I recently acquired a large collection of complete newspapers, newspaper clippings and magazine articles, all focusing on Marilyn Monroe. Nearly all of the information details the days and weeks immediately following Marilyn’s death. While we’ve always known that Marilyn was a huge Hollywood star when she was alive, nowhere is that more evident than in the stories and articles that were published after her mysterious death. Headlines focused on Marilyn for weeks after she died. Just a few of the headlines from these newspaper articles are:
“World Feels Shock About Monroe’s Death”
“Marilyn Monroe’s Last Hours”
“MM Was Many Things to Many People”
“Actress’ Body Lies Unclaimed”
“Marilyn Speaks”
“MM’s Mexican Pal is in Beverly Hills”
“Joe to Marilyn at Rites: ‘I Love You'”
“Big Stars Banned at Marilyn’s Funeral”
“Her Life Was a Suicide Note for All to Read”
I’ve been a fan my entire life, but unfortunately had not experienced these articles about Marilyn following her death. They have provided a completely new and different perspective on Marilyn, and how she was perceived. The world was shocked and saddened over the loss of a truly spectacular individual, and she was loved by many.
What may have struck me the most are these two cartoonist renditions, both focusing on Marilyn following her passing, the saddest being Marilyn reaching out to Hollywood for help, with a heading of “No Answer.”
For years I had the whole L.A. Times edition of her death..i sold it and am sorry i did. I remember the stars reactions of shock expressed in it though..and Gene Kelly saying.."She WAS "showbusiness." Those cartoons are indeed very very sad.
It's so interesting to see the editorial cartoon so soon after her death… She was already being portrayed as so vulnerable…
When you read these vintage newspaper articles like this, I think they're more truthful than a lot of the rubbish that was written in the decades following Marilyn's death when people were saying stuff just to make money. These newspapers are so historical in their reporting and should be published again for all to see.
How fascinating. I had always been curious about the newspaper clippings from her time. It gives you a much better picture immediate dialogue..vs..more thought-out or planned pieces in a major magazine.
Thank you for sharing.
its sad to even look at these cartoons. the second one broke my heart.