Message to Marilyn Monroe from Producer Henry Weinstein

This original annotated production note, dated February 10, 1962, provides rare and direct insight into Marilyn Monroe’s personal involvement in the planning and creative decisions surrounding Something’s Got To Give, the final and unfinished film of her career. Typed by her secretary, Cherie Redmond, and dictated from a telephone message by producer Henry Weinstein, the note outlines a dispute concerning the film’s photographer and the uncertainty surrounding his availability for the production.

Marilyn’s handwritten responses, made in pencil throughout the document, reveal her active engagement and assertiveness in addressing the situation. In response to Weinstein’s suggestion that she had been “on the defensive,” Marilyn firmly writes, “I said I would not be put on the defensive,” demonstrating her determination to maintain control over decisions affecting the film. Her annotations continue as she questions the production timeline and expresses concern about replacing the photographer, noting, “Make sure you can get him before you let Planner go. You know how I feel about Lang, but just be sure you get one of the two.”

The note also references her attorney, Milton Rudin, confirming that Weinstein had consulted him regarding the matter, further illustrating the structured professional support surrounding Marilyn during this period. Marilyn’s handwritten statement, “I don’t understand since I have made it very clear to you Henry,” reflects both her frustration and her direct involvement in production decisions.

This correspondence documents the challenges and instability that affected the film even before principal photography was fully underway. Something’s Got To Give, produced by Twentieth Century Fox and directed by George Cukor, was intended to mark Marilyn Monroe’s return to the studio following her successful renegotiation of her contract. However, the production was plagued by scheduling conflicts, illness, and ongoing tensions between Marilyn and the studio. Filming ultimately ceased in June 1962, and the project was never completed.

Annotated documents such as this are exceptionally rare, as they preserve Marilyn Monroe’s handwritten voice within the production process itself. The note stands as direct evidence of her active participation, her professional awareness, and her insistence on being treated as an equal partner in creative decisions.

Created just months before her death in August 1962, this artifact offers an extraordinary and intimate record of Marilyn Monroe’s final film project and provides valuable historical documentation of the production difficulties surrounding one of Hollywood’s most famous unfinished motion pictures.

Henry Weinstein

Henry Weinstein was a motion picture producer at Twentieth Century Fox who served as the producer of Something’s Got To Give (1962), the final and unfinished film of Marilyn Monroe’s career. In this role, Weinstein was directly responsible for overseeing the film’s production, coordinating its development, and managing communication between Marilyn, the studio, and the film’s creative and technical personnel.

Weinstein worked closely with Marilyn during the planning and early production phases of the film, which was intended to mark her return to Twentieth Century Fox following her successful renegotiation with the studio. Correspondence preserved among Marilyn Monroe’s personal files, including production notes dictated by Weinstein and annotated in her own hand, reflects his direct communication with her regarding creative decisions, scheduling, and key production personnel.

Weinstein regularly consulted Marilyn on matters affecting the film and sought her approval on important decisions, underscoring her influence and involvement in the production. His communications also reveal the challenges that emerged even before filming was fully underway, including uncertainty surrounding personnel and production logistics.

Something’s Got To Give began filming in April 1962 under Weinstein’s production supervision, with George Cukor directing. Despite initial progress, the production faced significant delays and was ultimately halted in June 1962. The film was never completed, and Marilyn Monroe died just two months later, on August 4, 1962.

Henry Weinstein’s correspondence with Marilyn Monroe provides important historical documentation of her final film project and offers insight into the professional relationship between producer and star during the last chapter of her career.