The Girl Read online

  “No Method-man.” Charles Marowitz, “Paganism in the West End,” Theatre World, April 1958.

  “There’s really no such thing.” Rahna Maughan, “Meet the Goddess,” Screenland, March 1958.

  “We have made history.” James Roose-Evans, “The Actors Studio,” Theatre World, January 1957.

  “As Mr. Nelson admits.” Eric Johns, “Survival Through T.V.,” Theatre World, October 1956.

  “Instinctively smart, nobody’s fool.” Susan Strasberg, Marilyn and Me: Sisters, Rivals, Friends.

  “Marilyn has a God-given talent.” Louella Parsons, “I Am Going to Adopt a Baby,” Modern Screen, July 1960.

  “What the heck.” Joan Copeland, “They Really Liked Me!” Modern Screen, January 1957.

  “Actually nobody’s being snooty.” Gene Houseman, “The Strange New Life of Marilyn Monroe,” Movie Life, March 1956.

  “Therapy is likely to start.” E-mail interview with Dr. L. Ruddick, clinical psychologist, August 17, 2017.

  Delos Smith Jr.’s observation that Marilyn withheld information during therapy and was fascinated with suicide. Strasberg, Marilyn and Me: Sisters, Rivals, Friends.

  “I’m not taking a full course.” Logan Gourlay, “Marilyn Incorporated,” Sunday Express, October 30, 1955.

  “He’s the one I believe in.” Logan Gourlay, “Marilyn Monroe on Middle Age,” Sunday Express, no month, 1960.

  “I’ve read a little of Freud.” Pete Martin, “Confessions of Marilyn Monroe: Part Three.”

  “I decided it wouldn’t be fair.” Wilson, “In Defense of Marilyn Monroe.”

  The payment of $175,000 was mentioned in memos from and to Zanuck and Skouras, dated April 13, 1955, and May 3, 1955, Spyros Skouras Collection, Special Collections, Stanford University Library.

  “I’m not interested in money.” Pete Martin, “Confessions of Marilyn Monroe: Part One,” Daily Sketch, June 25, 1956.

  “I didn’t go into movies.” Skolsky, “Sidney Skolsky Gives the Lowdown on Hollywood Women.”

  Feingersh photo shoot. Ed Feingersh and Bob LaBrasca, Marilyn: Fifty-Five.

  “Dogs never bite me.” Capote, “A Beautiful Child.”

  Darryl F. Zanuck comments about Marilyn. Floyd E. Stone, “Zanuck Tells Press of New Process, Product Plans,” Motion Picture Herald, April 16, 1955.

  Offer of a Las Vegas show. Cronin, “The Storm About Monroe.”

  Marilyn’s interest in Nehru. Edward R. Murrow, “Are Celebrities Human?” Los Angeles Times, November 6, 1955.

  Murrow’s gift of Winston Churchill’s speeches. Lot 258, Marilyn Monroe letter from Edward R. Murrow, sold at Julien’s on November 7, 1955.

  Person to Person program. “Marilyn Monroe Rare Live Television Appearance—“Person to Person” Interview 1955,” YouTube video, 14:26, posted by Marilyn Monroe Video Archives, August 16, 2013, https://youtu.be/L05TYBXwU3A.

  Marilyn’s disappearance from New York. Hedda Hopper, “Curtis Will Introduce Find in New Picture,” Los Angeles Times, April 12, 1955.

  “I’m insane about jazz.” Bill Foster, “Marilyn Monroe,” Sunday Graphic, March 29, 1956.

  Songs played on piano. Gourlay, “I’ve Not Begun to Earn Much Yet,” Sunday Express, November 8, 1953.

  Marilyn’s observations of cab drivers and nightmares. Buchthal and Comment, Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters by Marilyn Monroe.

  “Any success I’ve had.” Hedda Hopper, “Niven Wins Big Role in ‘Around the World,’” Los Angeles Times, April 30, 1955.

  Eli Wallach’s reaction to theater acting. Looker-on, “Whispers from the Wings,” Theatre World, June 1954. Wallach also spoke about Marilyn’s New York years in his book, The Good, the Bad, and Me: In My Anecdotage.

