A Marilyn Monroe Christmas And other Female Stars Who Love Her

by Melinda Neal

Marilyn Monroe dressed up as "Miss Santa".

The Holidays days are here again where we share so much with our loved ones. We also look to memories of the past. Many celebrities have also come to love Marilyn Monroe, as we do. For instance, take Mariah Carey, the pop soul princess, she bought a beautiful white piano that once belonged to the much adored Monroe. The price? $662,500 from the Christie's Auction House,who was selling a lot of Monroe's memorabilia. 

Carey brought it to her home, a Penthouse in New York City. The piece was purchased by Carey in 1999. Carey says that relates to Marilyn Monroe so much so,she named her daughter after her. Her daughter's name is Monroe. In Carey's home,she decorated her bathroom with many beautiful Marilyn Monroe photographed and other collector items.

Featured is one of Mariah Carey's songs and video with nothing but Marilyn Monroe images.The song is called "Don't Forget about Us" which Carey wrote on her beloved piano.

The re-enactment is a scene where Mariah Carey channels Marilyn Monroe in the seductive pool scene inspired by the 1962 movie "Something's Got to Give" that also starred Dean Martin. "Nobody has re-created it, so I did for my video" Mariah Carey says. 

The ever Talented and Beautiful Mariah Carey holding a stuffed animal Lamb!Mariah Carey's big Chriatmas hit is "All I Aant for Christmas is You"Carey has a huge fan base.She is a true fan of movie legend Marilyn Monroe.She told "Playboy"magazine she had to fight for buying the famous white piano Marilyn once had.She has said if anything happens to me, it will go to a museum.  

Pop sensation Gwen Stefani clearly has a noted Marilyn Monroe look.

Christmas with a very festive Marilyn Monroe!!

Yours truly with my Winter Christmas Barbie Doll. It's a 1996 Special Edition.

Kim Kardashian, reality star of "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" adores Marilyn Monroe She once dyed her hair a very light  blonde and channeled Marilyn Monroe.

Kim Kardashian gives the peace sign in a gold shimmering dress inspired by Monroe.

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to wish everyone a  very Blessed and Happy Christmas and Hanukkah"

Melinda Neal

Please visit: www.donwilsonshollywoodbeat.com

      Facts About Marilyn Monroe's Marriages

                         by Melinda Neal

HOLLYWOOD,CA.:-- Marilyn Monroe, then known as Norma Jean Mortensen, had a total of three marriages. Her first marriage was to James Dougherty at the young age of 16-year-old. It was a proposal of marriage by way of Dougherty's mother, who was friends with Baker's mother. Norma's family was moving to west Virgina, they didn't want her to be placed back in a orphanage. Of course, she wanted to stay in the Los Angeles area and pursue her dreams, so this was her way to do so.

In actuality set it all up for Norma Jean Mortensen to marry James Dougherty, if he wanted to. This relationship and marriage were in the years of 1942-1946. Dougherty joined the Merchant Marines, but fame is what broke them up. photographer David Conover discovered Norma Jean while she was working at the Radioplane Munitions Factory where he discovered Norma Jean. He was looking women to model and took photos of her for Yank magazine in 1945 and as they say the rest is history! 

Norma Jean as she appeared in 1945. Photo:David Conover

Conover gave her the connection for the Blue Book Modeling Agency and this caused quite a stir. Dougherty didn't want her to stay in the movie business and on September 13, 1946 the couple divorced. From here on out Norma Jean could follow her dream.

Norma's meeting with Conover and the modeling agency let to her being signed by 20th Century Fox, In 1948, Monroe's first film "Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!" was released. By 1952 she was now known as Marilyn Monroe, her first major role would be with the beautiful Jane Russell in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes", which became a huge hit! Monroe earned $500 a week, which was big money at the time. Marilyn Monroe was destine to become a major star in her own right.

James Dougherty and Norma Jeane Mortensen on their wedding day in 1942.

On June 19,1942 Norma Jeane Mortensen married James Dougherty. They had only known each other for a few months and it was only 18 days after Norma's 16th birthday. Dougherty took his bride to a lake in Ventura county for their honeymoon, later the newlyweds moved to Sherman Oaks, where they lived in a studio apartment. In 1944, Dougherty joined the Merchant Marines at Catalina Island. During this time, the couple felt as though they were on a forever honeymoon. James Dougherty said he felt like the luckiest man in the world. Norma Jeane still had her eye on stardom and she soon signed with the Blue Book Modeling Agency at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The couple split in 1946 - a quickie divorce in Las Vegas. Dougherty kept all of Norma Jeane's letters to him, but destroyed them when he remarried. Years later, Dougherty, a former Los Angeles detective later became a technical advisor of the NBC-TV series "Dragnet".

