Marilyn Monroe : An Icon in Furs

[roninphy]

Thank you so much Brandy !

Your kind words and enthusiasm really mean a lot.

I think I have gotten a little carried away but this thread is getting to be like a puzzle , I am always hunting hunting for new pieces .... while I figure out the plot as I go along

Cheers

Roninphy

Edited November 21, 2008 by Guest

[roninphy]

Marilyn Monroe between White Mink and Black Mink

 

At about the same time as the Marilyn in white mink portraits were taken, Marilyn and Milton Greene joined forces to form Marilyn Monroe Productions.

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Marilyn_white_mink__02.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/1955_press_pty_MMP_03.jpg[/image]

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/1955_press_pty_MMP_05.jpg[/image]

 

 

White mink to Black mink: Milton Greene Shoots Marilyn on the set of Bus Stop

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/MMBS_bkmnk_b%2Bw_04.jpg[/image]

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MMBS_bkmnk_b%2Bw_02.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MMBS_bkmnk_b%2Bw_05.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MMBS_bkmnk_b%2Bw_06.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MMBS_bkmnk_b%2Bw_07.jpg[/image]

 

An interesting series, Greene had the ability to make Marilyn feel comfortable in a photo shoot setting. Here she has adopted a casual pose and we see her relishing her luxurious fur in the cold clear mountain air . In the second through fourth images Marilyn first runs her neck over the mink and then allows the fur collar to brush her chin and cheek, followed by snuggling deep in the collar and placing her burying her nose in the fur. Apparently she found the fragrance of mink to be comforting.

 

Examining this last image, it occurs to me that Marilyn is smiling as if she has a secret. Looking at the first image , I can see her neckline where the collar of her fur is slightly opened, I don't see anything underneath to indicate a top, also her arm extends enough out of the fur sleeve that you can see to the elbow ..... . Was there "nothing but Marilyn" under that luxurious mink coat !

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MMBS_bkmnk_b%2Bw_01.jpg[/image]

 

Well what do YOU think ??

Cheers Roninphy

Edited November 29, 2008 by Guest

[MadisonAvenueFurPrincess]

I continue to enjoy this thread, Thank You Ronin! I look forward to seeing MM in a Golden Sable or Silver Fox! maybe?

[roninphy]

I continue to enjoy this thread, Thank You Ronin! I look forward to seeing MM in a Golden Sable or Silver Fox! maybe?

Hi Maddie

Thanks for leaving a comment. I have a very nice chinchilla series coming up and many more fox images to post (Not silver fox and no sable unfortunately).

So..... Roninphy would have do some Marilyn FMF''s heh, heh , heh Stay tuned.

 

BTW if you are in a New York frame of mind I have posted some short videos's of Marilyn in furs

Marilyn walks through New York City wearing fur and stiletto heels causing havoc.

http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/displayimage.php?album=88&pos=0

Sassy, sexy, starlet Marilyn in fox with ?? Groucho Marks ??!

http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/displayimage.php?album=88&pos=1

Best Roninphy

[FrBrGr]

So..... Roninphy would have do some Marilyn FMF''s heh, heh , heh Stay tuned.

Now that would be icing on an already very delicious cake!

[roninphy]

Thank you FrBrGr!

However before I create some Marilyn de novo there are many more of the real thing to enjoy. - Roninphy

 

Milton Greene Captures Marilyn on the set of Bus Stop in color

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_BS_on_the_set_blk_mink__01.jpg[/image]

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_BS_on_the_set_blk_mink__02.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_BS_on_the_set_blk_mink__03.jpg[/image]

 

 

"Her quality when photographed is almost of a supernatural beauty." ~Lee Strasberg

 

Screen Captures from the movie : Bus Stop

 

"Marilyn is as near a genius as any actress I ever knew. She is an artist beyond artistry. She is the most completely realized and authentic film actress since Garbo. She has that same unfathomable mysteriousness. She is pure cinema." ~Joshua Logan, director of Bus Stop

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/MM_BS_production_stills__01.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_BS_production_stills__05.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_BS_production_stills__04.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_BS_production_stills__06.jpg[/image]

 

More to follow ......

