From toddler to temptress
Newly discovered photographs show the making of an American idol: how Norma Jeane Baker grew up to become Marilyn Monroe
August 18, 2007
From The Sunday Times
By Mark Edwards
Poor little Norma Jeane - a lost little girl, unloved, unwanted, abandoned by a crazy mother, dumped on foster parents. Was it any wonder she grew up into the troubled woman we know as Marilyn Monroe? Actually, yes. As these rare images show, the reality of Marilyn’s early life was far sunnier than we have been led to believe. Far from being neglected, she was well looked after. As her foster mother said later, “We treated her like our own child because we loved her.”
The young Norma Jeane Baker showed few signs of the dazzling beauty that eventually made her one of the 20th century’s most talked-about women. As these previously unpublished photographs show, she was an ordinary Californian girl who went to the beach, played with animals, married young and got herself a job at a factory. But she had extraordinary ambition. And then Hollywood got hold of her.
The Monroe we know was moulded, manufactured and processed by the Hollywood studios. The cinema tycoons even made a claim on her past: it was important, from a marketing perspective, that the sex siren be portrayed as an impoverished urchin. Marilyn was a red-hot Cinderella, plucked from a near-destitute childhood. The truth is actually more prosaic.
Norma Jeane Mortenson was born on June 1, 1926. Her father played no part in her life – some believe him to be Charles Stanley Gifford, one of the bosses at Consolidated Film Industries who had an affair with her mother, Gladys – and she took her surname from her mother’s husband, Martin Edward Mortensen (her mother changed Mortensen to Mortenson on her birth certificate). Gladys left Mortensen in 1925 and Marilyn was fostered out to the Bolender family, who lived in the blue-collar LA suburb of Hawthorne.
Contrary to the stories later put out by the Hollywood machine, Norma Jeane enjoyed a close relationship with both her mother and her foster parents; as these pictures show, her childhood was full of happy moments playing on the beach and in the fields.
Gladys, meanwhile, worked in Hollywood as a film cutter, and the attendant razzmatazz filtered down into their otherwise ordinary lives. At the Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service in 1932, Norma Jeane and dozens of her classmates formed a choir dressed in black and then white robes – pure showbiz. Yet not all was glossy contentment.
In 1933, Gladys arrived at the Bolenders to reclaim her daughter. Norma Jeane hid in a cupboard with the Bolender children, but Gladys insisted they should move in together. Financially, things were looking up – she presented her daughter with a white baby grand piano that Norma Jeane/Marilyn was to treasure for the rest of her life.
Within months, however, Norma Jeane’s world had shattered. Already troubled by the suicide of her grandfather, Gladys received another body blow when she learnt of her brother’s death from tuberculosis. The two events sent Norma Jeane’s mother over the edge; in her autobiography, My Story, Marilyn describes her mother being dragged off “screaming and laughing” to an asylum.
Her subsequent rootlessness became an imprimatur of much of Marilyn’s later life. She was moved from a succession of foster homes to an orphanage; not for the last time, she believed that marriage might offer at least a temporary escape from her unhappiness.
Her first marriage was to a local boy, James Dougherty. Norma Jeane was just 16, naive and unworldly. Neither was she housewife material – her cooking was catastrophic, and on one occasion Dougherty came home to find his wife trying to persuade a cow to come into the house so that it could get out of the rain.
The marriage soon foundered, as Norma Jeane made her first steps, initially into modelling and then on to Hollywood. The rest is well documented; the husbands, the lovers, the dependency, the squalid ending in Brentwood. Was she ever as happy as she seemed in those sun-kissed pictures from the 1920s and ’30s?
