User Reviews

It appears that this film documentary was shown as part of my local PBS station's program series, FILM ON FILM. In addition to the standard interviews with Robert Mitchum and Robert Wagner, I was shown scenes from the film THE MISFITS with Montgomery Clift and Clark Gable. Although I remembered that Clark Gable had a heart attack after filming this movie, written for his wife by Arthur Miller, I had no knowledge that Clark Gable's stress in filming this movie was the cause of his fatal heart attack. Little nuances, such as the filming of the christening of the Gable baby and Marilyn's unexpected attendance was enlightening. It is somewhat sad that the many new tributes filmed today by the Turner Group are enhanced with restoration of period film and the film direction gives some additional zest that only a historic perspective will allow. The recent MARION DAVIES piece is a documentary, this study is filmed as remembrances by friends of Marilyn. Let's hope that restorers get their hands on the film and bring out those color images for the many fans who would be more enthralled with a restored version.

For all you Marilyn fans out there, this doco has some brilliant rare treats to offer. I list them as follows:

* A fairly clear audio version of her famous "Happy Birthday Mr President" song at JFK's birthday celebration in Madison Square Garden.

* A scene of Marilyn's from Ashphalt Jungle

* An incredibly rare ad Marilyn was in before her first movie - it has her as a woman whose car has broken down, and all these men offer to push the car for her.

* A glimpse at a scene from the abandoned "Something's Got to Give", which Marilyn was fired from. This footage shows you why - and also why the title is ironic. She was really fading towards the end (its hard to admit).

* loads of interview footage, showing Marilyn putting on a brave face to the press, giving them a piece of her each time, as she put it - actually, now that i think about it, this was quite upsetting to watch. - but if you're a true fan, and truly care about her, you'll want to see for yourself the things she went through.

* footage of Marilyn singing to the troops - a thing to see! She was so GORGEOUS then!

* a succession of footage which shows Marilyn's changing figure - how beautiful she was at certain points near her death.

* the hint that Marilyn could have been pregnant during Some Like it Hot - which would explain her rather expanded figure.

On the whole, the doco gives a good general overview of the tensions which lead Marilyn to her demise, whether she actually did the final deed or not (this aspect is not debated - Anthony Summers devoted an entire book to it). Its a sort of brief sketch of her life - and a great introduction to the realities of what Norma Jean put up with.

I'm not sure where you'd find this little gem - the copy i've got seems to have been taped off TV - maybe your best bet would be cable, if you've got it.