“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring” – Marilyn Monroe
It’s more than 50 years since the actress, model, singer and, dare we say, sex symbol departed this world. Yet, she remains a legend – her unrivalled charisma, talent and beauty, not to mention the mystery surrounding her death, ensuring her star has barely dimmed since her untimely death.
Each year, starting on June 1 (her birthday), the Hollywood Museum runs a summer exhibit covering Monroe’s life and legacy.
The museum has a formidable collection of Monroe memorabilia. The exhibit includes costumes, jewellery, furs and accessories from her films; publicity gowns and personal wardrobe; her 1961 Fleetwood Cadillac limousine given as a gift from Darryl Zanuck; original Marilyn Monroe artwork, photographs and documents from her private files; and furniture from her final home in Brentwood.
One of the highlights of “the show” – when thinking about the fabled actress, the term show seems much more apt than exhibit – is the million-dollar dress she wore on her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio. The dress became famous when she performed at a USO show to entertain US troops in Korea in 1954.
This year the exhibit has secured items from the Scott Fortner Marilyn Monroe Collection and the Greg Schreiner Marilyn Monroe Collection. Loaned items include film costumes from The Prince and The Showgirl and There’s No Business Like Show Business, private documents, and annotated film scripts.
The exhibit runs until September 8, 2013. On Saturday, August 3, 1pm-3pm there’s a Meet & Greet with collectors Greg Schreiner, Scott Fortner and THM President Donelle Dadigan.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Featured image: Wikimedia Commons)