  “Marilyn gave me the kind of advice.” Helen Dudar and Jim Cook, “The Rebellion of Marilyn Monroe,” New York Post, September 28, 1955.

  “Marilyn had good experience.” Joseph Lionetti interview, March 29, 2017.

  “Marilyn should have a show written.” Wilson, “In Defense of Marilyn Monroe.”

  Marilyn’s denial of seeing Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Edwin Schallert, “Monroe Vows a New Effort,” Los Angeles Times, January 1, 1956.

  Marilyn accidentally ruining a play’s run. Cox, “The Strange Truth About Marilyn Monroe.”

  “Sit down in front of me and help block the view.” Gourlay, “Marilyn Incorporated.”

  Jay Kanter’s opinion that Marilyn had no desire for theater work. Interview with Jay Kanter, April 9, 2017.

  “I think my husband has the solution.” Parsons, “I Am Going to Adopt a Baby.”

  Chapter Five: The Unlikely Feminist

  Jane Fonda’s memories of Marilyn. “Jane Fonda Talks About Marilyn Monroe,” YouTube video, 3:43, posted by “Marmar,” January 17, 2016, https://youtu.be/9CaMx-wrcsc.

  “Informed, acute and enchanting.” Vernon Scott, “Marilyn Monroe Says She’s Happy, but Has Not Changed,” Middlesborough Daily News, October 23, 1958.

  “Yes, wouldn’t she.” Radie Harris, Radie’s World.

  Tippi Hedren’s memories of Marilyn. Tippi Hedren, Tippi: A Memoir.

  Jay Julien party. Jim Cook and Helen Dubar, “The Rebellion of Marilyn Monroe: Part Three,” New York Post, September 30, 1955.

  Amy Greene’s memories of Marilyn emptying ashtrays. Helen Bolstad, “Marilyn in the House,” Photoplay, September 1955.

  “All the studios brought their top.” Erskine Johnson, “Hollywood’s Marilyn Monroe: Blond, Saucy, the New Harlow,” Lima (OH) News, August 5, 1952.

  “He had no clue who she was.” E-mail from Huston Huddleston, August 17, 2017.

  “Marilyn’s effect on high-brows.” Milton Schulman, “Will Mr. M. Rewrite the Monroe Story?” Aberdeen Evening Express, July 18, 1956.

  “I have never been so embarrassed.” Elsie Lee, “Why Women Love Marilyn Monroe,” Screenland Plus TV-Land, July 1954.

  Joan Crawford’s complaints about Marilyn. Bob Thomas, “Crawford Aims Barbs at Monroe,” Syracuse Herald-Journal, March 3, 1953.

  “With all the publicity I’ve had.” Louella Parsons, “Joan and Marilyn Talk,” Modern Screen, July 1953.

  “I’ll never quit that!” Earl Wilson, “The Things She Said to Me!” Photoplay, May 1956.

  “I think we’ve been held back by all the publicity.” Lee, “Why Women Love Marilyn Monroe.”

  “Gosh, I thought you’d skin her alive.” Cox, “The Strange Truth About Marilyn Monroe.”

  “Nobody can hurt [Marilyn].” Erskine Johnson, “In Hollywood,” Walla Walla (WA) Union-Bulletin, April 22, 1953.

  “I’ll tell you a girl.” Bob Thomas, “The Face Is Familiar,” Modern Screen, June 1954.

  “No, I’m the Marilyn with clothes on.” Bob Thomas, “Two Marilyn’s Provide Some Confusion,” San Mateo Times, January 9, 1953.

  “Well, there have been nude models before.” “Dame Edith Sitwell—Face-to-Face Interview 1959,” YouTube video, 26:27, posted by EckingtonParishTV, November 18, 2014, https://youtu.be/Q5l3UPlO60M; Elspeth Grant, “Miss Monroe Stops the Traffic,” Tatler and Bystander, October 31, 1956.

