The Rise and Fall of Marilyn Monroe ~ Part 1

Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, model and singer known for playing the ‘blonde bombshell’ characters and became one of the biggest ‘sex symbols’ of the 50s and 60s. Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortensen on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles. She was later baptised with the surname Baker. The identity of Monroe’s father is unknown but her mother was Gladys Pearl Baker who came from a poor midwestern family. Monroe spent the majority of her childhood in foster homes and orphanages due to Gladys being both mentally and financially unstable. In 1934, Gladys was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic and spent the rest of her life in and out of hospital. Monroe had very little contact with her mother after this. 

Monroe was sexually abused whilst in the care of multiple foster parents meaning she was moved around on a regular basis. It was not until 1938 when she found something more permanent with Ana Lower. Lower was the aunt of a previous foster parent. Monroe enrolled in Emerson Junior High School and was seen as a mediocre student. She especially excelled in writing and helped with the school newspaper.

Due to Lower’s failing health Monroe relocated again and began attending Van Nuys High School. Her then foster parents had to move out of state, due to the Californian child protection laws Monroe couldn’t move with them. To avoid going back to the orphanage Monroe married the neighbour’s son James Dougherty on June 19, 1942. Monroe had just turned 16 and James was 21. Monroe left school and became a housewife moving to Santa Catalina Island when James was stationed there. 

In 1944, Monroe began modelling and she soon realised that she was more suitable for pin-up modelling and was featured in many men’s magazines. By early 1946, she had appeared on 33 covers. Later that year Monore was given a 6-month contract by 20th Century Fox and the stage name ‘Marilyn Monroe’ was born. Executive Ben Lyon chose ‘Marilyn’ after broadway star Marilyn Miller and ‘Monroe’ due to it being mother Gladys’ maiden name. September 1946 saw her divorce from Dougherty as he was against her having a career. Her contract was renewed and she was given her first parts in Dangerous Years (1947) and Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! (1948).

With her revamped blonde look she was determined to make it big. She was later signed by Harry Cohn of Colombia Pictures. Only landing a role in Ladies of the Chorus her contract was not renewed. In 1950, Monroe had a few bit parts and two minor supporting roles. Albeit small these roles saw her move from a ‘movie model to serious actress’. December 1950, saw Monroe sign a 7-year contract with 20th Century Fox.

Early 1952, Monroe began a highly publicised relationship with baseball player Joe DiMaggio. Although retired DiMaggio was seen as one of the biggest sports personalities of the era. Monroe was now a fully-fledged ‘sex symbol’ and was named the ‘it girl’ by the end of 1952. However, during this period Monroe gained a reputation of being hard to work with. Being late, forgetting her lines and demanding several retakes. To alleviate her anxiety from work and chronic insomnia she started taking a mix of barbiturates, amphetamines and alcohol which only made her work behaviour worse. Although she did not become severely addicted until 1956.

In 1953, it was her role in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes that cemented her on-screen persona as a ‘dumb blonde’. In December 1953, Monroe’s sex symbol claim was fortified when Hugh Hefner featured her on the cover of Playboy without her permission. The cover image was taken from a pageant parade in 1952 and the centrefold featured one of her scandalous 1949 nude photos. 

Jan 14, 1954, Monroe married DiMaggio at San Francisco City Hall. Later that year whilst filming The Seven Year Itch one of Monroe’s most iconic scenes was produced, ‘The Subway Grate Scene’. The air blowing up the skirt of her white dress in Manhattan. Although the stunt gave Monroe mass publicity it added to her already crumbling marriage. DiMaggio was said to be very controlling and somewhat physically abusive. Monroe filed for divorce after just 9 months of marriage.

During the divorce proceedings, she started her affair with Arthur Miller. Once her divorce was finalised in October 1955, Miller left his wife to be with Monroe. Fox urged her to end the relationship due to Miller being investigated by the FBI for allegations of communism. The FBI also opened a file on Monroe due to their relationship. June 29, 1956, Monroe and Miller married in New York. Two days later they had a Jewish Ceremony. Monroe converted to Judaism, which led Egypt to ban all of her movies.

Keep your eyes peeled for Part 2 of The Rise and Fall of Marilyn Monroe coming December 1st.