Marilyn Monroe, the golden girl of Hollywood’s Golden Age, is the subject of this one off Channel 5 documentary. Despite appearing in only around 30 films during her short life, her star power remains as strong as ever. The program reassesses her life and career, examining how she was systematically underestimated by sexist studio bosses who failed to recognise her intelligence and creative contributions.
Through rare video and audio interviews with Marilyn, as well as insights from those who knew her intimately, the documentary delves into her struggle against being typecast as the “dumb blonde.” It also explores her ambitious pursuit of serious acting, her battle to quit her studio contract, and the creation of her own company, Marilyn Monroe Productions.
The film highlights her extraordinary box office appeal, which resulted in a string of hits in the 1950s. However, Marilyn’s frustration grew as she found herself typecast in similar roles. She rejected a role in “The Girl in Pink Tights,” where her co-star Frank Sinatra was due to be paid significantly more than her. In response, she joined the prestigious Actors’ Studio, seeking to be taken seriously as an actress.
Marilyn took control of her career by starting her own company, nominating herself as president. However, the studio bosses responded with laughter, underestimating her capabilities. The documentary also includes her final public appearance at Madison Square Garden in May 1962, where she performed a seductive version of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” for John F. Kennedy, her alleged lover.
This performance, recorded just weeks before her death, is a striking display of her comic timing, but it also reveals her slide into drug and alcohol abuse. The pressures of three failed marriages and multiple miscarriages contributed to her early demise at the age of 36.
Marilyn: The Movie Star Who Changed the World airs on Channel 5 at 10:00 PM on Friday, 23 August 2024.