  “Of course I’d be delighted to play.” William Barbour, “The Very Private Life of MM,” Modern Screen, October 1955.

  “I’ve taken plenty of criticism.” Parsons, “Joan and Marilyn Talk.”

  “Here was a girl.” Jon Bruce, “The Inside Story of the Marilyn-Jane Feud,” Screenland Plus TV-Land, April 1953.

  “I’d like to be known as a real actress and human being.” Foster, “Marilyn Monroe.”

  “An ardent feminist is.” “Finger in the Pie,” The Scotsman, March 4, 1950.

  “I am not a feminist.” “Mr. Nehru to Stay with Sir Anthony,” Yorkshire Post and Leeds Mercury, July 8, 1956.

  “I cannot understand how any woman.” “A Suffragette Retires,” Belfast News-Letter, June 26, 1951.

  “Feminism is something that cannot be put into words.” “Feminist Eartha,” Northern Daily Mail, June 27, 195
6.

  “A woman only hurts herself.” Pete Martin, “Confessions of Marilyn Monroe: Part Two,” Daily Sketch, June 26, 1956.

  “Marilyn’s one of the most.” Wilson, “Film Husband Tells All About Marilyn.”

  “Selfish career women.” “Equal Pay Will Force Wives to Go to Work,” Sunderland (UK) Echo, April 23, 1954.

  “Throughout her short life.” E-mail interview with Gabriella Apicella, April 1, 2017.

  Joe and Marilyn attend a Sammy Davis Jr. concert. Interview with Jay Kanter, April 9, 2017.

  Marilyn’s insistence that she would never marry DiMaggio again. Maurice Zolotow, “The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe (VI),” Maurice Zolotow Collection, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin.

  “A brilliantly produced version.” Review of The Seven Year Itch, Film Bulletin, June 13, 1955.

  “The big achievements in humor.” Review of The Seven Year Itch, Motion Picture Daily, June 3, 1955.

  “A top-notch sophisticated comedy.” Review of The Seven Year Itch, Harrison’s Reports, June 11, 1955.

  Skirt-blowing scene cutout. “Change of Scenery,” New York Times, May 24, 1955.

  Unveiling by Roxanne. “What the Showmen Are Doing,” Film Bulletin, May 30, 1955.

  The Seven Year Itch publicity. “The National Spotlight,” Motion Picture Herald, June 18, 1955; “Showmen in Action,” Motion Picture Herald, June 25, 1955; “Showmen in Action,” Motion Picture Herald, July 9, 1955; “It’s the Windy City,” Motion Picture Herald, July 16, 1955; “What the Showmen Are Doing,” Film Bulletin, July 25, 1955; “Exhibition Highlights of the Week,” Independent Film Journal, September 3, 1955; “Pills Unnecessary for ‘Itch,’” Film Bulletin, September 5, 1955; “A Bell-Ring Shatters the ‘Great Lovers’ Fantasy,” Aberdeen Evening Express, November 15, 1955.

  Weekend business of The Seven Year Itch. “Itch Pulls $50,000 for Weekend Mark,” Motion Picture Daily, June 7, 1955.

  “Dear Marilyn: We need you.” Wilson, “In Defense of Marilyn Monroe.”

  John Steinbeck’s autograph request. Lot 259, Marilyn Monroe letter from John Steinbeck, dated April 28, 1955, property from the Estate of Lee Strasberg, sold at Julien’s in November 2016.

  Marilyn on the Monroe Six. Hedda Hopper, “Marilyn Studying, Enjoys Anonymity,” Los Angeles Times, April 28, 1955.

  “I thought she was extremely brave.” Michelle Morgan, Marilyn Monroe: Private and Confidential.

  “For the first time I felt accepted.” “The Scared Little Girl in a Woman’s Body Grows Up at Last,” Daily Herald, May 23, 1956.

  “You get such wonderful thoughts.” “Home Life of a Hollywood Bachelor Girl,” Television and Screen Guide, August 1951.

  “My poems are kind of sad.” “Marilyn Is Two Girls,” unidentified newspaper, June 10, 1951.

