lot n°582: MARILYN MONROE OWNED ERNO LASZLO BOTTLE
MARILYN MONROE OWNED ERNO LASZLO BOTTLE
A bottle of Marilyn Monroe owned Erno Laszlo lotion contained in a plastic bottle with black cap that reads “Laszlo.” Some of the beauty product remains.
4 1/2 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 112, “Fine Manuscripts,” Christie’s, Los Angeles, Sale number 9814, September 20, 2001
Estimate: $800 - $1 200 A bottle of Marilyn Monroe owned Erno Laszlo lotion contained in a plastic bottle with black cap that reads “Laszlo.” Some of the beauty product remains.
4 1/2 inchesA bottle of Marilyn Monroe owned Erno Laszlo lotion contained in a plastic bottle with black cap that reads “Laszlo.” Some of the beauty product remains.
4 1/2 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 112, “Fine Manuscripts,” Christie’s, Los Angeles, Sale number 9814, September 20, 2001
Estimate: $800 - $1 200

lot n°583: MARILYN MONROE ERNO LASZLO BEAUTY PRODUCT
A jar of Erno Laszlo cream owned by Marilyn Monroe. The Active pHelityl cream, partially used, comes with original box.
2 1/4 by 3 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 252, "Property from the estate of Marilyn Monroe," Julien's Auctions, Los Angeles, June 4, 2005
Estimate: $800 - $1 200

 

lot n°584: MARILYN MONROE MASCARA
A tube of Helena Rubinstein brand mascara in a shade of brown owned by Marilyn Monroe.
4 3/4 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 275, "Property from the estate of Marilyn Monroe," Julien's Auctions, Los Angeles, June 4, 2005
Estimate: $800 - $1 200

lot n°585: MARILYN MONROE EYELINER
   A Marilyn Monroe owned Maybelline eyeliner pencil in the shade "velvet black."
3 1/8 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 275, "Property from the estate of Marilyn Monroe," Julien's Auctions, Los Angeles, June 4, 2005
Estimate: $800 - $1 200
  

lot n°586: MARILYN MONROE MAKEUP BAG
A Marilyn Monroe makeup bag of black checked fabric in a rectangle shape. This item has Christie's tags attached that indicate it was intended to be sold in the 1999 auction but was returned to the estate and subsequently sold by Julien's Auctions. Monroe can be seen with this bag in her makeup kit in the 1955 photograph by Eve Arnold and in images within the book Marilyn Monroe by Eve Arnold.
5 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 275, "Property from the estate of Marilyn Monroe," Julien's Auctions, Los Angeles, June 4, 2005
Estimate: $2 000 - $3 000 

lot n°570: JOHN F. KENNEDY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FILM
        An 8mm film reel of clips from the May 19, 1962, John F. Kennedy 45th birthday celebration held at Madison Square Garden. The eight-minute film shows clips of the venue, performers, and attendees, including John F. Kennedy; Marilyn Monroe, who appears for approximately 30 seconds; Robert Kennedy; Maria Callas; Henry Fonda; Jack Benny; Peter Lawford, who hosted the event; and Lyndon B. Johnson among others. The film was transferred from its original tin reel to a plastic reel. Accompanied by a DVD of the footage.
Note: This lot is being sold without copyright or any legal releases. The buyer must apply to the appropriate parties to obtain such rights as desired.
Reel, 5 3/4 inches
PROVENANCE Lot 41, "Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, New York, Sale number 1391, June 24, 2004
Estimate: $5 000 - $6 000 
 
  

 

lot n°554: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRE DE DIENES
 A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe, taken in 1945 by Andre de Dienes. Gelatin silver print, printed circa 1960. Photographer's stamp on the verso. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from The Estate of Andre de Dienes.
20 by 16 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600 
 

lot n°555: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRE DE DIENES
 A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe, taken in 1945 by Andre de Dienes. Gelatin silver print, printed circa 1960. Photographer's stamp on the verso. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from The Estate of Andre de Dienes.
20 by 16 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600  
 

lot n°556: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRE DE DIENES
A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe, taken in 1946 by Andre de Dienes. Gelatin silver print, printed circa 1960. Photographer's stamp on the verso. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from The Estate of Andre de Dienes. 20 by 16 inches
Estimate: $600 - $800
 

