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Contact Scott at the Marilyn Monroe Collection directly with any questions you may have about Marilyn, or even just to say hello.

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Official account for the Scott Fortner #marilynmonroe Collection, the world’s largest private collection of Monroe’s personal property & archives.

Marilyn on the set of The Misfits. This has always

Marilyn on the set of The Misfits. This has always been one of my favorite photos of her. She’s happy and carefree here during what we now know was a very difficult time in her life. ❤️ #marilynmonroe

MARILYN MEMOS: The Writings of an Icon | Showcasin

MARILYN MEMOS: The Writings of an Icon | Showcasing Marilyn’s handwriting using items from the collection archives.

Part 12: A Marilyn Monroe Handwritten Note

One of the prized items in the Marilyn Monroe Collection, a note written entirely in her own hand that reads: “The human being is built for thing (sic) to happen to him. Don’t criticize how much of the object you are getting.”

In this note, Marilyn expresses her thoughts around the impacts of life and how open or guarded a person may be based on their life experiences. It’s a compelling observation on Marilyn’s part, and likely related to her deep dive into method acting, which was first taught to her by her mentor and friend Lee Strasberg. Considered the father of method acting, Lee focused on a more psychological element to acting, basically becoming the character from the inside out. If the actor believes the emotion and feels the emotion they are supposed to be portraying to the audience, then it’s a reasonable assumption that the audience will grasp the emotion and understand what the actor is trying to represent and, in turn, relate to them.

Also interesting is the fact this note is written on a piece of Lee’s personal stationery, which at the top of the note was pre-printed with, “memo from…lee strasberg.” During the many hours I’ve spent with Anna Strasberg, she often told stories of Lee and Marilyn’s time together as told to her by Lee, one of which referenced the fact that he rented an office in the apartment building in which he and Paula resided, and he and Marilyn spent many hours together in his office discussing acting and her approach to her craft. One must wonder if she and Lee were in his office together at the time she wrote this. Did she reach across his desk as she was contemplating her art and grab this piece of paper to start jotting down her thoughts?

All in all, the memo provides fascinating insight into the mind of Marilyn and just how focused she was on assessing and improving her craft.

#marilynmonroe

MARILYN MEMOS: The Writings of an Icon | Showcasin

Norma Jeane ➡️ The Girl. #marilynmonroe

Norma Jeane ➡️ The Girl. #marilynmonroe

Bus Stop x River of No Return. 💫 #marilynmonroe

Bus Stop x River of No Return. 💫 #marilynmonroe

I love this candid shot of Marilyn at the 1962 Gol

I love this candid shot of Marilyn at the 1962 Golden Globe Awards Ceremony on March 5, 1962. She looks so sly and devilish here. What might she have been thinking? 😈 😇 #marilynmonroe

MARILYN MEMOS: The Writings of an Icon | Showcasin

MARILYN MEMOS: The Writings of an Icon | Showcasing Marilyn’s handwriting using items from the collection archives.

Part 10: A Marilyn Monroe Autograph

In May of 1956, Marilyn received a letter from National Variety Artists requesting that she insert her autograph in the 1956 edition of the Al Jolson Memorial Book at a cost of $10.00. The memorial book would then be sold to raise money to support artists from the vaudeville era. This organization worked to provide housing, medical and financial services for retired performers. Marilyn complied with the request and provided a large, bold signature to be included in the book. This letter and signature are from Marilyn’s personal files, and today are part of the Marilyn Monroe Collection.

Just five days after the date of the request (May 24, 1956) Marilyn finished shooting Bus Stop.

Among friends and colleagues, Marilyn Monroe was renowned for her generosity in helping others wherever she could. Below are just some of the causes Marilyn donated time and/or money to:

1953: A benefit for underprivileged children cared for by Jude’s Hospital. Marilyn sang with Jane Russell at the Hollywood Bowl

1955: Marilyn worked with WAIF, an organization that placed abandoned children in homes. Jane Russell enlisted Marilyn’s help.

1955: Marilyn’s appearance at a circus sponsored by Mike Todd at Madison Square Garden in New York City benefited the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation. She appeared astride a pink elephant.

1957: Marilyn gave earnings from the world premiere of The Prince and The Showgirl to The Milk Fund for Babies.

1962: Marilyn’s final public appearance was at a muscular dystrophy benefit held at Chavez Ravin Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on June 1, her 36th and final birthday.

Marilyn’s final charitable donation was her largest: In her will, she left 25% of her estate to former psychiatrist, Dr. Marianne Kris, “to be used for the furtherance of the work of such psychiatric institutions or groups as she shall elect.” Knowing Marilyn’s enormous love for children, Kris chose the Anna Freud Children’s Clinic of London.

#marilynmonroe

MM vs. MM. 🖤🤍 #marilynmonroe

MM vs. MM.
🖤🤍
#marilynmonroe

MARILYN MEMOS: The Writings of an Icon | Showcasin

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