  Poetry reading and trip to see Emil Giles. Norman Rosten, Marilyn: A Very Personal Story.

  “Never Give All the Heart” by William Butler Yeats was published in 1906.

  Marilyn’s poetry. Buchthal and Comment, Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters by Marilyn Monroe.

  “I know just the monsters he paints.” Tim Connelly, “Marilyn’s New Pitch,” unidentified newspaper, circa October 1957.

  Marilyn’s portraits. Anna Strasberg and Bernard Comment, Marilyn Monroe: Girl Waiting.

  Lover Watching His Love Sleep. Lot 521, sold by Julien’s in November 2016.

  Nude portrait for Boris Aronson. Lot 986, sold by Julien’s on June 26, 2015.

  Norman Rosten’s memories of Marilyn and The Hand of God. Rosten, Marilyn: A Very Personal Story.

  Chapter Six: Inspirational Woman

  “There are two schools of thought about her.” Martin, “Confessions of Marilyn Monroe: Part Two.”

  “I first became aware of Marilyn after seeing her in cinema newsreels.” E-mail from Maureen Brown, May 16, 2017.

  “Like everybody else.” E-mail from Virginia Nicholson, March 17 and 18, 2017.

  Gloria Steinem’s early feelings about Marilyn are well known. One interview: “Gloria Steinem on Marilyn Monroe | American Masters: In Their Own Words,” YouTube video, 2:39, posted by American Masters PBS, June 23, 2016, https://youtu.be/fvDz-WCUv20.

  Steinem also wrote about the actress in Marilyn Monroe: Norma Jeane.

  “Quite simply, I do not believe.” E-mail from Gabriella Apicella, April 1, 2017.

  “He is one of the few contemporary playwrights.” “The Men Who Interest Me…”

  “I was with her morning, noon and night.” Terrence Feely, “What Marriage Is Doing to Marilyn,” Sunday Graphic, July 1956.

  “I am in love with the man, not the mind.” Parsons, “I Am Going to Adopt a Baby.”

  Hedda Hopper’s amused reaction to the Greenes’ European trip. Hedda Hopper, “John Forsyth Will Co-Star with Olivia,” Los Angeles Times, July 14, 1955.

  Marilyn’s invitation to Washington. “Marilyn Declines,” Aberdeen Evening Express, August 19, 1955.

  “It seems to me she’s not there.” “Russians See Marilyn Film,” Aberdeen Evening Express, July 28, 1955.

  Marilyn’s trip to Fire Island. Cox, “The Strange Truth About Marilyn Monroe”; Susan Strasberg, Marilyn and Me: Sisters, Rivals, Friends.

  “At least I haven’t made any appointments.” “Divorce of Marilyn and Joe Now Final,” Lowell (MA) Sun, October 27, 1955.

  Divorce. “Marilyn Gets Final Decree from DiMaggio,” Los Angeles Times, November 1, 1955; “Marilyn Monroe Just a Step from Freedom,” Los Angeles Times, October 28, 1955.

  “The public deserves its money’s worth.” Edwin Schallert, “Marilyn Monroe Seeks Best Direction,” Los Angeles Times, November 17, 1955.

  Marilyn’s feelings on the character of Pola. Edwin Schallert, “Monroe Vows a New Effort,” Los Angeles Times, January 1, 1956.

  Marilyn’s appearance on an unnamed radio show during The Rose Tattoo premiere. “Marilyn Monroe RARE Radio Interview—The Rose Tattoo Premiere 1955,” YouTube video, 14:00, posted by Marilyn Monroe Video Archives, April 3, 2013, https://youtu.be/Klr4hamwroQ.

  “On the stage there is a feeling of integration.” “Marlon Brando: Unaccustomed as I Am,” Modern Screen, October 1955.

  “My fight with the studio is not about money.” Maurice Zolotow, Marilyn Monroe.

  “They were pretty tough on Marilyn.” John Gold, “The Man Behind Marilyn,” Aberdeen Evening News, February 8, 1956.

  “What I have settled for is a compromise.” Wilson, “The Things She Said to Me!”