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio met on a blind date.They divorced after nine months of marriage.

On January 14, 1954, Marilyn Monroe, now a full fledged film star married the New York Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio at San Francisco's City Hall. Their honeymoon took them to Japan. Monroe was asked to perform for the American troops in Korea, she accepted and performed her classic songs and the crowd loved her. Marilyn and Joe's honeymoon was in Paso Robles, California - at the Clifton Motel. They also had lunch at the Motel Inn in San Luis Obispo they following afternoon. The Motel Inn was originally called the Milestone Inn and was built in 1925. After a tumultuous year, their marriage ended on October 31, 1955.

Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe on their wedding day in 1956.

Marilyn Monroe married playwright Arthur Miller on June 29, 1956. Their marriage lasted five years, longer than her previous two marriages. Miller took his bride on a special belated honeymoon to a beautiful place called Moon Point, Jamaica. Luxury all the way for his beautiful bride. On January 3, 1957 they flew from Idlewild Airport to their Jamaica destination. Lady Pamela Bird, and English aristocrat had a luxurious villa. It was very rare for Monroe to take trips abroad.

Marilyn enjoying the beauty of the beaches.

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/escape-caribbean-book-hermes-mallea-slideshow#1

On The Road With The Forever Marilyn Sculpture

by Melinda Neal

HOLLYWOOD: October 16, 2016-- Where is the Forever Marilyn Sculpture? This article is the update than Monroe fans will want to read. The answer lies within. The Forever Marilyn Sculpture has been to many cites across America and also she has traveled internationally - even to Australia! Monroe's popularity has been shown via the media and fans around the world. 

Here is a list of the sightings of  the Forever Marilyn Sculpture. "Marilyn" was in Chicago, Illinois in 2011 and then she was transported to Palm Springs, California where she arrived on May 24, 2012. Her location was at the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way. 

Fans gathered from all over and marveled at the gigantic Marilyn Monroe, crowds always could be seen photographing "her" and posing with "her". In 2014, "Marilyn" made her way to Hamilton, New Jersey, the home of the sculpture's artist, Seward Johnson. Most recently "she" was in Bendigo, Australia during a very special Marilyn Monroe event and the location was Central Victorian City's Rosalind Park Piazza on February 3, 2016. Many Palm Springs residents and fans want the famous sculpture back on display in the desert city. 

In a discussion to bring "Forever Marilyn" back is a VIP of Palm Springs, Aftab Dada from PS Resorts and Paula Stokes of the Seward Johnson Foundation - both working to bring back the sculpture. So, Marilyn Monroe fans - keep your fingers crossed that she returns! After all she was discovered in Palm Springs from the very start. I can say for a fact that we love her and would love to see this happen in the near future.

Here are some facts about the Forever Marilyn Sculpture: "Marilyn" is made of painted steel and aluminum, her height is 26 feet tall and weighs 15 tons! Our blonde bombshell was so talented in the film "The Seven Year Itch" that artist Seward Johnson depicted MM in the ever popular pose that she made famous in the 1955 film.

Actor Michael Douglas proudly poses with the Forever Marilyn Sculpture.

Influential people from the movie industry and film stars have expressed how much they want "Marilyn" back in Palm Springs. The city was home to Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas, Dean Martin, Sonny Bono, Liberace, Bob Hope, Gene Autry and many others. Even after Monroe's death in 1962, she still has a lot of star power and "her" presence would be a big boost for the city. Any date of her return has not been set - let's hope she does return and soon!

Melinda Neal is a singer, songwriter and Marilyn Monroe Tribute artist. Neal also is a Marilyn Monroe Fan Club President. She makes her home in Southern California.

Please visit: www.donwilsonshollywoodbeat.com

Marilyn Monroe Monday Movie:

               Say Goodbye To The President

A 1985 BBC Documentary Special

Robert Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy backstage at Madison Square Garden in NYC in 1962.

Video: Say Goodbye To The President (1985)

Please visit my Marilyn Monroe page at: http://www.donwilsonshollywoodbeat.com/marilyn-monroe-mondays.html

     Marilyn Monroe Movie Monday: Home Town Story (1951)

                                          Overview by Don Wilson

Home Town Story was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1951 to little fanfare, clocking in at roughly an hour and not a big budget presentation by any means. The film stars Jeffrey Lynn, Donald Crisp, Marjorie Reynolds, Marilyn Monroe and  Alan Hale, Jr., the future "Skipper" on CBS-TV's hit "Gilligan's Island". This film doesn't feature Marilyn Monroe much, if the feature had, it probably wouldn't have fallen into public domain.

