When I was a baby cineaste just discovering old movies I met a girl with Marilyn Monroe posters all over her wall. Excitedly I asked her "So, what's your favorite performance of hers?" --imagining we would talk for hours about old movies. She looked at me perplexed:
"Oh, I've never seen her in a movie!"
Don't be like that girl. If you've always been drawn to an iconic cultural touchstone but you've never seen them at work, let your curiousity lead you to actual knowledge instead of empty fandom. Consider that a free fortune cookie message from Nathaniel R. It could be the key to a great week.
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13 comments:
I always liked Marilyn and then I started watching her movies and now i LOVE her. I thing "Niagara" is the best performance of those that I have seen, but "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" is comfortable nestled in my top 30 of all time.
You wont find too many under 30 who have seen any Monroe movies. Or any movie pre 1965. It's sad.
Well on that note, I'm so glad I finally saw Ben-Hur.
And All About Eve, for that matter.
I'm 21 and I've seen only two Marilyn movies, How to Marry a Millionaire and All About Eve. Even though Eve isn't a Marilyn movie, she was very good in it. All About Eve cracks my top ten of all time while I think Marilyn is "just creamy."
I am ashamed to admit this but I never knew Marilyn was in All About Eve until I read this. Its one of those 'top 100 I have to see before I die' films that I haven't gotten around to yet.
Total agreement that Niagara is her best perf, though I also think she's great in Bus Stop and Some Like It Hot.
I think these are wise words, though. I'm going to kick-start my enlightenment project with Barbara Stanwyck. I think the only thing I ever saw her in was The Colbys!
Rob
I fell in love with Natalie Wood when I was a kid an saw "Rebel Without a Cause"... this love affair went on until she died in 1981... she was not a great actress, but had "IT" ... her greatest acting was in 'Love with the Proper Stranger", "Splendor in the Grass", anad the TV movie "The Cookie Factory"
Nathaniel,
Can you tattoo this advice to the arm of every girl and guy who swoons for James Dean without seeing his films.
Also, Marilyn doesn't get nearly enough credit as an actress. I've yet to see the Asphalt Jungle though. I hear she's terrific in it.
kamikaze -niagara was the first movie of hers I ever saw. my fav performance is 'bus stop' or 'the misfits'
bruce -agreed but that's one of the missions of my site and blog ;) get people to see things.
anonymous -marilyn is creamy. creamy goodness
rob -i recently started getting to know Stanwyck myself (the only thing I knew was the Thornbirds). Consider me wowed after Executive Suite, Ball of Fire, and ESPECIALLY The Lady Eve.
popontherocks -i'm not much with a needle.
but i'm glad you see the overall point. The post isn't really about marilyn. it's just about cultural knowledge in general. I'm guilty of some big gaps myself (like the aforementioned stanwyck) but i am working at filling them ;)
On a side note Nat:
Can there be a forum/discussion about the current poll?
I am intrigued by everyone's choices especially b/c I think Strathairn and Huffman are reliable characters actors time and time again. I think Adams could follow suit.
Do you think we're having too much faith in the hot young things? I do.
Thought it'd be an intersting talking point.
As always dig the site,
Damian
On a side note Nat:
Can there be a forum/discussion about the current poll?
I am intrigued by everyone's choices especially b/c I think Strathairn and Huffman are reliable characters actors time and time again. I think Adams could follow suit.
Do you think we're having too much faith in the hot young things? I do.
Thought it'd be an intersting talking point.
As always dig the site,
Damian
I love this..so much. One of my very best friends adores Marilyn Monroe. She's had posters all over her walls for ages, but then when I asked her about it she realized she'd never once seen a Marilyn movie. Is this a common situation? It's been a while since my enquiry, and she's done some major research, including numerous biographies, more posters, her best films, and a trip to her grave. Marilyn seems to be quite the popular idol. Ditto for James Dean.
Haven't seen Bus Stop or The Misfits so I'll have to get them. I didn't know Marilyn was in All About Eve when I sat down to watch and it and then I was all "!!!" and then I lived happily ever after.
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