This is another book dealing with Marilyn’s movies, which seem to be generating a whole new audience with Some Like It Hot and Gentlemen Prefer Blonde’s both being shown in selected UK cinema’s over the last few months. It would seem Marilyn is as popular as any actress on our screens today.
With most of Marilyn’s films being freely available on DVD and other media this would seem like the perfect companion, reference source for fans requiring further facts. Each film is freshly reviewed by Timothy Knight and what strikes you most are the photos used to illustrated the book, they’re not the usual stills or costume test shots we’re used to – they’re images taken directly from the DVD source, which at times really work well and at others lacks a little in quality and clarity. On saying that it’s a refreshing approach and easily identifies the film.Throughout each film section there’s quotes from Marilyn and some of her associates and film reviews from magazines.
Each section has a small biography and picture of her leading men but for some reason none of her female co-stars are given this treatment, which is a shame.The book is well written and informative and is more focused on her films than her private life and how her legend has grown since. As a bonus there’s a DVD included of a film of the same name by Les Krantz, which explores Marilyn’s life in the media eye with newsreel footage and clips from the film trailers, which has running commentary, again it’s very light and respectful of Marilyn’s memory.
By Fraser Penney