The posters are better than the movie in my opinion. But, for the small screen time, Marilyn looks beautiful. Judge for yourself, here is a video of the production for your viewing pleasure.

Of course, the film is worth a view because Marilyn Monroe is featured, here's a memorable still!

Alan Hale, Jr. and Marilyn Monroe featured in a still from "Home Town Story" from 1951.

Detailed information regarding this film can be found at the American Film Institute link here: http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=50141

From Movie Magg: http://moviemagg.blogspot.com/2008/07/early-marilyn-monroe-home-town-story.html

Please visit: www.donwilsonshollywoodbeat.com

Jeanne Carmen And Marilyn Monroe

by Don Wilson

HOLLYWOOD, CA.: September 5, 2016-- Jeanne Carmen was born in Paragould, Arkansas, when she was growing up, she picked cotton and hated it. She told me that she had to tote a gun to go to the outhouse. "There were snakes around, so you had to be prepared with a gun. we had no toilet paper, so we used newspaper. At the time I looked for Hitler's picture that was usually on the front page. And, well you know what I did with it!" 

Jeanne Carmen wanted more than the small Arkansas town, she wanted excitement - and did she ever find it. Jeanne ran away from home at age 13 and eventually moved to New York City. Carmen was always blunt and to the point, she always had a sense of humor right along with her frankness.

Jeanne was hired as a dancer in Burlesque, performing with Bert Lahr, who had played the cowardly lion in the MGM classic "The Wizard Of Oz". Jeanne also modeled for several men's magazines. Jeanne also became a trick golfer and appeared with Jack Redmond, she's a legend in the skill that she achieved with her trick shots - which are still spoken about today. Jeanne also appeared in a Three Stooges short entitled "A Merry mix Up" playing Joe Besser's girlfriend 'Mary'.

Jeanne Carmen is seen, thrid from the left embracing Joe Besser in this still from a Three Stooges short. Photo: Brandon James Collection

Jeanne became known as "Queen of the B Movies", that title was used by E! Television on their series E! The True Hollywood Story in 1998. It was the first widespread coverage on media where Jeanne spoke about her "dangerously close friendship with Marilyn Monroe and The Kennedys". Jeanne had told this writer that after Monroe's death she was warned her to leave Hollywood or she's be leaving in a box like Monroe. It was Chicago mobster Johnny Rosselli who was working with Chicago Mob Boss Sam Giancana. Carmen heeded his advice, packed up all of her belongings and boxed up her career, the films, magazines, glamour photos and left California for a quiet life in Scottsdale, Arizona. She married and had three children along the way. It was her son Brandon and his curiosity while going through boxes that he learned of his mother's Hollywood career. 

Marilyn Monroe modeling in a drak wig.

Jeanne Carmen met Marilyn Monroe in a bar in New York City, Carmen was studying with Lee Strasberg and she had to do a scene that day. Carmen continues: "I went to this bar and I looked around and the bar was full of guys and there was this one girl sitting there with dark hair and horn rimmed glasses, she had no make up on. And I thought 'Okay, I'll sit next to her...then I won't be bothered. I can work at my scene.' So, I sat down and she instantly said 'Hi!' and I said 'Hi!' and she said 'I'm Norma..." I said, 'I'm Jeanne...' Norma said, 'Are you doing a scene with Lee Strasberg today?' and I said 'Yes.' She said, 'Would you like me to help you?' I said 'Sure...' so we ordered a wine and she started helping me do my lines and then at one point, I looked at my watch and said 'Oh, I gotta go, I have to do, you know, he gets mad if you're late. But, I need to go to the bathroom." Then, I came out and I looked around and there's this blonde standing there and I thought 'What happened to my friend?' So, i started to go out the door and she said in her Marilyn Monroe voice 'Jeanne...' and I looked around and I thought 'My God, this is Marilyn Monroe!' I had seen her picture in the paper and and I go 'You're Marilyn.' and she said (giggling) 'Yes!' So, we became friends and that moment and we stayed friends until she was killed." 

Jeanne Carmen and longtime friend Tony Curtis in Las Vegas.

