HOLLYWOOD CA (Hollywood Today) 06/11/2012

Marilyn's accessories & jewerly from Fox Studios

Photos & facts by Karen Ostlund

This year, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of Monroe’s death.

The Hollywood Museum celebrated Marilyn Monroe’s birthday, June 1^st by opening of three months exhibit “MARILYN MONROE: THE EXHIBIT – An Intimate Look at the Legend” (1926 to 1962).

It is the nation’s largest exhibit of authentic memorabilia celebrating the fabled actress’ life. The exhibit opened its doors June 1, on Marilyn’s birthday, and will run through September 2, 2012.

Max Factor make-up used before her death

In 1946 Norma Jeane started to use Marilyn Monroe, but she didn’t change the name legally until 1956.

“I wanted to grow old without face-lifts – I wanted to have the courage to be loyal to the face that I have made” Marilyn once said.

 “I have too many fantasies to be a house-wife – I guess I am a fantasy”, the legend continued.

The childhood photos of Marilyn Monroe

The first level of the museum features Max Factor’s famous make-up rooms and accessories, for brunettes, redheads and blondes. The second level features NBC’s original costumes for Smash, and all the Marilyn memorabilia from her childhood to last photo-shoot with photographer George Barris, which lasted 6 weeks in July 1962.

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The camera used by George Barris in July 1962- a 6 weeks photo-shoot with MM

“Marilyn Monroe: The Exhibit” displays the million-dollar dress Monroe wore on her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio, which was made famous when she entertained the troops during USO shows in Korea.

Items from the Scott Fortner Marilyn Monroe Collection and the Greg Schreiner Marilyn Monroe Collection are featured in this exhibit, including film costumes from The Prince and The Showgirl and There’s No Business Like Show Business.

The Playboy photos were once bought for 500 dollars, but Marilyn was never paid.

Clothing and furs from Marilyn’s personal wardrobe are also on display, including the brilliant green Pucci blouse Marilyn was wearing in the last ever photos taken of her just a week before she died, along with Marilyn’s personal cosmetics, private documents and annotated film scripts.

On exhibit for the first time ever: Marilyn Monroe’s bedroom dresser and sofa, which was next to her bed, the night she died.

This exhibit also includes original works of art by famed celebrity artists Robert A. Delgado and LUDVIC, original photographs, including the legendary “red velvet” nude photographs shot by Tom Kelly, and a vast photograph collection of her childhood, family and early modeling career,  when she was still Norma Jeane Baker.

Los Angeles Times, the day after her death & legal documents

Highlighting the exhibit are never-before-seen photos by world-renowned photographer George Barris, who shot the last pictures of Monroe while collaborating on a book at the time of her death 50 years ago.

“The Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building is the perfect venue for this exhibit because it’s where Max Factor gave Marilyn Monroe her famous blonde hair,” said Museum Founder and President Donelle Dadigan. “When you walk into the ‘FOR BLONDES ONLY’ Room, you feel Marilyn Monroe’s presence.”

“Fans of all ages flock to Hollywood from around the world each year to honor Marilyn’s life and memory,” says Dadigan, “The Hollywood Museum is proud to host this definitive and meaningful Marilyn retrospective.”

The book "Marilyn Monroe: A Case For Murder" by Jay Margolis

It is one of the greatest mysteries of the twentieth century. How did Marilyn Monroe die? Although no pills were found in her stomach during the autopsy, it was still documented in the Los Angeles coroner’s report that she had swallowed sixty-four sleeping pills prior to her demise. In the book “Marilyn Monroe: A Case for Murder,” by biographer Jay Margolis,  presents the most thorough investigation of Marilyn Monroe’s death to date and shares how he reached the definitive conclusion that she was murdered.

Jay promoted the new edition of his book at MTV Media Secret Room’s gifting lounge at SLS Hotel prior to the MTV Movie Awards, which aired earlier this month.

The Blue Book Modeling Agency in 1945

Margolis dissects the events leading up to her death, revealing a major conspiracy and countless lies. In an exclusive interview with actress Jane Russell three months before her death, he reveals Russell’s belief that Monroe was murdered and points the finger at the man she held responsible. While examining the actions of Peter Lawford, Bobby Kennedy, and Monroe’s psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson, Margolis establishes a timeline of her last day alive that leads to shocking revelations.

In August 1962, Marilyn Monroe’s lifeless body was found on her bed, leaving all to wonder what really happened to the beautiful young starlet. “Marilyn Monroe: A Case for Murder” provides an examination of one of the most interesting deaths of all time.

The 3 husbands:Jim Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio & Arthur Miller

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM
The Hollywood Museum, the official museum of Hollywood has the most extensive collection of Hollywood Memorabilia in the World. The museum features four floors of breathtaking exhibits and is the home of more than 10,000 authentic showbiz treasures, one of kind costumes, props, photographs, scripts and vintage memorabilia from favorite movies and TV shows. The museum includes costumes from Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Jean Harlow, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson; Props from ‘Gone with the Wind,’ ‘Twilight: New Moon,’ ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,’ ‘High School Musical 2,’ ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ ‘Glee,’ and more.

Life Magazine covers

The Hollywood Museum is located in the Historic Max Factor Building on the corner of Hollywood & Highland, where Max Factor, the legend of movie makeup, worked his magic on motion picture stars since 1935. The Hollywood Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Open hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (thehollywoodmuseum.com)