Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson 100 years ago on June 1, 1926.
In late 1954, on the cusp of major Hollywood stardom, Marilyn moved to New York City on a quest to become a better actress and to find a little peace on streets where she could sometimes go unnoticed.
The year 1955 was one of discovery for the star of The Seven-Year Itchand Gentlemen Prefer Blondes — exploring the city, working on her craft and generally being the toast of the town.
In particular, she came to New York to become a better actress via the Actors Studio and the influence of Lee Strasberg. But she also managed to see the most glamorous corners of New York.
That deep connection she made with New York City never left her.
We’re big old movie buffs here on the Bowery Boys, and to celebrate a century of Marilyn, we’ve remastered and re-edited a show we recorded on Marilyn’s New York back in 2022. So raise a toast to Marilyn tonight — and put on something a little extra glamorous for fun.
FEATURING: New York in the 1950s with Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Marlene Dietrich and many others.
PLUS: As an extra treat, Greg and Tom are joined on the show by Alicia Malone of TCM (and Tom’s co-host on “The Official Gilded Age Podcast”) and author of the book Girls on Film: Lessons from a Life of Watching Women in Movies to discuss how the city changed her career and performances.
LISTEN NOW: MARILYN MONROE AT 100: HER LIFE IN NEW YORK CITY
This episode was remastered by Kieran Gannon.
FURTHER READING
Lois Banner Marilyn: The Passion and the Paradox
Isaac Butler The Method: How The Twentieth Century Learned to Act
Carl E Rollyson Marilyn Monroe: A Life of the Actress
Donald Spoto Marilyn Monroe
Gloria Steinem and George Barris Marilyn: Norma Jeane
Anthony Summers Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe
Elizabeth Winder Marilyn in Manhattan: Her Year of Joy
Donald H. Wolfe The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe
Hedda Hopper column, January 8, 1855
“The Lost Footage of Marilyn Monroe” by Helene Stapinski, New York Times
“Marilyn Monroe Found Dead,” New York Daily News, August 6, 1962
“Marilyn Monroe’s Crypt,” Atlas Obscura
Interview featured on this week’s show:
An interview by Edward R. Morrow for his show Person To Person with Marilyn Monroe in Connecticut.
Newsreel clips featured in the show:
Miller and Monroe make their marriage announcement:
FURTHER LISTENING
After listening to this show about Marilyn Monroe, take a dive back into the Bowery Boys Hollywood collection: