Memories of Marilyn Monroe
The 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's death will be marked across Southern California froma film festival in Palm Springs to a cemetery in Westwood.
Monroe was found dead in her Brentwood home on Aug. 5, 1962. The Los Angeles County coroner ruled that she died from "acute barbiturate poisoning," likely self-inflicted. She was 36 years old. Her death launched dozens of rumors and conspiracy theories because of her links to powerful men, including President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert, then the attorney general.
ADVERTISEMENT
It is hard to believe that she would be 86 years old today if she lived. For the most devoted fans of the late screen siren, she will forever be that 1950s version of Marilyn platinum and pouty, giggling and playful. It is that Marilyn that fans will remember with several events marking the run-up to the half-century mark of her death. Here are a few:
The Hollywood Museum has an exhibit on Monroe that runs through Sept. 2 and includes dresses she wore in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "Some Like It Hot."
Marilyn Monroe's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame can be found near the northwest corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland, between Arsenio Hall and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Here's a list of a few of other Southern California events, with information provided by the event organizers:
Wednesday: Day Trip to the Hotel del Coronado (San Diego), 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sold out. To join a wait list, send an email to Melinda@marilynmonroe.ca. The tour departs from The Hollywood Orchid Suites. More information at marilynmonroe.ca. The hotel can easily be visited as an independent trip. It served as the backdrop for the hit film "Some Like It Hot."
Friday, Aug. 3: The Home & Haunts Tour, 11 a.m.7 p.m., hosted by Immortal Marilyn. Sold out, a wait list and information is at immortalmarilyn.com. The to! ur depar ts from The Hollywood Orchid Suites.
Saturday, Aug. 4: 20th Century Fox Commissary Luncheon/Tour, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Price is $75 and includes luncheon, outside lot tour and shopping in the Studio store. Door prizes. Hosted by Immortal Marilyn. There is a strict dress code of red, white and/or black in any combination. Check immortalmarilyn.com for more dress code information. .
Marilyn Forever Blonde Stage Play, 8 p.m., El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood, featuring Sunny Thompson. A "talk back" session with the play's cast will be held, along with a champagne reception. immortalmarilyn.com
Sunday, Aug. 5: Marilyn's Memorial Service, Noon, Westwood Memorial Park, Hosted by Marilyn Remembered Fan Club. A reception following the memorial service will be held at the Westwood Presbyterian Church fellowship hall. marilynremembered.org
"Marilyn's Hollywood" Tour, 2:30-6:30 p.m. Cost: $60. Departs from The Hollywood Museum, 1660 N. Highland Ave. (at Hollywood Boulevard). Offered by L.A. Woman Tours. More information: lawomantours.com. The tour description says it will cover the orphanage where Norma Jean (Marilyn's real name) dreamed of becoming a star, the former beauty salon where she first became a blonde, the restaurant where she met Yankees legend Joe DiMaggio on a blind date, and the nightclub where she stood up for civil rights.
Another hot spot literally in summer for Monroe memories will be Palm Springs. A local hoteliers consortium, P.S. Resorts, has been screening Monroe films in front of the 26-foot-tall "Forever Marilyn" sculpture at Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way. The statue depicts a scene from "The Seven Year Inch" where Monroe's skirt was blown up by air from a subway grate. The films start at dusk, which is approximately 8:30 p.m. in the summer. They will show! "How To Marry A Millionaire" tonight and "The Seven Year Itch" on Aug. 3. For more information, call 760-275-0963 or visit psresorts.com.
Other events? We know Marilyn Monroe still has legions of fans around Southern California. If you know of other events, list them in the comments section below.