Time is running out to enter the Marilyn Monroe Collection “Are You A Jackie or A Marilyn?” Contest. Enter the contest and earn a chance to win a free copy of the book Are You A Jackie or A Marilyn? Timeless Lessons on Love, Power, and Style written by Pamela Keogh.
In leading up to the close of the contest, the MMC sat down with Pamela to learn more about her and this book. Read the interview below:
The MMC: What prompted you to write this book?
Pamela Keogh: The idea for the book actually came from my editor – the phrase was taken from Mad Men – where they work on an ad campaign for Maidenform – “Are You A Jackie or a Marilyn?” My editor called me up and said – “I have an idea for a book – I was walking to work today, and that phrase popped into my head…” So it sort of worked backwards from there.
But I must say that I saw the book in an instant. She called and pitched her idea, I looked out the window and said: “Yes, I could do that.”
I still have the scrap of paper where I scribbled the idea down on, pinned to my bulletin board.
Somewhat funny story – a few weeks ago I ran into John Slattery (who plays Roger Sterling on Mad Men) at a football game. I told him about the book and the title – he said he “loved it!”… but, he said – “You know, that we didn’t originally say that, right? It was around before us…”
The MMC: What were your primary resources for research and information?
Pamela Keogh: I was fairly well versed with JKO and the Kennedys because of my last book, Jackie Style. The learning curve for MM was a bit steeper. I knew who she was, of course, and might have read a few biographies a long time ago, but I really had to go back and learn what I could about her.
In terms of research, I watched all of her movies and every bit of tape I could get my hands on. There is a museum here called the “ Museum of Television and Radio” here in NYC and they are invaluable because you can go and watch all kinds of interviews, documentaries, about people. And read every book about her that I could get, both the good ones, and the more scurrilous, “made up” ones. I also did research at the Conde Nast library – which is invaluable to go back and read the original magazines, etc, where MM appeared, to place her in her historical “time.”
I think with MM, so much of her appeal was visual – “who she was” — that you had to watch her in action – on the screen, in still photographs. To watch her walk. Even when I watched the very brief interview she gave after the collapse of her marriage to Joe DiMaggio – she was so distraught, but so beautiful, every inch the star.
I also find it helpful to read interviews with people who were a bit on the periphery – the hair and makeup guys, the photographers, people who are not often interviewed. They generally have great insight.
I am also amazed at how much “junk” is written about MM. The only reason I can think of that people get away with it, is because there is no one to “protect” ‘her – she really doesn’t have any family, or anyone to stand up for her interests, so people just make up junk about her (or did, right after she died), and they some people today print it as fact without doing any original research. I think there is less of this today (perhaps because of the internet? Not sure.). But right after she died – wow, there was a lot of junk written with no factual validation. Just crazy stuff.
In terms of JKO, I interviewed many friends of hers and members of the Kennedy family, some of whom (unfortunately) are much older, or no longer with us – CZ Guest, Helene Arpels, Countess Crespi, Joan Kennedy…
Having written three full length biographies of Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Onassis and Elvis Presley (each written with the help of the Hepburn, Kennedy and Presley families), I am known for the research that I do, and really enjoy that aspect of it. I am amazed at how many writers don’t really do this.
The MMC: In your opinion, how did Jackie and Marilyn impact the world, both during their lifetime and today?
Pamela Keogh: Tremendous. I think (in their own way) they both “woke up” society – in terms of what was possible for women to “be.”
And I think they carried out their influence via very distinct visual presentation. Even if you saw them from the back, without even seeing their faces, you would know “Jackie” and “Marilyn.”
Learning about the specifics of their lives, they each had a hell of a lot of courage and “kept going” in spite of everything that happened to them. Putting their very obvious beauty aside, I was struck by their intelligence, their talent, and their courage.
The MMC: If you were to host a dinner party, and Jackie and Marilyn would be there, what would you serve? Who else would you invite, and why?
Pamela Keogh: Well – I think if Jackie and Marilyn ever came to my place, I would be so intimidated that I would definitely get it catered! No, seriously, Jackie liked lighter fare – probably a nice salmon with a light green sauce, and something chocolate for dessert. I know that MM liked steak or pasta (from her DiMaggio years). They were both night owls and liked champagne – Veuve Clicquot in JKO’s case and DP for MM. JKO smoked (and MM did intermittently), so I would probably stock up on cigs.
I would invite some of the smartest, best looking, charismatic bachelors (or perhaps, loosely married men) in NYC (or import a few from Paris) and have an amazing evening with great conversation – George Clooney, Bill Clinton, Peter Duchin, Vernon Jordan, Barack Obama (could we get him to come? Not sure!) – just cool, smart guys who are doing cool things with their lives. And we would have a great, great – totally off the record – conversation.
And you! I would definitely invite you for the heck of it… (!). I think both Jackie and Marilyn would love you…
[Of course, you realize that this is sort of how I see heaven…. a giant cocktail party, and you can talk to whomever you want.]The MMC: Finally, are you a Jackie or a Marilyn?
Pamela Keogh: Well – I would say that I am mostly a Jackie, just (perhaps) because of my upbringing, I suppose – I went to Vassar, grew up on the north shore of Long Island (where JBK + JFK spent their deb years), love the ballet, horseback riding, Paris , reading books, Chanel and Givenchy, etc, etc. But like most women, if I am properly inspired, I can definitely head into MM territory.
I think as with most women, being either JKO or MM is mostly situational – do you have a job interview? About to meet your mother-in-law for the first time? Going to Vegas for the weekend with a great guy?
You get the idea.
[Interestingly, I have found that most women are very clearly one or the other – or they want to be one or the other – most of the women I know who live on the Upper East Side of NYC want to be a Jackie, while most of the my friends out on the west coast all definitely want to be Marilyns… But men can be described as either a Jackie or a Marilyn, too!]The MMC: Thank you Pamela!
The Marilyn Monroe Collection “Are You A Jackie or A Marilyn” Contest
Entering the contest is simple:
1. Take the Vanity Fair “Are You A Jackie or A Marilyn?” quiz here.
2. Email me at scott@marilynmonroecollection.com by December 15, 2010, and let me know if you are a Jackie or a Marilyn.
It’s that easy! One lucky winner will be drawn at random to win a free copy of the book, which I will send to him or her. The book will be signed and personally dedicated to the winner by Pamela.
To read more about the book and author Pamela Keogh, click here. To visit Pamela’s website, click here.
Don’t forget to join the Are You A Jackie or A Marilyn? Facebook fanpage here.
So…are you a Jackie or a Marilyn? Submit your entry by December 15 to Scott@MarilynMonroeCollection.com.