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>> descriptifs / légendes des photos:
1/Norma Jeane on Catalina Island off the coast of California, where she was living with her first husband, Jim Dougherty. The couple moved to the island around 1943, the year after they were married. Dougherty once described their life there as being 'very normal'. 'Norma cooked and cleaned and I was the breadwinner'. Photograph from Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, by Michelle Morgan, published by Constable & Robinson on September 13, at £30. It is available at the BooksFirst price of £27, including p&p. Tel: 0870 165 8585
2/Norma Jeane (right) and two other children. Her unsettled childhood made it hard for her to make friends. This got worse after her mother suffered a mental breakdown. On one occasion, when a boy tried to talk to her, his friend warned: 'Don't bother her. She's just like her mother...crazy'. Photograph from Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, by Michelle Morgan, published by Constable & Robinson on September 13, at £30. It is available at the BooksFirst price of £27, including p&p. Tel: 0870 165 8585
3/Norma Jeane outside the home of her much-loved foster mother Ana Lower. She moved here in September 1938. Photograph from Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, by Michelle Morgan, ublished by Constable & Robinson on September 13, at £30. It is available at the BooksFirst price of £27, including p&p. Tel: 0870 165 8585
4/Norma Jeane crouches beside a woman believed to be her foster mother Ana Lower, or 'Aunt Ana' as Norma Jeane called her, and who she once described as 'a wonderful human being'. Ana greatly encouraged Norma Jeane's acting career. Photograph from Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, by Michelle Morgan, published by Constable & Robinson on September 13, at £30. It is available at the BooksFirst price of £27, including p&p. Tel: 0870 165 8585
5/The Doughertys by the docks on Catalina Island. Jim, whom Norma Jeane had married in 1942, worked for the Maritime Service Training Station as a physical instructor. Marilyn once said of her marriage to him: 'Instead of going back into a boarding house or with another set of foster parents, I got married'. Photograph from Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, by Michelle Morgan, published by Constable & Robinson on September 13, at £30. It is available at the BooksFirst price of £27, including p&p. Tel: 0870 165 8585
6/Norma Jeane (second from left) and her colleagues from Radioplane, July 1944. Her job at the Radioplane company, taken when her husband left to serve in the second world war, was exhausting, involving spraying aeroplane parts with fire retardant. She was pleased when her career as a model meant she could leave. Photograph from Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, by Michelle Morgan, published by Constable & Robinson on September 13, at £30. It is available at the BooksFirst price of £27, including p&p. Tel: 0870 165 8585
7/Norma Jeane visits the penguins at the bird park on Catalina Island. Weekends there were often low-key, with days spent horse-riding, fishing or exploring. Photograph from Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed, by Michelle Morgan, published by Constable & Robinson on September 13, at £30. It is available at the BooksFirst price of £27, including p&p. Tel: 0870 165 8585
>> source: article sur TimesOnline accompagné du diaporama Picture Gallery
06/2007 Julien's Summer Sale - photographies
Photographies personnelles
Lot n°138 : 4 petites photos de la maison d'enfance de Marilyn Monroe, "The Ranch House" , une de ses maisons d'acceuil. L'enveloppe comporte l'inscription: "The "Ranch House" showing our bedroom last window room from the left." Provenance de la collection d' Eleanor Goddard.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: $600.00 (estimation: US $800.00 - US $1,200.00)
Lot n°139 : Photo de Famille comportant l'écriture de Marilyn Monroe, qui écrivit au dos de la photo: "Taken at Aunt Alice's + Uncle Arts [sic] wedding Aunt Ana, John, U. Art, A Alice, Opal". Provenance: de la collection d' Eleanor Goddard.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: $800.00 (estimation: US $1,000.00 - US $2,000.00)
Lot n°142 : Véritable photo de Gladys Baker. Au dos de la photo, l'inscription faite par Marilyn Monroe: "Mother, second from end on right with her girl friends". Provenance: de la collection d' Eleanor Goddard.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: $800.00 (estimation: US $1,000.00 - US $2,000.00)
Snapshots
Lot n°132 : 5 petites photographies originales noir et blanc représentant la jeune Marilyn Monroe. Ce sont des photos publicitaires de la Twentieth Century Fox.
Date estimée: vers 1948
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: $400.00 (estimation US $600.00 - US $800.00)
Lot n°133 : 4 petites photographies originales noir et blanc représentant Norma Jeane Dougherty (futur Marilyn Monroe). Une photo la montre se tenant devant la résidence de l'adresse 4215, deux autres photos la montre jouant au golf , ( il était connu que Marilyn jouait souvent au golf avec des amis) puis la dernière photo la montre posant allongée dans l'herbe.