Edited November 29, 2008 by Guest

[roninphy]

Milton Greene : Portrait of Marilyn Monroe with black fox

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_bfox_MG___00.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_bfox_MG___02.jpg[/image]

 

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_bfox_MG___01.jpg[/image]

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_bfox_MG___03.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_bfox_MG___05.jpg[/image]

 

( click on images above to see full size image]

 

Another facet of the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe

Edited November 29, 2008 by Guest

[roninphy]

Marilyn Monroe in Chinchillla 1954 portrait series by Milton Greene

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_ghost_t_54__01.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_ghost_t_54__02.jpg[/image]

 

Photographer Milton Greene and Marilyn Monroe went traveling in Marilyn's new black Cadillac convertible to a ghost town (?near the California Nevada border). Milton took three sets of images the first was the Chinchilla series below. ( Alternatively this could have be an old movie set on the back lots of 20th Century, Hmmm I guess that is a kind of ghost town too!)

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_MG_chinchilla_54_02.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_MG_chinchilla_54_01.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_MG_chinchilla_54_03.jpg[/image]

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_MG_chinchilla_54_04.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/archivesmhg_2023_51964205.jpg[/image]

 

In the Milton Greene archives this set is referred to as "fur siting" see last image above. Note that it is credited as" Los Angles" - maybe the ghost town is a back lot after all ?

 

Roninphy

Edited November 29, 2008 by Guest

[roninphy]

Milton Greene Ghost Town: Marilyn Monroe in white fox photoshoot

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_little_tramp__4.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_little_tramp__5.jpg[/image]

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/MM_little_tramp__6.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_little_tramp__7.JPG[/image]

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_little_tramp__3.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_MM_little_tramp__1.jpg[/image]

Edited November 29, 2008 by Guest

[roninphy]

From lyrical ingenue in white fox to harsh stripper in black stockings.

 

This set of pictures was taken in February 1956 by Milton H Greene. As far as I know these images were not published in Marilyn's lifetime. Greene is revealing a very different side of Marilyn for our inspection. In these stark black and white images Marilyn is following in the footsteps of Marlene Dietrich as a "femme fatale en noir"

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/blk_boa_Milton_and_Marilyn.jpg[/image]

 

This portrait of the artist and subject (Marilyn Monroe in a black fox boa and stockings) has strong overtones of dominance and submission. Marilyn is reduced to a striptease character, her fox boa being the only thing that is not stark in the composition. Greene is taking a self portrait with" the artist" in the foreground and his "creation" the subject is in soft focus removing her stockings behind the artist all captured via Greene's camera.

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_blk_boa_MMMHG_00.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_blk_boa_MMMHG_02.jpg[/image]

(click on images above to see larger image)

 

More images from the stark black and white photoshoot done in in February 1956. It seems to me that Marilyn is reduced to a striptease character, her fox boa being the only thing that is not stark in the composition. ( not sure She may be wearing a black fox hat, in the two images above). Compared with the white mink series Greene has eliminated Marilyn's "child-like" vulnerability and focused on pure raw sexuality. Marilyn is much more like Dietrich in The Blue Angel in these pictures. The angled position of her legs have become a semaphore for signaling sexual availability. Her fur serves her to denote her" bad girl" status and does not obscure the delights on offer.

 

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_blk_boa_MMMHG_01.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_blk_boa_MMMHG_05.jpg[/image]

The first pose above emphasizes the thick black hem of her stocking and her leg over leg reclining posture. Greene is focused here on pure raw sexuality.Rather than the Jean Harlow of her white fox persona here Marilyn is much more an echo of Dietrich in The Blue Angel in these pictures. The last image is an intricate set of enticing triangles all aligned with Marilyn's head, lips and thrown back short hair.

 

 

Roninphy

[brandy-uk]

credit where credit is due...

 

well done Roninphy..

 

" title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" /> " title="Applause" />

[samurman]

A thread such as this one should never be allowed to die and left to collect dust in the back pages of the den...

 

Partly to light the fire of interest among us, partly to thank roninphy for this incredible journey of fur with Marilyn, and partly to fill some of the (admittedly tiny!) gaps in the pictorial fur history of Marilyn Monroe, I would like to make the following humble contribution. I have tried to refrain from duplicating roninphy's photos as much as possible. If a photo below has already been posted by roninphy, it is most probably because the photo below is at a higher resolution. The presentation below follows a chronological order as far as such an order could be determined with certainty.

