"It is because of all the people in the world that I would of liked to see her stay with was Joe. Joe was a wonderful man and she loved him and he loved her."

Marilyn photographed in 1954.

Day 11 Favourite Director Marilyn worked with: Billy Wilder; The Seven Year Itch (1955) and Some Like It Hot (1959)

My other choice was going to be John Houston. I chose Billy because, although Marilyn and Billy had a few problems during the end of Some Like It Hot (1959) I feel that he respected Marilyn’s work and talent for the majority of the time and Marilyn also respected him too, having him out of only a few on her choice of Directors she would work with. I also think the two films they made together are arguably the best films she made and I think she shines throughout both of them. I love the recurring themes in Billy and Marilyn’s work especially the comedy and even though many people who have watched these films only once would probably assume they were the same roles Marilyn played, if you analyse both pieces Marilyn as The Girl and Marilyn as Sugar are very different. Apart from working with Marilyn billy also wrote the screenplays and often produced his work so he was very talented indeed.  I also think that with Marilyn getting the role as The Girl she achieved even more success and the reviews where very positive, this enabled her to acclaim the recognition she deserved as an actress and thus set up her own production company and achieve even more success. There is a wonderful story that happened during the production of The Seven Year Itch (1955), Billy and the cast and crew were anxious for the monologue Marilyn has to speak as The Girl near the end of the film, due to Marilyn’s asking for retakes etc. However, when the scene was done Marilyn completed the whole monologue in one scene; ”Is that so?…How do you know what a pretty girl wants?…You and your imagination. You think every girl’s a dope. You think a girl goes to a party, and there’s some guy - a great big lunk in a fancy striped vest, strutting around like a tiger, giving you that ‘I’m so handsome, you can’t resist me’ look, and from this, she’s supposed to fall flat on her face. Well, she doesn’t fall on her face. But there’s another guy in the room, way over in the corner. Maybe he’s kind of nervous and shy, perspiring a little. First, you look past him, but then you sort of sense, he’s gentle and kind and worried, and he’ll be tender with you, nice and sweet. That’s what’s really exciting! If I were your wife, I’d be very jealous of you. I’d be very very jealous. (she kissed him) I think you’re just elegant.” Marilyn had done it letter perfect and with an emotional impact that caused the entire soundstage to burst into applause at the end. Marilyn later said she was able to do the scene because she believed every word of what she was saying and because it seemed to her like the story of her own life.

Marilyn photographed by André de Dienes in 1945.

Marilyn photographed in Japan at a press conference on her honeymoon to Joe Dimaggio, February 1954.

Marilyn photographed behind the scenes of The Misfits photographed in 1960.

Marilyn Monroe as Angela Phinlay in The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

A rare picture of Marilyn photographed in 1951.

Marilyn photographed by Philippe Halsman in 1952.

Day 10 A film role you think Marilyn would’ve been perfect in and why: Blanch DuBois (originally played by Vivien Leigh) - A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Here is Marilyn and Vivien together on the day Arthur and Marilyn arrived in London, England in July 1956 to begin shooting The Prince and The Showgirl. This without a doubt I feel would of been an incredible part for Marilyn. Anyone who has seen Don’t Bother To Knock (1952) will definitely understand why. I feel that there are a lot of parallels between the two characters and although I don’t believe Marilyn would of believed in herself enough I think her performance for the audience would of been wonderful. I love Vivien Leigh and think if anyone deserved their second Academy Award for this performance, she did. I’m pretty sure a lot of people doing the challenge will choose this role as I think it would of enabled Marilyn to achieve more critical acclaim then her outstanding performances in Bus Stop (1956) and The Misfits (1961) and it would be wonderful to of had not only Don’t Bother To Knock (1952) but to see Marilyn perform as Blanche Du Bois also. In Conversations with Marilyn by W.J. Weatherby, he retells how Marilyn said, “I read once the role of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee William’s A Streetcar Named Desire. I’d like to play that on Broadway when I’m older. I like the last line so much. She says - I forget the exact words - something about she’s always had to depend on strangers for kindness. I know what she meant.”

Marilyn photographed on the set of Bus Stop, 1956.

Marilyn photographed by Bob Beerman in 1953.

Marilyn photographed by Earl Theisen in 1947.

"

My Dad,

I don’t know how to tell you just how much I miss you - I love you till my heart could burst. All I love, all I want, all I need is you - forever.

I want to just be where you are and be just what you want me to be.

I know it’s lousy of me to be so late so after and I promise to try a million times harder. I promise.

"

Marilyn photographed by Earl Theisen in 1947.