Marilyn Monroe died on August 5, 1962, but she has remained an iconic figure for more than 50 years. Some unduly publicised aspects of Monroe’s tale, such as her reputation as a “dumb blonde” and the mystery surrounding her death, have often eclipsed other aspects of her legacy, as they do with many pop-culture personalities. There is much to remember her for other than her death, of course. She is still an Icon more than ever.
Marilyn Monroe is remembered as a blonde bombshell who was dismissed by many as just a gorgeous face. Monroe, on the other hand, was a trailblazer. Monroe realised her worth and stood up for herself when she was disregarded as a disposable actor.
The musical comedy “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” was one of Monroe’s early hits. Lorelei was a showgirl going to France to marry a wealthy man, and she played a dumb blonde money digger named Lorelei.
“I can be smart when it’s important. But most men don’t like it,” she says in the film, a line Monroe insisted on using.
While under contract with 20th Century Fox, Monroe had no say in casting. The studios had complete control over the industry. There were very few women producing, writing, or directing at the period. According to a research by Northwestern University’s Luis Amaral, barely 5% of US movie writers were female in the mid-1950s.
Despite the lack of female representation, Monroe found power by adding complexity to these simple characters.
Marilyn had a natural and sophisticated understanding of sexual desire, knowing that beauty is all about giving. She gave the world so much of herself. Her premature death at the age of 36 did not halt her rise in popular culture; rather, she has become our modern-day Aphrodite.
Monroe did surrender to the casting couch when she first began out in the film profession. She did, however, put in a lot of effort by taking lessons and giving everything she had to the parts that came her way. She appeared in a burlesque show under the name “Mona Monroe” to gather experience for a role in the B film Ladies of the Chorus (1948). She observed workers in a cannery for a working-class character in the film Clash by Night (1952). (and apparently was offered a job beheading fish).
Monroe didn’t become famous immediately; she went through several studios and had her film contracts expire. She was, nevertheless, always prepared to succeed in her work. She friend one time – “If one hundred percent of the movie big shots in Hollywood told me I couldn’t make it to the top, I wouldn’t believe them.” She definitely wasn’t ‘Just a pretty face’. Her sheer, determination of course talents go her exactly where she wanted to be.
Monroe had a kind nature throughout her life, which she displayed even while she was in institutions and foster families. There are many reports of her generosity and kindness. Monroe sent a valuable fur coat to an acting teacher and contributed money to others in need; shopping partners would frequently discover Monroe had mailed them stuff she’d allegedly purchased for herself. She was particularly generous to children, donating to organisations such as the Milk Fund for Babies and the March of Dimes.
Even after Monroe’s death, he continues to be generous. A portion of Monroe’s estate was left to Dr. Kris, despite the fact that the majority of his assets went to Strasberg. Kris left a portion of Monroe’s wealth to the Anna Freud Centre in England in 1980. This group helps youngsters who are suffering from mental illnesses.
Her legacy and Icon status will surely live on forever. She was beyond her time. Fresh, fierce and god damn beautiful, inside and out. We love everything Marilyn was and everything she still stands for.
Speaking of Iconic film stars, you won’t believe what these child stars look like now!