 

Marilyn attending the Premiere of The Emperor Waltz with Mickey Rooney, June 1948

roninphy's second post in this thread included the following two photos. As the title above indicates, they were taken when Marilyn attended the premiere of the movie, The Emperor Waltz with Mickey Rooney in June 1948. They appear in roninphy's chronology in the period, 1951-52.

 

Moving into Mainstream Hollywood

Monroe enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles studying literature and art appreciation, and appeared in several minor films playing opposite such long-established performers as Mickey Rooney, Constance Bennett, June Allyson, Dick Powell and Claudette Colbert.

[image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Marilyn__dark_goat_coat_.jpg[/image] [image]http://thefurden.com/cpgfd/albums/userpics/10364/normal_Mikey_Rooney_and_Marilyn_.jpg[/image]

 

Here, two different scans of the same photos, the second one a bit larger than the one roninphy had posted:

 

Marilyn in the movie Love Happy (1949)

roninphy's first post in this thread included two screencaps of Marilyn holding a fox? stole in this movie. Below, HQ scans of two B&W photographs taken during production:

 

All About Eve (1950)

In addition to those posted by roninphy, I have found the following photos:

 

 

Again, roninphy has already posted two of the following three breathtaking images of Marilyn in a fluffy white fox stole, but these are larger in size and the third one is the bonus:

 

The following photo is interesting in that it contains details of the scenes in which she appeared in that costume:

 

Edward Clark Photoshoot (1950)

As far as I could determine, roninphy has posted two of the three images of Marilyn with a dark mink stole, taken by Edward Clark.

 

Gene Kornman Glamour Photoshoot

The first photo below has been placed by roninphy among the promotional material for the movie All About Eve, but as far as I could determine, they were taken in 1950 by Gene Kornman on a different photoshoot.

 

 

Henrietta Awards, 8 February 1952

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to establish the colour and the type of Marilyn's dress and her mink stole. I have included the last image just to give you an idea for the colour of the dress.

 

 

 

Marilyn at the Premiere of the movie, Don't Bother to Knock (1952), 18 July 1952

roninphy has posted four images, the following two show her arriving at the premiere.

 

 

 

Marilyn as a Streetwalker in O. Henry's Full House (1952)

Again, roninphy has posted the first two below, but these are at a higher resolution and the last two complement the set.

 

 

Frank Powolny Photoshoots (1952)

roninphy has already posted large size versions of these unforgettable images, but the ones I have found below have slightly different white-balance, so I am including them here for completeness.

 

 

Marilyn at the Premiere of Call Me Madam (1953), 25 March 1953

I guess this fantastic series of images showing Marilyn glowing as the movie star with a white fox stole are the first major contribution I am making to this thread:)

 

 

 

Well, it is true that the last image does not contain fur at all, but if you are in a mood to complain, please do, because I am complaining that we do not have a colour image of Marilyn with her fur stole, too!

[samurman]

Marilyn at Walter Winchell's Birthday, 5 May 1953

 

Now that we have gotten into serious business, what a great way to roll and have a look at Marilyn at the zenith of her attraction, which was infinitely amplified by her furs.

 

 

OMG, just look at the first pic below: she is sitting on his lap! She being none other than Marilyn Monroe. Sitting. On. his. lap!!! Who is he, then, the birthday boy? I don't care who the f..k he is, it's that simple!

 

 

OK, OK, in my delirium, I may have missed the fact that while she is sitting on that guy's lap, her whitest of the white fur stole is in turn sitting on her lap! Now, to talk about frbgrs!

[samurman]

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

 

It may not be the best Marilyn Monroe movie, but it may possibly be the most popular one. I am talking about Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, of course. Some of the following images were taken during the production of the movie, some for its promotion. The first one looks like a candid; I mean, the fox stole may or may not have been Marilyn's but she is teasingly posing with it for the camera (We shall see below this gray fox stole is used by Jane Russell in one of the movie scenes). We see her teasing the camera in the fourth pic with Jane Russell's black fox stole. The fourth image is another candid, and it definitely has nothing to do with fur, but I found it so cute, with Jane checking her makeup while Marilyn is gulping a bottle of Coke, I had to include it.

