Birth Of A Goddess

Marilyn - The Early Years

 

Too many films about the 20th Century’s ultimate Screen Goddess focus on the miserable end to which her short life came. Not this film which begins with Romanian photographer André De Diennes’ discovery of the young Norma Jean Baker as his photographic muse on a road trip through nature.

Then traces her chrysalis-like transformation through beauty contests and publicity stunts into Marilyn, her early bit parts in Dangerous Years and The Asphalt Jungle.

 

It continues with her breakthrough in Niagara, her close relationship with her acting coach Susan Strasberg and her marriage to Joe Di Maggio. It ends in divorce when he assaults her after watching the famous “skirt blowing up” scene on the streets of New York in The Seven Year Itch.

 

She takes consolation with the young President of her fan club, forming her own production company 5 years before Lucille Ball which led to perhaps her finest performance in Bus Stop. It tells of her meeting with Arthur Miller, the problems with Laurence Oliver on the Prince and The Showgirl and her comic triumph in Some Like It Hot. This Marilyn is a winner all the way.