Marilyn Monroe, who died exactly 50 years ago, would have turned 86 years old today, so the iconic actress will be remembered with both a film and a new exhibit at the Hollywood Museum, which promises the largest display of authentic Marilyn memorabilia in the world.
This summer, the El Portal Theatre will honor Monroe by renaming its Forum Theatre the Monroe/Forum Theatre. The theatre is also honoring this famous movie icon with the internationally acclaimed stage production of Marilyn: Forever Blonde starring Sunny Thompson at the El Portal Mainstage, August 2 – 5, 2012. Read more:. Monore has many connections to the area, including having lived in Toluca Lake for a time and also .
Friday, the Malibu Inn will host a tribute concert in honor of Marilyn Monroe to celebrate her birthday next week. The party is set for 8 p.m. Friday, June 1 at the , 22969 Pacific Coast Highway, according to organizers. Check for more information.
"Marilyn Monroe: The Exhibit" will be on display at the Hollywood Museum on Highland Avenue south of Hollywood Boulevard until Sept. 2. The exhibit also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the actress' death on Aug. 5, 1962.
"Fans of all ages flock to Hollywood from around the world each year to honor Marilyn's life and memory," said Donelle Dadigan, the museum founder and president. "The Hollywood Museum is proud to host this definitive and meaningful Marilyn retrospective."
According to the museum, the exhibit will be highlighted by never-before- seen pictures taken by George Barris, the last photographer to have a session with the icon.
The exhibit also includes the million-dollar dress Monroe wore on her honeymoon with Joe DiMaggio and during USO shows in Korea, film costumes from "The Prince and the Showgirl" and "There's No Business Like Show Business," clothing from her personal wardrobe, private documents, cosmetics and annotated film scripts.
Meanwhile, Grauman's Chinese Theatre will play host to a weeklong film festival beginning Friday night with a screening of "Some Like It Hot." The opening night of the festival, co-sponsored Playboy magazine, will also feature a Marilyn Monroe look-alike contest.
Other films being screened during the festival include "How to Marry a Millionaire," "The Seven Year Itch," "The Misfits" and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."
Marilyn also had many connections to Studio City and North Hollywood. Many of the stars lived in the Studio City area. In her earlier years, she made some movies at Republic Studios, now CBS Studio CenterShe loved going to the movies at the theater that is now the BookStar, and had an apartment in Toluca Lake. Two close friends, Bebe Goddard, her half sister, and Evelyn Moriarty her stand-in in the last four of her movies, also lived in North Hollywood.
