Marilyn Monroe Centenary Celebrated as Creative Pioneer in Dual UK Exhibitions
Two prominent British organizations are reassessing the impact of Marilyn Monroe. Beginning June 1, the British Film Institute will present a two-month film season highlighting her contributions, which includes a re-release in the UK and Ireland of her last film, The Misfits, directed by John Huston. Kimberley Sheehan, the BFI's lead programmer, describes Monroe as the greatest star in cinema history. At the same time, the National Portrait Gallery will exhibit Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait from June to September, showcasing pieces by Andy Warhol and others, along with previously unseen photographs from Life magazine taken by Allan Grant just a day before her death in August 1962. Monroe's career ranged from Ladies of the Chorus in 1948 to Something's Got To Give in 1962, during which she founded her own production company.
Key facts
- Marilyn Monroe was born on June 1, 1926.
- The BFI film season runs from June 1 to the end of July.
- The National Portrait Gallery exhibition runs from June to September.
- Monroe set up her own production company, a first for a woman since the silent era.
- The Misfits (1961) is being re-released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland.
- Previously unseen photographs from Life magazine were taken at Monroe's Brentwood home in Los Angeles.
- Monroe's final unfinished project was Something's Got To Give (1962).
- Kimberley Sheehan is the BFI's lead programmer who curated the season.
Entities
Artists
- Marilyn Monroe
- Kimberley Sheehan
- Andy Warhol
- Pauline Boty
- Richard Avedon
- Allan Grant
- John Huston
- Arthur Miller
- Clark Gable
- Taylor Swift
- Madonna
- Margot Robbie
Institutions
- British Film Institute
- BFI
- National Portrait Gallery
- Life magazine
- BFI Distribution
Locations
- UK
- Ireland
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Nevada
- Brentwood