Date estimée: vers 1948
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: $400.00 (estimation: US $600.00 - US $800.00)
Photos Tom Kelley
Lot n°112: Photographie de Marilyn Monroe par Tom Kelley (celle du fameux calendrier Golden Dreams). photo couleur en édition limitée (numérotée) et signée par Hugh Hefner, le patron du magazine Playboy.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: $1,600.00 (estimation: US $2,000.00 - US $4,000.00)
Lot n°113: Photographie de Marilyn Monroe par Tom Kelley (celle du fameux calendrier Golden Dreams), photo couleur en édition limitée (numérotée) et signée par Tom Kelley, le photographe.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: $1,600.00 (estimation: US $2,000.00 - US $4,000.00)
Lot n°114: Calendrier mural de 1954. Calendrier "Golden Dreams" de la pin-up Marilyn Monroe des fameuses séances photos de 1949 "red velvet" avec le photographe Tom Kelley.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: $400.00 (estimation: US $600.00 - US $800.00)
Lot n°115 : Calendrier mural de 1955. Reprend la photo du Calendrier "Golden Dreams" de la pin-up Marilyn Monroe des fameuses séances photos de 1949 du "red velvet" avec le photographe Tom Kelley. Kelley paya le modèle Marilyn $50.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: $400.00 (estimation: US $600.00 - US $800.00)
Photos Sept ans de réflexion
Lot n°135 : Photo originale de Marilyn Monroe sur le tournage de "Seven Years Itch" en 1954.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $100.00 (estimation: US $200.00 - US $300.00)
Lot n°116 : 2 photos de Marilyn Monroe sur le tournage de "Seven Years Itch" en 1954.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $100.00 (estimation: US $200.00 - US $300.00)
Lot n°117 : véritable photo de Marilyn Monroe, prise par Charles G. Hagedorn, sur le tournage de "Seven Years Itch" en 1954.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $800.00 (estimation: US $1,000.00 - US $2,000.00)
Photos Diverses
Lot n°90 : photo noir et blanc de Marilyn Monroe aux Golden Globes Awards , au Beverly Hilton en mars 1962. De gauche à droite: Charleton Heston, Marilyn Monroe et Rock Hudson. Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $400.00 (estimation: US $600.00 - US $800.00)
Lot n°94 : photo noir et blanc de Marilyn Monroe prise par Milton Greene numérotée 129/300 , signée au stylo par Milton H. Greene. Milton Greene entra dans la vie de Marilyn après son diorce d'avec Joe Dimaggio. Ils devienrent des amis très proches où Marilyn fut la muse de Milton, puis ils devienrent partenaires dans les affaires. Marilyn vécu chez Milton et sa femme à New York avant son mariage avec Arthur Miller. Greene capta chez Marilyn sa plus belle et fragile personnalité.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $1,600.00 (estimation: US $2,000.00 - US $3,000.00)
Lot n°96 : véritable photo noir et blanc de Marilyn Monroe à la gare avec Arthur Miller. Au verso, l'inscription: "Mr. Barall".
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $400.00 (estimation: US $600.00 - US $800.00)
Lot n°105 : photo noir et blanc de Marilyn Monroe provenant d'un magazine dédicacée à l'attention de Linda Bennett, une enfant star. L'inscription dit : "To Linda, I saw you in the Seven Little Foys - Great Marilyn Monroe" Provenance: des affaires de Linda Bennett.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $3,000.00 (estimation: US $3,000.00 - US $5,000.00)
Lot n°106 : photo couleur de Marilyn Monroe provenant d'un magazine dédicacée à l'attention de Linda Bennett, une enfant star. L'inscription dit : "To Linda, Love & Kisses Marilyn Monroe. Provenance: des affaires de Linda Bennett.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $3,000.00 (estimation: US $3,000.00 - US $5,000.00)
Lot n°125 : 2 photos originales publicitaires début des années 1950.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $600.00 (estimation: US $800.00 - US $1,200.00)
Lot n°126 : photo publicitaire Marilyn Monroe allongée sur le courrier de fans, début des années 1950. Au moment de son plus fort succés, Marilyn recevait plus de 5,000 lettres de fans par semaine. Provenance: de la collection Eleanor Goddard.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $400.00 (estimation: US $800.00 - US $1,200.00)
Lot n°134 : photo originale publicitaire début des années 1950.
