Silver Screen Magic with Marilyn Monroe

Norma Jeane Mortenson became Marilyn Monroe and an iconic actress in Hollywood. She is most known for her “blonde bombshell” roles onscreen during the Golden Age of Hollywood and showed everyone she could also act and sing and be versatile onscreen.

Director John Huston directed the 1950 American heist film noir “The Asphalt Jungle." The film is based on the 1949 novel of the same name by W. R. Burnett, telling the story of a jewel robbery in a Midwestern city. It starred Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore, Sam Jaffe, John McIntyre, and Marilyn Monroe.

The storyline chronicles a major heist that, despite going off as planned, goes down the drain when bad luck and solid police work cause everything to unravel.

Director Roy Baker directed the 1952 American psychological thriller film “Don’t Bother to Knock." It was based on the 1951 novel “Mischief” by Charlotte Armstrong. The film starred Richard Widmark, Marilyn Monroe, and Anne Bancroft. This film noir thriller was set entirely in a hotel.

The storyline follows Jed Towers (Richard Widmark), an airline pilot who, after getting dumped by his girlfriend Lyn Lesley (Anne Bancroft), pursues a troubled babysitter, Nell Forbes (Marilyn Monroe), in his hotel and gradually realizes that she is dangerous.

Director Howard Hawks directed the 1953 American musical comedy film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." The film is based on the 1949 stage musical of the same name, which is based on the 1925 novel of the same name by Anita Loos. The film starred Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Colburn, and Elliott Reid.

The storyline follows showgirls Lorelai Lee (Marilyn Monroe) and Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell) as they travel to Paris while being pursued by a private detective, an enamored old man, and other admirers.

The film includes the legendary song number “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend."

Director Jean Negulesco directed the 1953 American romantic comedy film “How to Marry a Millionaire." The film is based on the plays “The Greeks Had a Word for It” and "Loco." The film starred Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, William Powell, David Wayne, Rory Calhoun, and Cameron Mitchell.

The storyline follows three women—Loco Dempsey (Betty Grable), Pola Debevoise (Marilyn Monroe), and Schatze Page (Lauren Bacall)—who set out to find eligible millionaires to marry in New York City.

Director John Huston directed the 1961 American romantic drama film “The Misfits." The film is based on the 1957 short story of the same name by Arthur Miller. The film starred Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and Montgomery Clift. This film was the last completed film for both Gable (who died three months before the premiere) and Monroe (who died a year after its release).

The storyline revolves around a newly divorced woman, Roslyn Taber (Marilyn Monroe), and her relationships with a friendly landlady, Isabelle Steers (Thelma Ritter); an old-school cowboy, Gaylord Langland (Clark Gable); his tow-truck-driving and plane-flying best friend, Guido (Eli Wallach); and their rodeo-riding, bronco-busting friend, Perce Howland (Montgomery Clift).

Director Henry Hathaway directed the 1953 American film noir thriller "Niagara." The film starred Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters, Casey Adams, and Denis O'Dea.

Set in Niagara Falls, with a backdrop of the magnificent falls, the storyline revolves around two couples. Newlyweds Ray Cutler (Casey Adams) and Polly Cutler (Jean Peters) and a husband and wife, George Loomis (Joseph Cotten) and Rose Loomis (Marilyn Monroe), whose turbulent marriage is wracked by jealousy and deceit.

Director Laurence Olivier directed the 1957 British romantic comedy film “The Prince and the Showgirl." The film was based on the 1953 play “The Sleeping Prince” by Terence Rattigan. The film starred Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe.

The storyline revolves around an American showgirl, Elsie Marina (Marilyn Monroe), who becomes entangled in a political intrigue when Charles, the Prince Regent of Carpathia (Laurence Olivier), attempts to seduce her.

Director Billy Wilder directed the 1955 American romantic comedy “The Seven Year Itch." It is based on the 1952 play of the same name by Axelrod. The film starred Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell. This film includes one of the most iconic pop culture images of the 20th century: Monroe standing on a subway grate as her white dress is blown upward by a passing train.

The storyline revolves around Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell), a faithful husband undergoing a midlife crisis with an overactive imagination tempted by a beautiful neighbor portrayed by Marilyn Monroe.

Director Billy Wilder directed the 1959 American crime comedy “Some Like It Hot." The film is based on the 1935 French film “Fanfare of Love." The film starred Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon.

The storyline is set in the Prohibition era and is about two musicians, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), who disguise themselves as women to escape the Chicago mobsters they witnessed committing a crime.