Description
A stunning collection of hundreds of rare and unseen photographs, at the back of-the-scenes notes, and interviews chronicling the media’s lifelong love affair with Marilyn, created by the acclaimed curator and creator of Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis.
Though Hollywood goddess Marilyn Monroe used to be married three times, her longest lasting relationship used to be with the press—the photographers, reporters, and press agents who followed her every move for just about two decades, and made her into the greatest icon in Hollywood history. One of the vital publicized actresses of her time, Marilyn actively sought out the press, carefully crafting her public image and the use of events from her private life to further her career. Her romances with baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, playwright Arthur Miller, and others made her a daily feature for newspapers, magazines, and wire services and products; new images of the star were guaranteed to spice up sales.
Drawing on unseen troves from dozens of photographers, archives, and collectors, acclaimed photography expert David Wills brings together an unprecedented array of press photos from during Marilyn’s career—including hundreds of unpublished and rare photographs which have been beautifully restored; uncropped and unretouched outtakes; handwritten notations; period captions; clippings; and more. With a foreword by Robert J. Wagner and interviews from key press agents and others, this portfolio of images offers a fresh, indelible portrait of One of the vital enduring icons in history and illuminates the special alliance she shared with the press as never before.