Sur le côté face de la photo se trouve l'inscription "Grace" écrite au stylo; et au verso est inscrit : "MARILYN MONROE...bright new star Marilyn Monroe discovered by Lester Cowan plays an important role in Producer Cowan's "Love Happy"....". Provenance de ce lot: de la collection d' Eleanor Goddard.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $400.00 (estimation: US $600.00 - US $800.00)
Lot n°143 : photo noir et blanc de Marilyn Monroe prise par Bruno Bernard - vers 1940s - Connu sous le nom de Bernard of Hollywood, Bruno Bernard est celui qui présenta Marilyn à son futur agent, Johnny Hyde. Le photographe était un survivant de l' holocauste qui réusit à se faire à nom tout seul en photographiant les stars légendaires d' Hollywood. Tampon du photographe au dos de la photo. Provenance du lot: de la collection d' Eleanor Goddard.
Enchère du 16/06/07 , Mise à prix: US $600.00 (estimation: US $800.00 - US $1,200.00)
10/2005 Julien's Auctions - snapshot
Photo signée du photographe M.O Schwartz et datée du 18/05/1945 de Norma Jean (future Marilyn Monroe)
03/1941, Sawtelle - Norma Jeane
Norma Jeane Baker -14 ans- en mars 1941 dans le quartier de Sawtelle (Ouest de Los Angeles),
dans la rue où elle vivait avec Ana Lower.
Norma Jeane Baker -14 years old- in March 1941 in the Sawtelle district (West of Los Angeles),
in the street where she lived with Ana Lower.
Norma Jeane se tient devant la maison (non visible) où elle vit avec Ana Lower (Tante "Ana") au 11348 Nebraska avenue. La maison derrière elle sur la photo est la vieille maison d'angle à ossature de bois blanc située au 11334 avenue Nebraska, que tante Ana possédait et louait également.
Norma Jeane stands outside the house (not visible) where she lives with Ana Lower (Aunt "Ana") at 11348 Nebraska Avenue. The house behind her in the photo is the old white wood framed corner house at 11334 Nebraska Avenue, that Aunt Ana also owned and rented out.
Norma Jeane et le neveu d'Ana Lower
Norma Jeane and Ana Lower's nephew
Ils se tiennent devant une bouche d'incendie, au croisement des avenues Nebraska et Corinth à Sawtelle. Le bâtiment derrière eux est l'auditorium de l'école élémentaire Nora Sterry (dont l'entrée principale sur l'avenue Nebraska se voit à droite de Norma Jeane). Elle a fréquenté l'école élémentaire Nora Sterry de l'automne 1938 à l'été 1939 (école qui s'appelait l'école du boulevard Sawtelle; la directrice était Mlle Nora Sterry).
They stand in front of a fire hydrant at the corner of Nebraska and Corinth avenues in Sawtelle. The building behind them is the auditorium of Nora Sterry Elementary School (whose main entrance on Nebraska Avenue is seen to the right of Norma Jeane). She attended Nora Sterry Elementary School from the fall of 1938 to the summer of 1939 (school which was called Sawtelle Boulevard School; the principal was Miss Nora Sterry).
Norma Jeane et une amie d'Ana Lower
Norma Jeane and a friend of Ana Lower
Elles se tiennent à l'angle des avenues Nebraska et Corinth; derrière elles, l'auditorium de l'école élémentaire Nora Sterry.
They stand at the corner of Nebraska and Corinth avenues; behind them, the auditorium at Nora Sterry Elementary School.
source:
article "Marilyn in Sawtelle" sur Sawtelle California 1897 to 1950
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