lot n°557: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRE DE DIENES
A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe, taken in 1949 by Andre de Dienes. Gelatin silver print, printed circa 1960. Photographer's stamp on the verso. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from The Estate of Andre de Dienes. 20 by 16 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600 
 

 lot n°558: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRE DE DIENES
      A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe, taken in 1949 by Andre de Dienes. Gelatin silver print, printed circa 1960. Photographer's stamp on the verso. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from The Estate of Andre de Dienes.
20 by 16 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600

 lot n°559: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRE DE DIENES
      A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe, taken in 1953 by Andre de Dienes. Gelatin silver print, printed circa 1960. Photographer's stamp on the verso. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from The Estate of Andre de Dienes.
20 by 16 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600 

 lot n°560: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRE DE DIENES
      A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe, taken in 1953 by Andre de Dienes. Gelatin silver print, printed circa 1960. Photographer's stamp on the verso. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from The Estate of Andre de Dienes.
20 by 16 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600
 

lot n°561: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDRE DE DIENES
      A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe, taken in 1953 by Andre de Dienes. Gelatin silver print, printed circa 1960. Photographer's stamp on the verso. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from The Estate of Andre de Dienes.
20 by 16 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600

lot n°570: MARILYN MONROE STILL FROM SOME LIKE IT HOT
        A black and white still of Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane Kowalczyk in Some Like It Hot (MGM/UA, 1959). Gelatin silver print, mounted.
10 by 8 inches
Estimate: $100 - $200
 

lot n°572: MARILYN MONROE SOME LIKE IT HOT CONTACT SHEET
        A black and white contact sheet of nine candid images of Marilyn Monroe on the set of Some Like It Hot (MGM/UA, 1959). Monroe is seen in the images speaking on the telephone in her bathrobe with actress Beverly Wills.
8 by 10 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 150, "Pop Culture: Film & Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, London, Sale number 6214, November 23, 2011
Estimate: $400 - $600
 

lot n°573: MARILYN MONROE SOME LIKE IT HOT CONTACT SHEET
        A black and white contact sheet of nine candid images of Marilyn Monroe from the film Some Like It Hot (MGM/UA, 1959). In these images, Monroe is modeling her negligee from the film.
8 by 10 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 150, "Pop Culture: Film & Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, London, Sale number 6214, November 23, 2011
Estimate: $400 - $600
 

lot n°574: MARILYN MONROE SOME LIKE IT HOT CONTACT SHEET
        A black and white contact sheet of 12 candid images of Marilyn Monroe on the set of Some Like It Hot (MGM/UA, 1959).
8 by 10 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 150, "Pop Culture: Film & Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, London, Sale number 6214, November 23, 2011
Estimate: $400 - $600
 

lot n°575: MARILYN MONROE SOME LIKE IT HOT CONTACT SHEET
        Two black and white contact sheets of 18 images of Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and the rest of Sweet Sue's All-Girl Orchestra on the set of Some Like It Hot (MGM/UA, 1959). Director Billy Wilder is also seen in some of the shots with Monroe.
8 by 10 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 150, "Pop Culture: Film & Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, London, Sale number 6214, November 23, 2011
Estimate: $600 - $800
 

 lot n°576: MARILYN MONROE SOME LIKE IT HOT CONTACT SHEET
       A black and white contact sheet of nine images of Marilyn Monroe from Some Like It Hot (MGM/UA, 1959). Monroe is wearing her black beaded dress from the film.
8 by 10 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 150, "Pop Culture: Film & Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, London, Sale number 6214, November 23, 2011
Estimate: $400 - $600

 lot n°577: MARILYN MONROE SOME LIKE IT HOT CONTACT SHEET
       A black and white contact sheet of nine candid behind-the-scenes images of Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis on the set of Some Like It Hot (MGM/UA, 1959).
8 by 10 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 150, "Pop Culture: Film & Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, London, Sale number 6214, November 23, 2011
Estimate: $400 - $600
 

