Full Description
Dear Marilyn offers a fresh insight into the life of the most-famous woman Hollywood has ever created. Through the stunning photography of Monroe's close friend and confidant, the photographer, journalist and filmmaker Sam Shaw, this book brings Marilyn Monroe to life in a spectacular celebration of the centenary of her birth.
In Shaw's own voice, through his diary entries and intimate correspondences with Monroe, we learn of their close friendship and an insider-view that charts her rise to stardom, the challenges she faced and her quest to find artistic authenticity. For the first time, Shaw also tells the origin story of his iconic 'blowing skirt' series from The Seven Year Itch.
Stunning digitally remastered photographs from the original 1940s-1960s archival material include some of the most famous images ever taken of Monroe: from behind the scenes of The Seven Year Itch to candid images of her on the streets of New York City and in love at the beach in Amagansett. Including never-before-seen images, Shaw's work favours improvisation and shows Marilyn Monroe at her most spontaneous and radiant.
"Marilyn was born out of time, still she became a superstar, a myth, and a legend." — Sam Shaw
Contents
Part 1
The origin story of how Sam Shaw met Marilyn Monroe in 1949.
Part 2
The obstacles Monroe faced in building her career in Hollywood
Monroe's public persona
The making of The Seven Year Itch (1954 to 1955)
Monroe's rise to global fame
The full story behind "the flying skirt" photograph developed and photographed by Shaw.
Part 3
Monroe's New York Years
Her artistic and intellectual education through art, theatre and books
Monroe's private life with Arthur Miller (1957)
Finding her own voice and asserting herself in the Hollywood system.
Part 4
Historical and cultural analysis of Monroe
Monroe as a metaphor for America
Monroe seen through a contemporary lens
Monroe's continued inspiration for new generations.
