Happy Birthday to legenday photographer Sam Shaw (1912-1999), born on this day in 1912. Marilyn & Sam met through their mutual friend Elia Kazan and became lifelong friends. Shaw took some of the most iconic photographs of Marilyn Monroe as well as stars like Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood & Debbie Harry.
Many books on the photography career of Shaw can be found online, including these titles specifying on Marilyn: “The Joy Of Marilyn In The Camera Eye” – Sam Shaw “Marilyn Among Friends” – Sam Shaw and Norman Rosten “Marilyn: The New York Years” – Sam Shaw
Among others.. Of course in this digital age, a simple Google search can open any aspiring Marilyn fans eyes to a whole world of stunning photographs that Shaw took during Marilyn’s lifetime.
Legendary actress Carol Channing, the original Lorelei Lee in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” has passed away aged 97. Her career spanned more than five decades and included stage, screen and television. She will probably be most remembered for her iconic performance as the title role in “Hello Dolly.”
Carol Channing, alongside Yvonne Adair starred as Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Shaw in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” during its successful 2 year run on Broadway commencing in 1949. Darryl F. Zanuck, head of Twentieth Century Fox acquired the rights to turn “Blondes” into a big budget musical and whilst Carol was invited to Los Angeles for a screen test, it was generally assumed that the role of Miss Lee would go to Fox Studios reigning movie queen: Betty Grable. Of course ultimately, Zanuck had other ideas and decided to take a chance on their up and coming star Marilyn Monroe, after she had had huge success with her previous release, the 1953 thriller “Niagara.” In addition to that, Zanuck knew that he would be able to get away with paying Monroe much less than what Betty Grable would have insisted on.
Marilyn Monroe was cast alongside Jane Russell and the rest was history, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” was a huge success at the box office and projected Marilyn into further stardom.
Sadly however, Miss Channing didn’t think too highly of the finished product:
“I do think it was one of her best movies, not funny, however. They didn’t use one word of Anita’s original book, which was hilarious and which was what constantly kept the stage musical on a higher level. Anita didn’t write the musical’s book. So where they didn’t insert the original book it was mundane. It was the stock formula for a dated Broadway musical. I followed Anita’s original Lorelei character ferociously…”
Thanks to Tara at Everlasting Star for sourcing the quote.
Nevertheless, Carol Channing is an icon in her own right and has earned her place in Hollywood as one of the true artistic greats. May you rest in peace.
January 14th 1954, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio wed at San Francisco City Hall, today marks 65 years since those nuptials took place.
On January 14th 1954, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio were married in the chambers of Judge Charles S. Peery, in a simple, small civil ceremony which lasted merely 3 mins, commencing at 1.48pm.
Hundreds of photographers lined the streets outside the building to catch a glimpse of the newley married couple. Marilyn wore a very modest chocolate brown suit with a high ermine collar and DiMaggio donned a navy blue suit and polka dot tie, seemingly the same one he wore the evening of the couples first date. (Read more about that night here: https://www.marilynrememberedfanclub.com/the-villa-nova/ )
Practically all the people at the wedding were from Joe’s side: best man Reno Barsocchini, Lefty and Jean O’Doul and brother Tom DiMaggio and his wife. Monroe promised to “love, honour and cherish” her husband, omitting the word “obey,” from the vows, which was unheard of at the time.
Joe placed a stunning platinum eternity band set with 35 baguette-cut diamonds on Marilyn’s finger and the couple were pronounced man and wife.
Marilyn’s eternity ring from her husband Joe DiMaggio.
After the ceremony, the couple left the building arm and arm, smiles beaming from their faces and very much in love. They departed in Joe’s blue cadillac, ready to start their married life together.
Sadly the marriage was only to last 9 months and the couple divorced shortly after. A lot has been said about what may or may not have gone on behind closed doors during their marriage, but on this day 65 years ago, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s hearts were full of love and devotion to one another. So we are here to celebrate the love that was shared on that day by Marilyn and the man she called “my slugger.”
Remembering Shelley Winters who passed away on this date in 2006. Shelley & Marilyn were good friends and, according to Shelley, roommates in their early years in Hollywood. Shelley managed to break out of the sexpot mold that Hollywood tried to put her in and had a long, varied career. Her most notable pieces of work include: “The Poseidon Adventure” (1972) “Lolita” (1962) and “The Night Of The Hunter” (1955
Winters and Monroe at the 1960 Golden Globe Awards
Shelley spoke openly about her friendship with Marilyn over the years, appearing in countless documentaries and books on Monroe’s life. She always remembered her fondly and was once quoted as saying: “I watch people watching her films and they become alive. She had that quality and she could project it. It was an earthy magic and it’s still there on the screen.”
