In the world of iconic figures, Marilyn Monroe stands out as a true legend. Known for her captivating beauty and charm, she embraced her identity as a blonde woman, even when society tried to box her into stereotypes. Marilyn was more than just a pretty face; she was intelligent, hardworking, and had a vibrant personality. However, there was much more to her than what appeared on the big screen. Some saw her as tragic, others as unstable, and some even as dangerous. According to actor Eli Wallach, Marilyn Monroe was a character that Norma Jean, her real name, portrayed in front of the camera and the media. Her fame was immense, and the mystery surrounding her inspired myths and movies, like the film “Blonde,” starring Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe.
Marilyn Monroe wasn’t just a star; she changed the entertainment industry. From the suspenseful “Niagara” to the fun “How to Marry a Millionaire” and the classic “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” Marilyn became a cultural phenomenon. She was rumored to be difficult on set, to have many lovers, and to have had a tough childhood. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” was one of the films that made Marilyn a star, but during its production, she wasn’t taken seriously. Despite being the lead, she was frustrated that her co-star Jane Russell was treated better and paid more—$150,000 compared to Marilyn’s $15,000. The film “Blonde” highlights this pay gap, but for Marilyn, it was about being respected as an actress. She famously said, “Well, whatever I am, I am the blonde.”
In “Blonde,” Marilyn’s relationships with Edward G. Robinson Jr. and Charlie Chaplin Jr. are exaggerated. While she was involved with both, the film overstates these relationships. Edward Jr. was more of a friend who sometimes was a lover, and Marilyn wasn’t involved with two men at once. There’s also no evidence of her being romantically involved with John F. Kennedy or his brother; they were only seen together at public events.
The portrayal of Marilyn’s loss of her baby while married to playwright Arthur Miller is mostly accurate. She did experience a miscarriage in 1956, followed by an ectopic pregnancy in 1957 and another miscarriage in 1958. However, the film’s depiction of her tripping on a beach as the cause is fictional.
The movie skips over Norma Jean’s teenage years, but in reality, after her mother was deemed unfit, Norma spent time in an orphanage and foster homes. She married her next-door neighbor at a young age to avoid returning to the orphanage.
Another significant plot point in “Blonde” is Joe DiMaggio’s treatment of Marilyn. Their relationship was rocky, with Joe’s jealousy and insecurity about her fame leading to harsh treatment. He wanted her to quit acting, but Marilyn was ambitious. The filming of the famous skirt scene from “The Seven Year Itch” was a turning point, and soon after, Marilyn filed for divorce, citing mental cruelty.
The movie portrays Marilyn as an actress with anxiety and self-doubt. While she was known for being late on set, the film suggests it was due to her pursuit of perfection. Despite her challenges, director Billy Wilder noted that Marilyn was one of the hardest-working actresses, and her final takes were often exceptional.
Marilyn’s father issues are central in “Blonde,” but unlike the movie, Charlie Chaplin Jr. never sent fake letters to her. Marilyn once believed actor Clark Gable was her father, but there’s no evidence of any communication with him. The film also includes a scene where Marilyn runs away from her mother, raising questions about her mother’s mental health. The truth is, Marilyn’s childhood was troubled due to her mother’s condition.
Ultimately, “Blonde” should be viewed as a piece of fiction and entertainment. It portrays a radical interpretation of Marilyn’s life with imagined events. The film is based on the 2000 novel by Joyce Carol Oates. If you think we missed any details or discrepancies from the movie, let us know in the comments. Thanks for exploring this story with us!
Research Marilyn Monroe’s influence on the entertainment industry. Focus on her roles, the challenges she faced, and how she changed perceptions of women in Hollywood. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class.
Participate in a class debate about the portrayal of real-life figures in films. Discuss the balance between artistic license and factual accuracy, using “Blonde” as a case study. Consider how these portrayals affect public perception of historical figures.
Write a short story or diary entry from Marilyn Monroe’s perspective. Imagine a day in her life, incorporating both her public persona and private struggles. Use historical facts to ground your narrative, but feel free to add creative elements.
In groups, role-play key moments from Marilyn Monroe’s relationships, such as her interactions with Joe DiMaggio or Arthur Miller. Focus on understanding her personal challenges and how they influenced her decisions. Reflect on how these relationships were depicted in “Blonde.”
Watch selected scenes from the film “Blonde” and compare them with historical records of Marilyn Monroe’s life. Identify discrepancies and discuss why filmmakers might choose to alter facts. Share your analysis in a written report or class discussion.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript, with inappropriate language and sensitive content removed or modified for clarity and appropriateness:
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There have been many personalities in modern history that befit the adjective “iconic,” but even among them, Marilyn Monroe stands apart as the woman of the moment. She was the embodiment of sensuality itself and embraced her identity as a blonde woman when the world around her tried to restrict her personality within a stereotype. Marilyn Monroe, however, rose above all the social challenges with her intelligent and industrious femininity while projecting an easy, joyful, and vibrant personality. But there was much more to her than what we see on the silver screen. Some viewed her as tragic, some as unstable, and some even as dangerous. According to legendary actor Eli Wallach, Marilyn Monroe was a persona that Norma Jean wore in front of the camera and media. Her fame was immense, and the mystery surrounding her inspired myths and movies, such as the film “Blonde,” starring Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe.
Welcome to Nutty History! Today, we are going to look at the things that Netflix got right and wrong about Marilyn Monroe.
