Marilyn Monroe’s Personal Script Sides for Something’s Got to Give
From the personal files of Marilyn Monroe, these original script sides document dialogue from Something’s Got to Give, the unfinished final film of her career. Typed on studio-issued paper and bearing production markings, the pages reflect the working materials Marilyn used during filming. They are ephemeral objects meant for daily use on set rather than long-term preservation.
A handwritten note informs Marilyn to call east coast secretary May Reis and Hattie regarding Fred F. In this case, Fred F. is possibly Frederick Vanderbilt Field, whom Marilyn visited in Mexico in February that same year.
These script sides correspond to scenes filmed with co-star Dean Martin, and surviving production footage confirms Marilyn performing portions of this dialogue on camera. The pages capture not only the structure of the scene, but the rhythm of Marilyn’s performance as it was actively being shaped during production.
Script sides offer a rare glimpse into the practical realities of filmmaking. As working documents, they were handled, referenced, and replaced as scenes evolved, making surviving examples from Marilyn’s personal files especially scarce.
Together, these script sides stand as tangible evidence of Marilyn Monroe’s final on-set work, one of the most discussed unfinished films in Hollywood history.
Collector’s Note
These script sides document Marilyn’s final film project. Something’s Got to Give was never completed. These pages are among the last working materials she held in her hands. The world was unaware that this would be her final film project. Unlike costumes or photographs, script sides are ephemeral objects meant to be discarded after filming. That these survived at all, preserved among her personal possessions, makes them extraordinary.
Scott Fortner
Marilyn Monroe Collection
Founder & Owner
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