Marilyn Monroe Autograph Signed in Banff During River of No Return Filming
An original Marilyn Monroe autograph obtained in Banff, Canada in 1953 while she was on location filming River of No Return. The signature was personally acquired by Leonard Chowaniec, an employee of the Banff Springs Hotel, where Marilyn resided during the production.
Chowaniec encountered Marilyn while she was shopping at a local store and seized the opportunity to request her autograph. Using a large, unused “As Advertised” display sign, he asked her to sign it for him. Marilyn graciously complied, leaving behind an exceptionally bold and beautifully executed signature, remarkable for both its size and clarity.
Photographs of Leonard from 1953 document him during this period, preserving the identity of the man who obtained the autograph firsthand. Notably, Leonard later appeared as an extra in the 1954 film Saskatchewan, starring Alan Ladd. That same year, both Ladd and Marilyn Monroe were honored with acting accolades at the Photoplay Awards, further linking Leonard’s personal Hollywood connection to one of the most important years of Marilyn’s rising stardom.
Collector’s Note
This autograph was obtained during one of the most historically significant periods of Marilyn Monroe’s career, while she was on location in Banff filming River of No Return. Unlike studio-issued signatures, this example was personally signed for an individual who encountered Marilyn during her daily life outside the production. Its exceptional size and bold execution reflect the confidence and public visibility she had achieved by 1953, as her career entered a defining era of international recognition. Autographs obtained during location filming are especially rare, preserving authentic, unscripted moments between Marilyn Monroe and those who witnessed her remarkable ascent firsthand.
Scott Fortner
Marilyn Monroe Collection
Founder & Owner
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