lot n°578: MARILYN MONROE SOME LIKE IT HOT CONTACT SHEET
       A black and white contact sheet of nine candid images of Marilyn Monroe on the set of Some Like It Hot (MGM/UA, 1959). Monroe is seen looking into a train berth.
8 by 10 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 150, "Pop Culture: Film & Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, London, Sale number 6214, November 23, 2011
Estimate: $400 - $600 

lot n°579: MARILYN MONROE SOME LIKE IT HOT CONTACT SHEET
      A black and white contact sheet of nine images of Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis on the set of Some Like It Hot (MGM/UA, 1959) on location at Coronado Beach outside Hotel del Coronado in California.
8 by 10 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 150, "Pop Culture: Film & Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, London, Sale number 6214, November 23, 2011
Estimate: $400 - $600
 

lot n°580: MARILYN MONROE SOME LIKE IT HOT CONTACT SHEETS
      Two black and white contact sheets of 18 images of Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon on the set of Some Like It Hot (MGM/UA, 1959). The images include candid shots and staged photographs of Monroe and Curtis kissing on the steps of the Hotel del Coronado.
8 by 10 inches
PROVENANCE Partial Lot 150, "Pop Culture: Film & Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's, London, Sale number 6214, November 23, 2011 
Estimate: $600 - $800 

lot n°587: MARILYN MONROE THE MISFITS NEGATIVES AND COPYRIGHT
     A group of five negatives of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits (United Artists/Seven Arts Productions, 1961). The Misfits , written by Monroe's then husband, Arthur Miller, was directed by John Huston and starred Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift. It was the final completed film appearance for both Gable and Monroe. The photographs offered here were taken on the Nevada set of the film by Thomas Kaminski. The five images in this lot show Monroe on the set with various cast and crew members, including one photograph with Arthur Miller. Rights to these images will be transferred to the winning bidder.
Negatives, 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches each
Estimate: $1 000 - $2 000

lot n°588: MARILYN MONROE AND CLARK GABLE STILL
       A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable on location during the filming of The Misfits (United Artists/Seven Arts Productions, 1961). Stamped "Propiedad de Tito Franco" with production information on verso.
6 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches
Estimate: $200 - $300

lot n°589: MARILYN MONROE THE MISFITS NEGATIVES AND COPYRIGHT
     A group of four negatives of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits (United Artists/Seven Arts Productions, 1961). The Misfits , written by Monroe's then husband, Arthur Miller, was directed by John Huston and starred Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift. It was the final completed film appearance for both Gable and Monroe. The photographs offered here were taken on the Nevada set of the film by Thomas Kaminski. The four images in this lot show Monroe on the set wearing a bathing suit and towel with her hairdresser and other crew. Together with a black and white photograph of Monroe on the set. Rights to these images will be transferred to the winning bidder.
Negatives, 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches
Estimate: $1 000 - $2 000

lot n°590: MARILYN MONROE THE MISFITS NEGATIVES AND COPYRIGHT
      A negative of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits (United Artists/Seven Arts Productions, 1961). The Misfits , written by Monroe's then husband, Arthur Miller, was directed by John Huston and starred Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift. It was the final completed film appearance for both Gable and Monroe. The photograph offered here was taken on the Nevada set of the film by Thomas Kaminski. The image in this lot shows Monroe seated on the ground with various cast and crew members behind her. Rights to this image will be transferred to the winning bidder.
Negative, 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches
Estimate: $1 000 - $2 000

lot n°591: MARILYN MONROE THE MISFITS NEGATIVES AND COPYRIGHT
     A group of three negatives of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits (United Artists/Seven Arts Productions, 1961). The Misfits, written by Monroe's then husband, Arthur Miller, was directed by John Huston and starred Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift. It was the final completed film appearance for both Gable and Monroe. The photographs offered here were taken on the Nevada set of the film by Thomas Kaminski. The three images in this lot show Monroe on horseback. Rights to these images will be transferred to the winning bidder.
Negatives, 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches
Estimate: $1 000 - $2 000

lot n°592: MARILYN MONROE THE MISFITS NEGATIVES AND COPYRIGHT
     Two negatives of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits (United Artists/Seven Arts Productions, 1961). The Misfits , written by Monroe's then husband, Arthur Miller, was directed by John Huston and starred Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift. It was the final completed film appearance for both Gable and Monroe. The photographs offered here were taken on the Nevada set of the film by Thomas Kaminski. The two images in this lot show Monroe wearing sunglasses on the set with various cast and crew members. Rights to these images will be transferred to the winning bidder.
Negatives, 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches
Estimate: $1 000 - $2 000
 