  Frank Delaney’s memories of the new Fox contract appear in a letter he wrote to Inez Melson, dated June 22, 1965. She responded on June 24, 1965.

  Frank Delaney’s thoughts on Marilyn’s debt appear in Maurice Zolotow’s notes on Frank Delaney, Maurice Zolotow Collection, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin.

  John Huston to direct The Sleeping Prince. “Miss Monroe, Olivier to Star,” New York Times, January 2, 1956.

  “Gave Vivien Leigh.” Looker-on, “Whispers from the Wings,” Theatre World, December 1953.

  “One wonders if there might be.” Ibid.

  Meeting between Marilyn and Olivier. Interview with Jay Kanter, April 9, 2017.

  Marilyn and Olivier see Anne Frank. April VeVea, Marilyn Monroe: A Day in the Life; Strasberg, Marilyn and Me: Sisters, Rivals, Friends.

  Olivier’s experience of an Actors Studio class. Laurence Olivier, On Acting.

  “I wish you would use some of that.” Roose-Evans, “The Actors Studio.”

  “Marilyn is an expert” and “Olivier has always.” “Marilyn Monroe to Star in British Film,” Hartlepool (UK) Northern Daily Mail, February 10, 1956.

  “She is very sweet.” “Marilyn ‘Sweet and Charming,’” Hartlepool (UK) Northern Daily Mail, February 11, 1956.

  “I cannot think of anyone better than Miss Monroe.” “Marilyn Monroe to Team with Sir Laurence Olivier,” Belfast News-Letter, February 10, 1956.
/>   Alan Brien on Marilyn winning the battle. Alan Brien, “Marilyn Leads the Revolt,” Aberdeen Evening Express, February 15, 1956.

  “You can hardly expect Marilyn Monroe.” Thomas Wiseman, “Uncle Edgar Comes Before Cousin Marilyn,” Aberdeen Evening Express, May 1, 1956.

  “Perhaps only a husband and wife.” Looker-on, “Whispers from the Wings,” Theatre World, December 1953.

  “If you pay that driver.” Robert J. Levin, “Marilyn Monroe’s Marriage,” Redbook, February 1958.

  “Believe me when I say” and “She displayed—you know.” Copeland, “They Really Liked Me!”

  Kim Stanley’s recollection of Anna Christie. John Kobal, People Will Talk.

  “Like an over-excited child asked downstairs after tea.” “Marilyn Monroe’s Beauty Biography,” Los Angeles Times, December 11, 1960. Note: the newspaper credits as the original source for the quote Cecil Beaton’s The Face of the World (New York: John Day, 1957).

  Chapter Seven: Performance of a Lifetime

  “Nobody believes it now.” Mawby Green, “Echoes from Broadway,” Theatre World, April 1955.

  “A unique work of art.” “Marilyn Monroe, the Unique Work of Art,” Radio Times, October 8, 1970.

  “I don’t really believe in ignoring traffic citations.” “Footage of Marilyn Monroe at Court 1956—‘I Don’t Really Believe in Ignoring Traffic Citations,’” YouTube video, 1:17, posted by Marilyn Monroe Video Archives, May 6, 2016, https://youtu.be/WOqiQ3DpTHk.

  Meetings between Jane Wilkie and Natasha Lytess and the unpublished manuscript. Maurice Zolotow Collection, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin.

  France-Dimanche buying Lytess’s story. Memo to Pat Newcomb and Arthur P. Jacobs, dated May 11, 1962, Charles Von der Ahe Library, Loyola Marymount University.

  “Marilyn Monroe: Her Secret Life” by Natasha Lytess was serialized in the Sunday People on July 15, 22, and 29, 1962, and August 5 and 12, 1962.

  Natasha Lytess’s death was reported in a document entitled “Report of the Death of an American Citizen,” dated June 5, 1963, and found on Ancestry.com. Her name is given as Natasha Frank (aka N. Lytess and N. Lewis), and her place of death Switzerland. Prior to her death, the teacher was living in Italy with her daughter, Barbara.