Marilyn Monroe’s chest x-ray

retrogasm:

Marilyn

life:

What does it take to become a star? In the fall of 1948, Marilyn Monroe had just a few roles in box office flops on her résumé — but LIFE photographer J. R. Eyerman apparently saw enough of a glimmer in the 22-year-old starlet to follow her through the showbiz training that promised to make her big.

See the incredible — and seldom seen — images in this gallery: Marilyn Monroe in Training

Marilyn Monroe filmed one of the key scenes for The Seven Year Itch (1955) in New York City. In it, she stands with her co-star, Tom Ewell, while the air from a subway grating blows her skirt up. A large crowd watched as director Billy Wilder ordered the scene to be refilmed many times.

life:

Nudity in Hollywood is considrered pretty common these days. (I mean, come on— we know you’ve all seen The Hangover Part II…) It goes without saying that this was not always the case—  especially so for our favorite bombshell, Marilyn Monroe. 

Dropped from her studio contract and struggling to make ends meet, the aspiring Hollywood star earned 50 bucks by posing nude for photographer Tom Kelley. A few years later, that session (pictured) threatened to ruin her burgeoning career, after a photo popped up in a calendar and, later, in the debut issue of Hugh Hefner’s Playboy. These days, doing a little cheesecake is no big whoop — in fact, many big names (Drew Barrymore, Kim Kardashian, Kim Basinger) have willingly and enthusiastically posed for Playboy.

See More— Taboo Then, Typical Now

criterioncorner:

The U.S. Postal Service’s “Great Directors” Stamp Series

and suddenly, i want some mail. the U.S. Postal Service has unveiled the final stamp of its “great directors” series, and it’s a nifty little illustration of Billy Wilder with Marilyn Monroe. with the whole history of american film to work with, i’m not sure these are the four guys that should have made the cut, but it’s super neat that you can now slather a still from THE SEARCHERS on a letter to your grandma. …because everyone know that grandmas love THE SEARCHERS.

suicideblonde:

Marilyn Monroe photographed by Milton Greene in 1955

(Source: fuckyesoldhollywood, via thegirlcantdance)

“I used to say to myself, ‘What the devil have you got to be proud about, Marilyn Monroe?’ And I’d answer, ‘Everything, everything’”.

Photograph by Richard Avedon

suicideblonde:

Marilyn Monroe’s last birthday in 1962