PIRATES OFNTHE CARIBBEAN 

Yup, Depp was nominated for his comedic performance in the comedy fantasy about a blacksmith (Orlando Bloom) and a Governor's daughter (Keira Kneightly who meet and fall in love amidst the Mahem of the Pirates who want to retrieve the medallion  since it is part of a treasure horde they need to retrieve to undo the curse they are under. It’s a fun movie that grossed a ton of money and made many sequels. Johnny Depp developed this character that is flamboyant and over the top. I don’t mind it but I never thought he deserved to be nominated. To be honest, I now find the character a bit irritating and wish Depp would stop all those quirky mannerisms of this character. These films are funny and the make-up deserves an Oscar but not Depp.

Do you agree with my assessment? Just so you know, the other nominees were Ben Kingsley for “House of Sand and Fog”, Jude Law in “Cold Mountain” and Bill Murray from “Lost in Translation.” 

Would you choose another actor? Let me know.