Table Of ContentMarilyn Monroe
ALSOBYMICHELLEVOGEL
ANDFROMMCFARLAND
Lupe Vélez: The Life and Career of
Hollywood’s “Mexican Spitfire” (2012)
Marjorie Main: The Life and Films of
Hollywood’s “Ma Kettle” (2011 [2006])
Gene Tierney: A Biography (2011 [2005])
Olive Borden: The Life and Films of
Hollywood’s “Joy Girl” (2010)
Olive Thomas: The Life and Death
of a Silent Film Beauty (2007)
Children of Hollywood: Accounts of Growing Up
as the Sons and Daughters of Stars (2005)
Marilyn Monroe
Her Films, Her Life
M V
ICHELLE OGEL
Foreword by GEORGE CHAKIRIS
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Jefferson, North Carolina
LIBRARYOFCONGRESSCATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATIONDATA
Vogel, Michelle, 1972–
Marilyn Monroe : her films, her life / Michelle Vogel ;
foreword by George Chakiris.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
♾
ISBN 978-0-7864-7086-0 (softcover : acid free paper)
ISBN 978-1-4766-1359-8 (ebook)
1. Monroe, Marilyn, 1926–1962. 2. Motion picture actors
and actresses—United States—Biography. I. Title.
PN2287.M69V64 2014 791.4302'8092—dc23 [B] 2014007859
BRITISHLIBRARYCATALOGUINGDATAAREAVAILABLE
© 2014 Michelle Vogel. All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publisher.
On the cover: Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
(Twentieth Century–Fox Film Corporation/Photofest)
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Box 611, Jefferson, North Carolina 28640
www.mcfarlandpub.com
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to Christelle Montagner, Luke Yankee, Bill Cap-
pello, Bill Doyle, Paul Green, G.D. Hamann, Gregg Nystrom, James
Robert Parish, Kristine Krueger, Greg Schreiner, Ned Comstock,
Marian Collier Neuman, Scott Fortner, Jeff Stafford, Elisa Jordan,
Michelle Morgan, George Bailey, Laura Petersen Balogh, Christoper
Riordan, Angela Allen, Mary Mallory, Jonathon Auxier and Lois
Smith.
As always, special thanks to my inner circle: My husband, Matt,
our son, Ryan, my parents, Pam and Bob, and my cousin- in-law and
friend, Jill, for always supporting me and encouraging me in my writ-
ing decisions, no matter what.
And to George Chakiris for his willingness to share his Marilyn
Monroe memories throughout the book, including the foreword. I’m
truly honored that our names share the cover.
Thank you to the following institutions: AMPAS (Margaret
Herrick Library), University of Southern California (USC, Cinema-
Television Library, Warner Bros. Archive) and the University of Cal-
ifornia (UCLA, Los Angeles), National Library of Australia.
v
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Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
v
Foreword by George Chakiris
1
Preface
3
Introduction
7
The Travilla Effect
21
Filmography
29
Extra Parts … and Missed Opportunities
179
Bibliography
197
Index
203
vii
Marilyn’s type dates as far back as I can remember. I’m not saying it isn’t good. But
she is a prototype of all the platinum blonds, curvy bundles and frothy frippery
that the screen has ever seen.
—Alfred Hitchcock, Stars and Stripes, July 24, 1954
Foreword
by George Chakiris
Michelle Vogel gives wonderful insight into Marilyn Monroe’s personal life while con-
necting her life to the films she made. This book makes us feel present, engaged and involved.
I was privileged to appear as a chorus dancer in two films with Marilyn Monroe, Gen-
tlemen Prefer Blondesand There’s No Business Like Show Business. She was a serious and ded-
icated artist. There was something special about the way she worked that made me reflect
on the experience long after it was over. She captured my imagination.
Marilyn Monroe was so beautifully creative in her performance as Lorelei Lee in Gen-
tlemen Prefer Blondesthat people still seem unable to separate the performer from the per-
formance. That’s the type of artist Marilyn Monroe was. She felt a strong obligation to her
audience, and in turn, the audience connected strongly to her. She treasured and honored
that connection. She kept her audience in mind at all times. We know now that she was
more than able to please her audience, and still remain true to herself. She knew (better than
anyone else) exactly who Marilyn Monroe was … and exactly who Norma Jeane was too. She
was aware of the person she became, the person she used to be, the artist, the expectations
of her fans and her place in the grand scheme of things. She had a great instinct and a keen,
intelligent view of her work and career. She was very brave. Any advice and direction had to
be true to her values and work ethic. She had great integrity.
Our personal experiences often influence our work, especially in creative fields such as
acting, singing, and dancing. That self- expression can be very freeing. When I see Marilyn
Monroe on the screen I always care very much about her, and the characters she played. The
artist on the screen is someone I respect and admire.
As time has passed, we have continued to be fascinated by her. She deserves that fasci-
nation, that admiration, that respect. She definitely earned it. She had style—in spades. To
this day, I admire her talent, her musical gifts and her work as an actress and entertainer.
When much that surrounds her might weather, she remains fresh, beautiful, uplifting
to watch … again and again. Some fifty years after her death, Marilyn Monroe is always con-
temporary—always now!
George Chakiris is a singer, dancer and actor with an international career in film, television and theater.
In 1962, he won an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor) and a Golden Globe award for his role as
Bernardo, leader of the Sharks gang in West Side Story.
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