Never-before-seen Marilyn Monroe photos up for auction
Article publié le 16/03/2012
par Randee Dawn
en ligne sur todayentertainment.today.msnbc.msn.com
Makeup artist Allan "Whitey" Snyder had a unique and complicated connection to Marilyn Monroe: Friends and co-workers, the two worked together from an early screen test in 1946 until her death, and she even asked him for an extraordinary favor once. Now, Snyder's estate (Whitey died in 1994) has put up for auction many photos he took of Monroe in a professional and personal capacity over the years -- many of which have never been seen.
"It's spectacular," said Martin Nolan of Julien's Auction House, who brought several of the photos going up for auction on March 31 to the TODAY studio Friday, and spoke to Matt Lauer. "He was involved with her on the set and off the set, Matt, so he had amazing, privileged access."
Many of the photos were taken in the 1940s and 1950s and show Monroe smiling, giving her all to the camera while on location for some of her well-known and lesser-known films. Reportedly, Snyder would photograph Monroe to calm her down when she was feeling jittery.
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"The camera loved Marilyn Monroe, but Marilyn loved the camera," said Nolan. "When the camera was rolling she became Marilyn Monroe. She became distracted from her own issues and just played the role. She loved the camera."
But it wasn't all about fun and games: Once, Monroe asked Snyder that if she died before he did, would he be the makeup artist for her body. Making a dark joke, Snyder told her, "Sure, drop off the body while it's still warm and I'll do it." Proving Monroe had her own appreciation for that kind of humor, she bought him a gold Tiffany money clip -- which Nolan brought into the studio, and which is also up for auction -- that is engraved: "Dear Whitey, While I'm still warm, Marilyn."
"That's gross," said Lauer, after Nolan showed the clip. "I'm glad you told the story and not me."
Ultimately, Snyder did Monroe's makeup for her funeral, and was one of her pallbearers; other items in the auction include memorabilia from his estate including a clipping showing him carrying her coffin.
For the auction, not just the photos are going up for sale, Nolan noted: In some cases, the rights to the photos are also up for sale -- the buyer will be able to reap royalties from republishing them. It's a good investment, said Nolan: "(Marilyn memorabilia) continue to increase year over year, it's unbelievable. ... She's still relevant today, and of course that adds value. She's a global icon."
To see some of the items up for auction, be sure to click on the slideshow above.
1/ Classic Beauty
Marilyn Monroe smiles for a photo signed to the son of her makeup artist, Allan "Whitey" Snyder. The autograph reads "To Ronnie/ Love & Kisses / and Oh your Dad! / Marilyn Monroe." Snyder was an established makeup artist when he first worked with Monroe her 1946 screen test, and went on to become her on-screen and personal makeup artist. A collection of Snyder's memorabilia is part of a Hollywood Legends auction put on by Julien's Auctions on March 31 and April 1.
2/ Pretty in pink
An unnamed, undated photo from the collection of Monroe's makeup artist, Allan "Whitey" Snyder.
3/ Life's a beach
An unnamed, undated photo from the collection of Monroe's makeup artist, Allan "Whitey" Snyder.
4/ Hat's off to her
Monroe poses on the Alberta, Canada, set of 1954's "River of No Return." The photo was taken by her makeup artist, Allan "Whitey" Snyder.
5/ Slide rules
Two color transparency slides taken on the set of 1953's "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."
6/ Open air
Monroe poses on the Alberta, Canada set of 1954's "River of No Return." The photo was taken by her makeup artist, Allan "Whitey" Snyder.
7/ Deep thoughts
Monroe in a photo on the set of her final film, 1962's "Something's Got to Give," which was never finished.
8/ Sunshine smile
Monroe poses with co-star Robert Mitchum on the Alberta, Canada, set of 1954's "River of No Return."
9/ Bearly there
Monroe poses with some Canadian bears on the set of 1954's "River of No Return."
10/ Law abiding
Monroe poses with a Mountie (possibly just an actor) on the set of 1954's "River of No Return."
11/ Smiling through pain
Monroe poses on the Alberta, Canada, set of "River of No Return." The actress was injured after slipping on a wet rock during filming, and had her ankle bound up.
12/ Preferential treatment
Snyder applies makeup to Monroe on the set of 1953's "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."
13/ Sheer fabulousness
Snyder applies Monroe's makeup on the set of 1960's "Let's Make Love."
14/ Exit lines
A Western Union telegram sent to Snyder by Monroe after she was fired from the film "Something's Got to Give" in 1962. The film was never finished and was her last work prior to her death on Aug. 5 that same year.
15/ A little princess
A color slide taken on the set of "The Prince and the Showgirl" of Monroe in 1957, taken by Snyder. The making of this film was documented in 2010's "My Week with Marilyn."
16/ A thousand words
A collection of Monroe-related items comprising nine books about her life, 10 magazines featuring the actress, an LP record of the soundtrack of her 1960 film "Let's Make Love," a framed color photo of her and one Marilyn Monroe Limited Edition Commemorative Silver Trading Disc.
17/ On her way
Monroe posing in a test photo taken by Snyder on the set of her final film, 1962's "Something's Got to Give," which was never finished.
18/ My captain
Tony Randall signed this album and gifted it to Monroe from his 1958 musical, "Oh! Captain."
19/ Setside setup
Snyder applies Monroe's makeup on the set of 1960's "Let's Make Love."
20/ Business card
Monroe posing in a test photo taken by Snyder on the set of her final film, 1962's "Something's Got to Give."
21/ Giving her all
Monroe poses in another wardrobe in a test photo on the set of "Something's Got to Give."
22/ Under there
Monroe poses in undergarments in a test photo on the set of "Something's Got to Give."
23/ Forever in blue jeans
Monroe poses in a denim ensemble in a test photo on the set of "Something's Got to Give."
24/ Big smile
An unnamed, undated photo from the collection of makeup artist Allan "Whitey" Snyder.
25/ Last requests
Snyder appears in a black and white photograph as one of Monroe's pallbearers, along with a letter from Westwood Memorial Park thanking him for his cosmetic work and for being that pallbearer. Behind the letter and photo is an article showing Snyder with Monroe.
26/ Out in the cold
A color slide of Monroe, photographed on the set of 1956's "Bus Stop."
27/ Close your eyes
A color slide of Monroe, photographed on the set of 1956's "Bus Stop."
The actress requested that if anything ever happened to her that Snyder do her makeup for her funeral, too.
28/ Taking a rest
A color slide of Monroe taken on the set of "The Prince and the Showgirl" in 1957.
