In 1958, Life Magazine invited Marilyn Monroe and photographer Richard Avedon to recreate images of five celebrated actresses of different eras. Entitled “Fabled Enchantresses,” the piece was part of the magazine’s December 22 “Christmas” issue and included an article by Marilyn’s playwright husband, Arthur Miller, entitled “My Wife, Marilyn.”
Avedon found in Marilyn an easy subject to work with, “She gave more to the still camera than every other actress – every other woman – I had the opportunity to photograph…” He added that she was more patient with him and more demanding of herself than others and that she was more comfortable in front of the camera than when not posing.
For my tribute to the luminous star, Marilyn Monroe: Out of a Dream go to: http://eves-reel-life.blogspot.com/2012/08/marilyn-monroe-out-of-dream.html
Marilyn as Lillian Russell, turn-of-the-century American actress
Marilyn as Theda Bara, silent film star from 1914 – 1926
Marilyn as Clara Bow, the silent screen’s “It Girl”
Marilyn as blonde bombshell Jean Harlow
Marilyn as Marlene Dietrich
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fantastic!!!!!!!!! she could be whatever she wanted to be. there´s no hint of marilyn monroe in these pictures and that´s because she was really inside the character of other actresses. i don´t know why people still insist saying that she was not an actress. marilyn monroe was a character!!!!!!!!she should have won an oscar for playing the roll of marilyn monroe
Elias, She might even be called a genius for creating the archetypal Marilyn Monroe persona…
Truly wonderful post and glorious photographs. So glad I found your blog!
Thank you! Love your blog: Scents Memory (&, FYI, my current favorite fragrance is L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Poivre Piquant…)
Thank YOU Lady Eve! A trill to have you along for the ride.
Lanier
Reblogged this on Carleigh-Hepburn and commented:
Love these!
Pocas grandes actrices conseguirían interpretaciones tan sublimes como ella! Maravillosa!
Fabulous !!!!!!
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Privileged to be old enough to remember looking at the original magazine. Mesmerizing.
I am, too, Ken. And was so thrilled to find these images available online.
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What a treasure! Enjoyed every second of this.
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What an extraordinary discovery and here I thought as a life-long MM fan that I had seen every image of her that existed but wait these are not images of her they are BY her! Thanks so much Ms Lady Eve. I am so pleased that MM had the last laugh in attaining true immortality… (ask any generation)