lot n°593: MARILYN MONROE THE MISFITS NEGATIVES AND COPYRIGHT
    A negative of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits (United Artists/Seven Arts Productions, 1961). The Misfits , written by Monroe's then husband, Arthur Miller, was directed by John Huston and starred Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift. It was the final completed film appearance for both Gable and Monroe. The photograph offered here was taken on the Nevada set of the film by Thomas Kaminski. The image in this lot shows Monroe seated among cameras on the set wearing jeans and cowboy boots. Rights to this image will be transferred to the winning bidder.
Negative, 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches
Estimate: $1 000 - $2 000
 

lot n°594: MARILYN MONROE THE MISFITS NEGATIVES AND COPYRIGHT
   Two negatives of Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Misfits (United Artists/Seven Arts Productions, 1961). The Misfits , written by Monroe's then husband, Arthur Miller, was directed by John Huston and starred Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift. It was the final completed film appearance for both Gable and Monroe. The photographs offered here were taken on the Nevada set of the film by Thomas Kaminski. The two images in this lot show Monroe in a bikini walking on the sand and coming out of the water. Rights to these images will be transferred to the winning bidder.
Negatives, 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches
Estimate: $1 000 - $2 000
  

 lot n°595: MARILYN MONROE AND CLARK GABLE THE MISFITS NEGATIVES AND COPYRIGHT
   A group of 38 negatives of Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and others on the set of The Misfits (United Artists/Seven Arts Productions, 1961). The Misfits, written by Monroe's then husband, Arthur Miller, was directed by John Huston and starred Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift. It was the final completed film appearance for both Gable and Monroe. The photographs offered here were taken on the Nevada set of the film by Thomas Kaminski. The images in this lot show Monroe, Gable, and other cast and crew on the set and filming various scenes, including one with horses. Together with five contact sheets of these images. Rights to these images will be transferred to the winning bidder.
Negatives, 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 inches
Estimate: $1 000 - $2 000

lot n°526: MARILYN MONROE YEARBOOK
  A Chiefton 1942 Yearbook from University High School in Los Angeles. Marilyn Monroe appears on page 48 as a tenth grade student. Some notations written in pencil within the book by the student who owned the book.
Estimate: $600 - $800

lot n°527: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPHS AND SLIDES BY DAVID CONOVER
 A group of four color photographs and two Kodachrome transparency slides of Marilyn Monroe, taken by David Conover in 1945. These photographs represent some of Monroe's earliest modeling images. Photographs printed circa 1987.
Photogaphs, 10 by 8 inches
Estimate: $300 - $500

lot n°528: MARILYN MONROE PIN-UP POSTER
Color lithograph poster showing an almost life-size full-length image of Marilyn Monroe in a bath suit from a photograph taken in the 1940s. Reads at bottom right " 'Marilyn Monroe Pin-Up,'/write: Pin-Ups, Dept. X, Box 86, Boston Mass./ Printed in U.S.A."
62 by 21 1/2 inches
Estimate: $600 - $800 
 

lot n°547: MARILYN MONROE GOLDEN DREAMS CALENDAR
A Marilyn Monroe "Golden Dreams" calendar from 1953. The calendar reads "Souvenir of New York City."
17 by 11 inches, framedcc
Estimate:  $200 - $400

lot n°550: MARILYN MONROE LAS VEGAS PHOTOGRAPH
 A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe circa 1947. The photograph is stamped on verso "Ullom Studio Photo Las Vegas, Nev." The reason for Monroe's appearance in Nevada is explained by Monroe's former boyfriend, Bill Pursel, in the book Marilyn Monroe : Private and Undisclosed by Michelle Morgan. Pursel explains that Monroe was in Las Vegas for a show at the Flamingo Hotel. Monroe is seen in the photograph, second from right, in a one-piece bathing suit. The photograph was obtained from the estate of a former Flamingo Hotel housekeeping manager.
8 by 10 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600