Marilyn Monroe wasn’t just a champion of provocative entertainment; she reinvented the game. From noir’s “Niagara” to the lighthearted “How to Marry a Millionaire” and the iconic “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” Marilyn carved a legend and made her mark in showbiz. She wasn’t just a woman; she was a cultural phenomenon that defined an era. She was rumored to be difficult on set, to have multiple lovers, and to have had a challenging childhood. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” was one of the first movies that built Norma Jean Mortensen, aka Marilyn Monroe, as a star. Yet, despite being the star of the movie, nobody took Marilyn Monroe seriously during production. Accounts from the production mention Marilyn being frustrated about Jane Russell being treated better while she was overlooked, despite being the titular blonde. Jane Russell was paid significantly more than Marilyn Monroe—$150,000 compared to Marilyn’s $15,000. The film “Blonde” emphasizes this salary disparity, but for Marilyn, the concern was more than just the paycheck; she wanted to be taken seriously as an actress and demanded respect. Her major complaint was that the studio undervalued her to the extent that she wasn’t even given her own private dressing room. When the studio informed her that she was not a star, Marilyn responded sharply, “Well, whatever I am, I am the blonde.”
A major plotline in “Blonde” is the relationships between Marilyn, Edward G. Robinson Jr., and Charlie Chaplin Jr. While Marilyn was indeed involved with both actors, the film exaggerates the nature of these relationships. Edward Jr. was more of a friend who occasionally acted as a lover, and Marilyn was not involved with two men at the same time. Similarly, there is no record of Marilyn being involved with John F. Kennedy or his brother; they were only seen socializing at public events.
The portrayal of Marilyn’s loss of her baby while married to playwright Arthur Miller is more or less accurate. Marilyn did experience a miscarriage in 1956, followed by an ectopic pregnancy in 1957 and another miscarriage in 1958. However, Netflix fabricated the cause of the loss, depicting her tripping on a beach, which did not happen.
The movie sidesteps discussing Norma Jean’s teenage years, but the reality is that after her mother was deemed unfit as a parent, Norma spent time in an orphanage and various foster homes. In fact, she married her next-door neighbor at a young age to avoid returning to the orphanage.
Another significant plot point in “Blonde” is Joe DiMaggio’s treatment of Marilyn Monroe. Their relationship was rocky, and Joe’s jealousy and insecurity about Marilyn’s fame led to harsh treatment. He wanted her to quit acting and become a homemaker, but Marilyn was ambitious and successful. The filming of the iconic skirt billowing scene from “The Seven Year Itch” was a turning point, and soon after, Marilyn filed for divorce, citing mental cruelty.
The movie portrays Marilyn as an actress plagued by anxiety and self-doubt. While she was known for being late on set, the film suggests this was due to her pursuit of perfection, which took a toll on her. According to her co-stars, she was often terrified of the camera and occasionally fumbled her lines. However, director Billy Wilder noted that despite her challenges, Marilyn was one of the hardest-working actresses, and the final takes were often exceptional.
Marilyn’s father issues are a central plotline in “Blonde,” but unlike the movie, Charlie Chaplin Jr. never sent fake letters to Marilyn posing as her father. Marilyn once believed that actor Clark Gable was her father, but there is no evidence of her having any communication with him.
The Netflix movie includes a disturbing scene that leads to Marilyn running away from her mother, raising the question of whether Marilyn’s mother, Gladys Baker, was mentally ill. The answer is yes, and Marilyn’s childhood was indeed troubled due to her mother’s condition.
Ultimately, this movie should be viewed as a piece of fiction and entertainment, as it is based on a fictional work. It portrays a radical interpretation of Marilyn’s life with imagined events sprinkled throughout. The film is heavily based on the 2000 novel of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates.
Do you think we missed any details or discrepancies from the movie? Let us know in the comments, and as always, thanks for watching Nutty History! If you enjoyed the video, don’t forget to like and subscribe!
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This version maintains the essence of the original content while ensuring it is appropriate for all audiences.
Marilyn – A reference to Marilyn Monroe, an iconic American actress and model known for her significant impact on the film industry during the 1950s and early 1960s. – Marilyn Monroe remains a symbol of glamour and beauty in Hollywood history.
Monroe – The surname of Marilyn Monroe, a legendary figure in American cinema and pop culture. – Monroe’s influence on fashion and film continues to be studied in performing arts courses.
Actress – A female performer in theater, film, or television. – The actress delivered a stunning performance that captivated audiences and critics alike.
Relationships – The connections or associations between people, often explored in historical contexts or through character interactions in performing arts. – The film delves into the complex relationships between historical figures during the Renaissance.
Fame – The state of being widely known or recognized, often achieved through accomplishments in the arts or historical significance. – The actress achieved fame for her groundbreaking role in the critically acclaimed historical drama.
Entertainment – Activities or performances designed to amuse or engage an audience, often reflecting cultural or historical themes. – The play provided entertainment while also offering insights into the social issues of the 19th century.
Childhood – The period of a person’s life from birth to adolescence, often explored in historical narratives or character backstories in the arts. – The documentary highlighted the childhood of the famous composer, revealing how it influenced his later works.
Struggles – Challenges or difficulties faced by individuals or groups, often depicted in historical accounts or dramatic performances. – The film portrayed the struggles of early settlers as they adapted to life in a new world.
Film – A motion picture or movie, often used to depict historical events or tell stories through visual and auditory means. – The film about World War II provided a vivid portrayal of the era’s historical events.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often depicted in literature and performing arts to provide context and understanding. – The play was set against the backdrop of ancient history, bringing the past to life for modern audiences.