In Tony Curtis's book American Prince; A Memoir he spoke of Jeanne: "Marilyn Monroe said that when she was a child her mother had been sick. Marilyn didn't mention her father. She had a friend named Jeanne Carmen, a showgirl, who was very important to her." A few paragraphs down Curtis mentioned Carmen again: "I liked Marilyn more than any of the other. She was different. She was fragile and vulnerable, which attracted me greatly. we continued seeing each other for awhile. We would go to her friend Jeanne Carmen's place, or Howard's (Howard Duff) bungalow, and once we even went to Marilyn's hotel room. We almost never went out at night, in public, though." 

Jeanne Carmen last talked with Marilyn Monroe on the evening of August 4th, 1962 (Carmen's birthday) Marilyn had asked Jeanne to come over, but Carmen told me that she had drank so much that evening that she couldn't drive the distance and besides that, it would be unsafe. Carmen regretted not being able to go that night to see Marilyn and she would tear up talking about that last night of Monroe's life. She did speak with me on many occasions about Marilyn and her memories would be fresh and she would speak of them with joy. I could just mention Marilyn's last night and Jeanne's face would change all expression and she'd lose that joy, her face was full of sadness and regret. I had told her: "Jeanne, But even if you went that last night, things may not have changed." She looked me straight in the eyes and said "You're right. But, I wanted to be there for her..."  When asked where she thought Monroe would go had she lived: "I think Broadway. that would really have made her a great actress and she would have gone up, up, up!"

The general public and fans have sought out photos of Jeanne with Marilyn, but to no avail. They may exist, but it was a different time. Cameras were bulky and cumbersome and when you were living day to day with busy schedules, trying to lead a private life as possible. Many times the thought of snapping photos was the last thing on a actress or model's mind. After all wasn't there enough of that on the set, the fans snapping photos of you if they spotted you - or the endless publicity of the studios at the time. It was long before the advent of cell photos with the capability of shooting instant photos and posting them on media. 

Hugh M. Hefner visits Jeanne Carmen during an autograph show at the Beverly Garland Hotel in North Hollywood. Photo: Brandon James Collection

Jeanne Carmen died on December 20, 2007, she was 77 years old. Jeanne was unique, one-of-a-kind,unpredictable, fun and delightful, She was a good and trusted friend of mine and I cherish that friendship and I miss her to this day, very much. When all is said and done, time is very important, don't waste it. Jeanne Carmen didn't waste time and she lived her life to the fullest and she loved life and those who were in her life. Her epitaph reads "She Came. She Saw. She Conquered." and that she did,

This won't be the last article on Jeanne Carmen. I have cassettes of audio with her and a video interview that has never been made public, along with my memories. They haven't even been tapped yet. I owe it to Jeanne to get what she left in my hands in this blog and my website. If Jeanne were here she would be supportive of me, as she always was. This particular story is about her friendship with Marilyn Monroe, but I will delve into her life and memory and bring more stories and features on her in the future. I want to thank Jeanne's son Brandon James and Jeanne's daughter Kellee Jade Campo for their assistance in this article. 

Brandon James's book on his mother is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Jeanne-Carmen-WILD-LIFE-Queen/dp/0595409067

Jeanne Carmen's Official Site: www.jeannecarmen.com

Don Wilson and Jeanne Carmen in North Hollywood.

Marilyn Monroe Movie Monday: 
Ladies Of The Chorus

by Don Wilson

HOLLYWOOD,CA.: August 29, 2016-- Marilyn Monroe's movies will sometimes be spotlighted with some background and facts, this is this blog's first foray into's MM's film career with a lesser known film that Marilyn made, if you haven't seen it, it may be a treat with some great musical numbers by Monroe. This film was Marilyn's first starring role!

Ladies Of The Chorus was released by Columbia Pictures in 1949. The film was directed by Phil Karlson, the camera work was done by Fred Reman. The cast: Marilyn Monroe, Adele Jergens, Rand Brooks, Nana Bryant, Eddie Garr, Steven Geray, The Bobby True Trio, Bill Edwards, Marjorie Hoshelle, Frank Scannell, Dave Barry, Myron Healey, Robert Clarke, Gladys Blake, Emmett Vogan, Erin Selwyn, Marie Allison, Edna Ryan, Jane Hazard, Eve Whitney, Carole Gallagher and Marian Colby. The film runs at 61 minutes and is not readily available to the public.So here for your enjoyment is a link to watch the film:

An original lobby card for the 1949 Columbia release of Ladies Of The Chorus featuring a young Marilyn Monroe.

www.donwilsonshollywoodbeat.com