lot n°562: MARILYN MONROE NEGATIVES AND COPYRIGHT
   A group of five negatives of Marilyn Monroe taken circa 1952 by photographer William Kotler and sold with the copyrights. During the filming of How to Marry a Millionaire (20th Century Fox, 1953), Monroe posed for publicity photographs at Greenacres, the home of actor and photographer Harold Lloyd. It was there that Kotler took these photographs showing Monroe in various poses, reclining on a lounge chair poolside. Rights to these images will be transferred to the winning bidder.
4 by 5 inches each
Estimate: $2 000 - $3 000
  

lot n°563: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY FRANK WORTH
   A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe on the set of How to Marry a Millionaire (20th Century Fox, 1953), taken by Frank Worth circa 1953. Gelatin silver print, printed later in a limited edition. Embossed in margin with Frank Worth Estate copyright stamp and numbered 100/195.
16 by 20 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600 
 

lot n°564: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY PHILIPPE HALSMAN
   "Marilyn Monroe Laughing," taken by Philippe Halsman in 1954. Gelatin silver print, printed 1978. Artist's blind stamp lower right, titled and dated in pencil on verso, artist's copyright stamp on verso.
14 by 11 inches; 20 1/2 by 16 1/2 inches
Estimate: $1 000 - $2 000
 

lot n°565: MARILYN MONROE INSCRIBED MAGAZINE COVER
  A Marilyn Monroe signed magazine cover from the August 1954 issue of Modern Photography. Inscribed by Monroe "To Roy Green/ Love & Kisses/ Marilyn Monroe."
15 1/2 by 12 3/4 inches, framed
Estimate: $3 000 - $5 000 
  

lot n°566: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH BY FRANK WORTH
  A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe, taken by Frank Worth circa 1949. Gelatin silver print, printed later in a limited edition. Embossed in margin with Frank Worth Estate copyright stamp and numbered 100/195.
20 by 16 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600
 

lot n°567: MARILYN MONROE SIGNED CUT SHEET AND CANDID PHOTOGRAPHS
  A scrapbook containing original vintage candid black and white photographs of the cast on the set of River of No Return (20th Century Fox, 1954) accompanied by three cut sheets with the signatures of Marilyn Monroe, Robert Mitchum, and Rory Calhoun.
7 1/2 by 10 inches
Estimate: $1 000 - $2 000

lot n°568:  MARILYN MONROE GROUP OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND NEGATIVES
   A group comprised of five photographs and five copy negatives of Marilyn Monroe, from the archive of Monroe's makeup artist, Allan "Whitey" Snyder. Taken by various photographers at varying sets and locations.
Largest, 8 by 10 inches
PROVENANCE From the estate of Allan "Whitey" Snyder
Estimate: $200 - $400
 
 

lot n°571: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH
  A candid black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe while filming The Seven Year Itch (20th Century Fox, 1955). The photograph was taken by an unknown photographer on September 15, 1954, outside the Trans-Lux Theatre on 52nd and Lexington in New York City. It is believed that this photograph has never before been published.
5 by 3 1/4 inches
Estimate: $400 - $600

lot n°597: MARILYN MONROE PHOTOGRAPH FROM THE SET OF SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE
  A black and white photograph of Marilyn Monroe taken by Lawrence Schiller. The photograph shows Monroe in the pool on the set of Something's Got to Give (20th Century, 1962). Stamped on verso with copyright information as well as a sticker from The New Ingot Company.
10 by 6 3/4 inches
PROVENANCE Lot 359, "Summer Entertainment Sale," Julien's Auctions, Las Vegas, June 21, 2008
Estimate: $800 - $1 200
 

The Last Sitting
day 1

Le 23 juin 1962, première séance photos avec Bert Stern, dans la suite 261 du Bel Air Hotel de Los Angeles, transformée en studio. 
Portraits couleurs de Marilyn Monroe avec un collier de perles. 