 

 

 

 

Marilyn accompanying Tommy Rettig at the Premiere of The 5000 Fingers of Dr T (1953), 11 October 1953

roninphy has talked about this event and posted a collage of photos taken at the time. Here, two HQ pics from that collage:

 

 

How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

 

Thanks to the UHQ size of the first pic, the fur collar of her sweater is revealed to be not faux, but sheared beaver.

 

 

Edited May 25, 2010 by Guest

[samurman]

The Premiere of How to Marry a Millionaire, 4 November 1953

 

Marilyn is truly a shining star at this event, and her fluffy white fox stole accentuates her beauty. Four of five of the following images have already been posted by roninphy, but those below are at a much larger resolution. I have not included those at an identical resolution.

 

I have to warn you, though, that some images below are very large. Those in the second and third rows are all larger than 3 MB, each!

 

 

 

 

 

Charity Event at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium, 8 December 1953

roninphy has indicated that this series of photos, showing Marilyn with the photographer Milton Greene was taken in 1954, but my source indicates it was a charity event at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium on 8 December 1953. I haven't been able to verify this info from another source.

 

 

Bob Hope Party, 16 December 1953

Too bad we only have a very limited glimpse of Marilyn's black fox stole:(

 

Bruno Bernard photoshoot, 1953

Marilyn might well be wearing a robe with feather/maribou trimming in these shots, but both the atmosphere and Marilyn's poses are quite dark and mysterious, I thought it is not hard to imagine her wrapped in a very full fox or coyote coat in here...

 

[samurman]

More Frank Powolny Photoshoots (1953)

My source dates these photos, taken by Frank Powolny, to 1953. Again, very large files, some in excess of 4MB!

 

 

[Worker 11811]

Wow! Nice!

 

Most of these look like scans taken from a photographic print.

They look good!

[samurman]

Wow! Nice!

 

Most of these look like scans taken from a photographic print.

They look good!

 

Indeed, they are very high quality scans and they show the incredible level of sharpness and detail found in black and white photos!

[grouchomg]

Marilyn was a beauty and a better actress that most give her credit for. And she looks lovely in furs. We miss you, Marilyn

[samurman]

Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe civil wedding at San Francisco, 14 January 1954

 

roninphy has posted a photo from the wedding ceremony of Marilyn with Joe DiMaggio, and admittedly, she is not wearing much fur on that occasion to merit detailed posting, just a small patch of white fur in the form of a shirt collar on a plain black dress. But these photos show that even such a limited use of fur adds a level of sophistication and lifts up the overall look.

 

 

Marilyn and Joe DiMaggio on their way to Honeymoon in Japan, Honolulu Airport, 1 February 1954

roninphy has posted the first photo as showing the couple on their way back from their honeymoon trip, taken at San Fransisco, but my source states that these photos were taken at Honolulu while they were en route to Japan. The characteristic Hawaiian flower necklace Marilyn is wearing in the second photo gives credence to this identification. Marilyn's dark mink coat is much better appreciated in the second photo as well. (File sizes: 708KB, 1.4MB, 2.1MB, respectively)

 

 

Marilyn and Joe DiMaggio Arrives at Japan, 2 February 1954

Marilyn is seen with her dark mink coat in the following pics, and the last one is especially a very intimate pose, unfortunately it is not sharp enough:(

 

 

Press Conference at Tokyo Airport, 3 February 1954

She has a black fox stole this time and shining in a radiant smile, as always... Interestingly

 

 

Marilyn visits wounded American soldiers in a hospital in Tokyo, 5 February 1954

 

Remember, it was a time when America was fighting the "commies" in Korea, and just as American soldiers wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan are treated in US bases in Germany or the UK, they were being treated in Japan, a key US ally at the time. The first picture is incredibly sharp and Marilyn looks gorgeous in her dark mink coat. I'm sure many denizens would love to be in the place of that lucky guy in the bed:) And when I looked at the last pic, I first thought the two guys in black patient robes to her right and left were actually wearing robes made of black mink:) Seriously!

 

 

Marilyn and DiMaggio Leaving Japan, 24 February 1954

I love the way she wears her mink coat on her shoulders, without putting her arms in the sleeves. That's a sensuous and sexy way of wearing a fur coat...

