Articles by Lorraine

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HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY ‘NIAGARA’

❤ HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY “NIAGARA” ❤

Today marks 70 years since the release of the 1953 film noir thriller ‘Niagara’starring Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotton, Jean Peters and Directed by Henry Hathaway.

“Marilyn Monroe and Niagara, a raging torrent of emotion that even nature can’t control!” read the tag line on billboards and advertisements. Twentieth Century FOX pulled out all the stops on what was to be Marilyn’s first starring role in a major motion picture.

The official synopsis of the movie reads as follows: “The splendour of both Niagara falls and Marilyn Monroe enhance this taut tale about a faithless wife plotting against her husband. Joseph Cotten stars as George Loomis, a disturbed Korean war veteran staying at Niagara Falls with his wife, Rose (Monroe). Thoroughly sensuous and constantly scheming, Rose intends to kill her husband and run off with her lover. But first she is going to drive George mad by flaunting herself before anyone who will notice.”

‘Niagara’ was first released in theatres on January 21st 1953 and grossed a healthy $2.35 million return on an outlay of $1,670,000 during its initial run.  Today it is still among Marilyn’s most popular films. Happy birthday ‘Niagara!’

We’ll be celebrating 70 years of this film noir triumph in “Marilyn Remembered.” What are your thoughts on Marilyn’s big breakthrough role?

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REMEMBERING GINA LOLLOBRIGIDA

Remembering Gina Lolobrigida  (4th July 1927 – 16th January 2023)

“Italy’s Marilyn Monroe,” as she had been billed, was in New York in 1954, when Marilyn was in town shooting on location for “The Seven Year Itch.” The two met at the Trans Lux Theatre on Lexington Avenue and 5rd Street hours before the filming of the infamous billowing skirt scene.
They also met at a party thrown in honour of “La Lollo” by press agent Rupert Allan.
Lollobrigida’s film career spanned many international productions. Among her best English-language works are “Bread, Love and Dream” and “Beat The Devil.” In the 1980’s, she was a regular on TV Soap “Falcon Crest.”
. At the time of her death, Lollobrigida was among the last living, high-profile international actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema.

Source: “The Marilyn Encyclopedia” by Adam Victor

NEW EXHIBITION: MARILYN MONROE: THE SECRET OF AMERICA
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NEW EXHIBITION: MARILYN MONROE: THE SECRET OF AMERICA

NEW EXHIBITION: “Marilyn Monroe: The Secret Of America” will be taking place in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence later this year.
Not much is known about what exactly will be on display, but the website says:

“Original dresses and personal objects of Marilyn Monroe
250 photographs – 250 rare unpublished stories
Reconstruction of her bedroom from 4-5 August 1962
Original series of 10 Marilyn lithographs signed by Andy Warhol
Marilyn Monroe private parties
Marilyn Monroe handwritten letters
Audio documentary.”

For more infomation and to purchase tickets, head here:

https://www.alpillesenprovence.com/en/fiches/marilyn-monroe-the-secret-of-america/

FAREWELL DOUGALS KIRKLAND
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FAREWELL DOUGALS KIRKLAND

“Marilyn Remembered Fan Club” is incredibly sad to learn of the news that Douglas Kirkland has passed away at the age of 88.

Kirkland was a multi-award winning photographer who had a long and illustrious career spanning several decades.  He photographed some of the biggest names in Hollywood including: Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Brigitte Bardot, Judy Garland and Paul Newman to name but a few.

Of course one of his most legendary models was a certain Miss Marilyn Monroe.  The pair worked together during 1961 and the results were some of the most iconic and breath-taking photos of Marilyn that were ever taken.

Kirkland once said:

“I remember a coversation which I had with her during our first meeting.. she said:
‘When I worked in a factory I’d go to the movies on a Saturday night and sit alone in the back row watching… If the film was good, I mean really great, that movie could carry me through the entire next week on my dreary job in the plant. That’s what I think movies should all be about, giving people that kind of fantasy! Carrying them to other places. That’s what they did for me.’
If I could speak with Marilyn now I would tell her that this is exactly what her enduring movies and images have brought us over the last half a century, the sexy image of innocence and humour with its spin of Fifties kitsch and optimism. But most of all, Marilyn Monroe successfully brought to millions all over the world, the fun, fantasy and glamour which she herself had considered so important as she became one of the most-loved and recognizable icons of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.”
Source: “An Evening/1961 With Marilyn” by Douglas Kirkland.

Douglas Kirkland was a great friend to “Marilyn Remebered Fan Club” over the years, speaking at many Memorial Services and always made time for the fans who wanted to chat about his time photographing Marilyn.


“Marilyn Remembered Fan Club” Admins L-R Elisa Jordan, Jackie Craig and Scott Fortner meeting Douglas Kirkland.

We thank Mr Kirkland for his love and friendship over the years, the legacy he has left us and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this sad time.