 ****  Pearls Sitting 3 **** 
  
 
  
    
 
 

>> Photos signées par Stern
 
 
 
   

>> Planche Contact
 

> dans la presse
   
 

Sept ans de réflexion
Captures

13ème partie des captures du film 

Scène coupée

Avec des plans différents (figurant dans la bande-annonce)

L'artiste plasticien Xanderlande a livré une sublime interpretation de la présence de Marilyn avec cette sculpture, la fameuse robe blanche du film "Sept ans de réflexion" figée en plein mouvement, intemporelle et vivante, avec ce travail autour de la réminiscence et de l'objet.
Une installation qui fut exposée pendant le Festival de Cannes 2012, dans la cour d'honneur du grand hôtel chic Majestic, jusqu'au 31 Mai 2012.

> sources images:
blog lavilavaly.skyrock.com / blog facebook Hotel Majestic

De Norma Jeane au mythe du cinéma, deux nouveaux livres sur Marilyn Monroe
publié le 10 octobre 2012
par AFP - en ligne sur lepoint.fr

Plus de cinquante ans après sa mort, Marilyn Monroe suscite toujours les passions, celles de deux journalistes-écrivains, Henry-Jean Servat, auteur de "Marilyn, la légende", et Annick Halimi, qui raconte "les secrets" de la star d'Hollywood dans "Marilyn Monroe à 20 ans".

Plus de cinquante ans après sa mort, Marilyn Monroe suscite toujours les passions, celles de deux journalistes-écrivains, Henry-Jean Servat, auteur de "Marilyn, la légende", et Annick Halimi, qui raconte "les secrets" de la star d'Hollywood dans "Marilyn Monroe à 20 ans".

• "Marilyn, la légende", aux éditions Hors Collection, est un ouvrage grand format, préfacé par un autre mythe du cinéma, Brigitte Bardot. L'actrice française raconte n'avoir rencontré Marilyn qu'une seule fois, (en octobre 1956, à Londres, selon Henry-Jean Servat). Mais "elle m'a séduite en 30 secondes. Il émanait d'elle une fragilité gracieuse, une douceur espiègle, je ne l'oublierai jamais", écrit Brigitte Bardot.

Henry-Jean Servat, qui fit de la star américaine son sujet de thèse universitaire, a écrit son livre d'une plume passionnée.
L'ouvrage, abondamment illustré de photos de l'actrice, se présente sous forme de cent questions-réponses: "Marilyn a-t-elle subi des opérations de chirurgie esthétique?" (seulement "une légère opération du nez et du menton"), "Marilyn portait-elle des soutiens-gorges?" (non), "Marilyn a-t-elle rencontré la reine d'Angleterre? (oui)...

L'auteur a également recueilli les confidences de Carole Amiel, la dernière compagne d'Yves Montand, qui fut l'amant de Marilyn. Même après leur aventure et le retour de Montand en France auprès de Simone Signoret, lui et Marilyn se sont revus, affirme Carole Amiel. "Marilyn lui a écrit des lettres que je garde et qui se terminaient par +je t'aime" et "lorsqu'il est parti tourner au Japon (...) Montand s'est arrêté à Los Angeles. Marilyn l'attendait dans une limousine avec du caviar (...) mais pour lui, il n'était pas question de repartir. Il avait retrouvé Simone", poursuit-elle.

• Jannick Alimi, journaliste au Parisien/Aujourd'hui en France, s'est elle penchée sur "les secrets" des débuts de Marilyn. "Marilyn Monroe à 20 ans" (éditions Au Diable Vauvert), raconte les débuts très difficiles d'une starlette prénommée Norma Jeane, sans père, violée par un voisin à 13 ans, violentée par sa grand-mère, abandonnée par sa mère enfermée dans un hôpital psychiatrique, mariée à 16 ans pour échapper à l'orphelinat. Mais la jeune Norma "ne renonce pas" et continue, malgré les vicissitudes, à afficher "le sourire et l'optimisme de la jeunesse", écrit Jannick Alimi.

Fondé sur des confessions intimes, des fragments d'oeuvres peu connues et de grandes interviews de l'actrice, ce portrait montre une personnalité complexe, loin de la caricature qui en est souvent faite.

- "Marilyn, la légende", Henry-Jean Servat, éditions Hors Collection, 176 pages, 35 euros
- "Marilyn Monroe à 20 ans, les secrets de ses débuts", Jannick Alimi, Editions Au Diable Vauvert, 168 pages, 12,50 euros.