Invitation to Susan Strasberg’s Birthday Party

This invitation, handwritten by Paula Strasberg, was sent to Marilyn Monroe, inviting her to attend a birthday celebration for daughter Susan Strasberg held at Sardi’s Restaurant in New York City on June 9, 1956. On the reverse side of the invitation, Marilyn wrote a personal note to herself:

“Call Paula about Suzie’s birthday present. What? Ask Milton. A print?”

This brief notation, written in Marilyn’s own hand, provides a rare and intimate glimpse into her personal life and her close relationship with the Strasberg family.

At the time this invitation was received, Marilyn was nearing the completion of filming Bus Stop, her first major dramatic film following the formation of Marilyn Monroe Productions. Having finished location filming in Idaho on May 29, 1956, Marilyn traveled to New York during early June, just weeks before her marriage to playwright Arthur Miller on June 29, 1956. Her presence in New York during this transitional period reflects her deepening personal and professional ties to Miller and to Lee and Paula Strasberg, who had become central figures in her life.

Susan Strasberg, the daughter of Lee and Paula Strasberg, was one of the most important emotional connections Marilyn formed during her years in New York. Marilyn frequently spent time at the Strasberg home and came to view Susan almost as a younger sister. The handwritten note referencing Paula Strasberg confirms Marilyn’s intent to consult Susan’s mother regarding an appropriate birthday gift.

The note also references Milton Greene, Marilyn’s close friend, photographer, and business partner. Greene played a significant role in Marilyn’s professional independence and personal life during this period. Marilyn’s reference to a “print” is especially significant.

Photographs taken at Susan Strasberg’s birthday celebration at Sardi’s on June 9, 1956 document Marilyn presenting Susan with a Marc Chagall print as her gift. This aligns precisely with Marilyn’s handwritten reminder, providing extraordinary corroboration between Marilyn’s private note and documented events.

This invitation therefore serves not only as evidence of Marilyn’s attendance at Susan’s birthday celebration, but also as direct documentation of Marilyn’s personal involvement in selecting and presenting the gift.

Provenance and Historical Significance

Documents bearing Marilyn Monroe’s handwritten notes are among the most valuable and historically important surviving artifacts connected to her life. Unlike studio materials created for professional purposes, this invitation was part of Marilyn’s private correspondence and contains her personal reminder regarding Susan Strasberg’s birthday present.

The reference to Paula Strasberg and Milton Greene places this artifact directly within Marilyn’s closest personal circle. The documented presentation of a Chagall print to Susan Strasberg provides further confirmation of the authenticity and historical accuracy of Marilyn’s handwritten note.

This invitation captures a moment of personal care and connection, revealing Marilyn not as a public figure, but as a friend preparing to celebrate an important milestone in the life of someone she loved.

Today, this invitation remains an extraordinary piece of documentary evidence connecting Marilyn Monroe to one of the most important families in her personal and artistic life.