Articles by Lorraine

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REMEMBERING HOWARD HAWKS

Remembering director Howard Hawks, born on this day in 1896. Hawks directed Marilyn in “Monkey Business” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” He also directed such classics as “Bringing Up Baby,” “His Girl Friday,” “To Have and Have Not” and “Red River.”

Speaking of Marilyn, Hawks once said:
“She was the most frightened little girl who had no confidence in her ability. There wasn’t a real thing about her. Everything was completely unreal.”



On the set of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”  L-R Howard Hawks, Jane Russell, George Winslow and Marilyn Monroe.

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NORMA JEAN GALA RAISES OVER $400,000!

Here are a few photos of the Marilyn Monroe exhibit at the 7th Annual Norma Jean Gala. This event raised over $400,000.00 for Uplift Family Services at Camp Hollygrove programs for at-risk youth in Los Angeles. Thank you to ChadMichael and his company OhMannequin for donating mannequins and items for this exhibition.

Note: Hollygrove spells Marilyn Monroe’s given name as Norma Jean (no E) because this is how her name was spelled when she was originally registered as a new resident at the orphanage.


Marilyn’s overcoat, summer dress and beaded necklace. The coat was shown with the green dress in the 1999 Christie’s catalog for the first Marilyn Monroe estate auction on page 105.  The coat and necklace were sold by Christie’s in 1999. The dress was sold by Julien’s in 2005 at the Marilyn Monroe auction. Marilyn wore this overcoat as she exited Polyclinic Hospital on July 11, 1961.


Marilyn’s evening cape from the East of Eden premiere, sold by Julien’s in 2005 at the Marilyn Monroe auction.

Marilyn’s green Pucci blouse, sold at the 1999 Christie’s auction.

Marilyn’s wool jacket with mink collar. The fur sold at the 1999 Christie’s auction.


Marilyn’s wool skirt from Let’s Make Love.


An orange negligee robe worn by Marilyn for publicity photos.


Marilyn’s gown from Let’s Make Love.

A Marilyn Monroe director’s chair, used on the Bus Stop set.



The exhibit.


The gala tent.


Cocktail napkins.


The water tower on the former RKO Studios lot, seen from the gala.

 

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURENCE OLIVIER

Remembering the late, great Lord Laurence Olivier, born on this day in 1907. Olivier (22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who dominated the British stage of the mid-20th century. He also worked in films throughout his career, playing more than fifty cinema roles.  Some of his biggest pictures include: “Rebecca,” “Hamlet,” “Spartacus” and “Richard III.”  He was highly acclaimed in his field and was nominated for a staggering 13 Academy Awards (winning 3) 6 Golden Globes (winning 3 ) 9 Primetime Emmey Awards (winning 5) and 11 BAFTA’s (winning 3) among many others.

Marilyn fans will best remember him for his starring role opposite Monroe in “The Prince And The Showgirl” which he also directed.

Although tensions were high between Monroe and Olivier on set and the production has now gone down in history as one of the most fractured.  Olivier did manage to compliment Marilyn quite beautifully in this quote:
”She is a brilliant comedienne, and therefore an extremely good actress. She has the cunning gift of being able to suggest one minute that she is the naughtiest little thing, and the next minute that she is beautifully dumb and innocent.”

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REMEMBERING SAMMY DAVIS JR


Remembering the late, great Sammy Davis Jr., who passed away on this date in 1990.  Sammy Davis Jr was a popular singing star with a career spanning 7 decades.  Some of his biggest hits include: “Candy Man,” “Mr Bojangles,” “Me And My Shadow” and “Something’s Gotta Give.”  He also had a lengthy career in both film and television and was a member of the legendary “Rat Pack” alongside Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford.

Davis Jr and Marilyn ran in the same circles and were photgraphed together mutiple times over the years.

He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.