 

 

Marilyn arrives at San Fransisco, 24 February 1954

 

There is not a speck of blemish, not a tiny bit of imperfection in her beauty, smile and pose, isn't it? She's just perfect.

 

[samurman]

I was re-reading the thread from the start to the end for the umpteenth time, and noticed the following sharp observation by roninphy, regarding fur as the ultimate symbol of actress hierarchy in Hollywood, as observed in the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), between the movie's original star, Jane Russell, and Marilyn Monroe, who had been contracted as the second actress:

 

It is intriguing that when the two stars are together it is Jane Russell who always has the fur most particularly, fox fur whereas Marilyn is only allowed to wear leopard fur trim. I am taken by the body language of Jane Russell in the second image above upthrust hip and right hand on her everted black fox fur stole. (Interesting that Jane Russell was paid $100,000 for her role whereas Marilyn the contract star received $10,000)

 

When I reread this observation by roninphy, I returned to the following comment I have made above about Marilyn, "teasingly posing" with two fox stoles. The two photos I am talking about are singled out below:

 

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

 

The first one looks like a candid; I mean, the fox stole may or may not have been Marilyn's but she is teasingly posing with it for the camera (We shall see below this gray fox stole is used by Jane Russell in one of the movie scenes). We see her teasing the camera in the fourth pic with Jane Russell's black fox stole.

 

 

 

Now it all makes sense, doesn't it! Marilyn is "teasing" with those fox stoles, because they "belong" to the original star of the movie, Jane Russell! Marilyn is not supposed to surpass Jane Russell in glory, but then, she "steals" the limelight from her in the true sense of the fur thanks to her innate star glamour, and these two poses where she "steals" Jane Russell's furs simply symbolize that act.

 

Most importantly, Marilyn already knows in these poses that she is more beautiful and more glamorous than Jane Russell. That's the "hidden" message in her broad smile!

[Worker 11811]

I can come up with some really naughty captions to go with this one!

 

[samurman]

Photoplay Award, 1954

The following pics, besides those posted by roninphy (The last pic is already in the Den's gallery, but this one's resolution is much higher):

 

 

Leaving NYC for LA, 16 August 1954

Her dark mink coat again.

 

 

Marilyn Arrives at NYC for The Seven Year Itch Press Conference, 9 September 1954

One of the rare instances when Marilyn is wearing a fox stole that is not pure white or pure black... Look at the reactions of the airport workers in the second pic in the background:)

 

 

 

 

Leaving Hospital, October 1954

One of the rare instances where she is not "wearing" any makeup. The dark mink coat is still on her, though...

 

 

On 6 October 1954, Marilyn announced that she was divorcing from DiMaggio, and the divorce was finalized on 27 October 1954. It is remarkable that on both dates, she was wearing all black and no fur, as if she was mourning for the divorce.

 

 

Marilyn and Hassan The Palm Reader, November 1954

The second image is incredibly sharp and detailed.

 

 

 

Advance Screening of There's No Business Like Show Business, 4 November 1954

 

 

 

The Seven Year Itch Party at Romanoffs, 6 November 1954

 

 

 

 

Marilyn with Ella Fitzgerald, 16 November 1954

 

 

 

There's No Business Like Show Business (1954), Costuming

We see that Marilyn is wearing the exact same dress and fox stole in this shot, taken for the movie production, as she wore on 9 Sep 1954 on arrival to NYC at the airport.

 

 

 

Various Photos of Marilyn and DiMaggio, 1954

 

[roninphy]

More Frank Powolny Photoshoots (1953)

My source dates these photos, taken by Frank Powolny, to 1953. Again, very large files, some in excess of 4MB!

 

 

 

What a magnificent gallery Samurman ! Simply superb HQ images of Marilyn

 

I am practically speechless!!!

 

Thank you just does not seem adequate !

 

 

Roninphy

[samurman]

What a magnificent gallery Samurman ! Simply superb HQ images of Marilyn

 

I am practically speechless!!!

 

Thank you just does not seem adequate !

 

 

Roninphy

 

I am just following the trail you have blazed, roninphy:)

 

At the moment, I am speechless, too. But there are so many things to be said and analyzed about Marilyn and her furs. Hopefully, other members of the den will join the discussion...