Marilyn Monroe’s Personal Copy of ABC Film Review Magazine, 1957
This original October 1957 issue of ABC Film Review magazine was retained among Marilyn Monroe’s personal possessions. Published in the United Kingdom, the magazine features Monroe on the cover and includes a multi page illustrated feature on The Prince and the Showgirl, the film she produced and starred in opposite Laurence Olivier.
ABC Film Review was a popular cinema publication that introduced audiences to current releases, performers, and production news. The issue documents contemporary promotion of the film through still photography, cast information, and editorial summaries intended for international audiences.
The survival of Monroe’s personal copy provides direct evidence of the type of media coverage she encountered during the London production. It reflects the level of attention surrounding the film and her growing presence within European film culture at the time.
Preserved today, the magazine serves as an original period record connected both to the film’s release and to Monroe’s own personal environment.
Icons & Idols: Hollywood
Dec 2 - 4, 2021
Collector’s Note
Magazines like this were not intended to be preserved. They were temporary publications tied to current releases and publicity cycles.
When an example can be traced to Marilyn Monroe’s personal library, it becomes a more meaningful document. It confirms the presence of contemporary media within her daily life and provides context for how her work was being presented to audiences at the time.
Artifacts of this kind help document the broader framework surrounding Monroe’s career. They show not only what she created, but also what was being written, printed, and circulated while her work was actively reaching the public.
Scott Fortner
Marilyn Monroe Collection
Founder & Owner
@mariylnmonroecollection 
TheMarilynMonroeCollection