Marilyn Monroe in the Movies with DVD

by Timothy Knight

Marilyn Monroe is perhaps the best-known American woman in history. Her enduring grip on the public’s imagination, her raw sex appeal, and her endearing comedic roles dazzled filmgoers worldwide as the luminescent butterfly flitted across the screen. Marilyn Monroe in the Movies by film critic Timothy Knight not only examines all of Monroe’s films in thoughtful and engaging text, including hundreds of dazzling stills, it also includes an entertaining DVD documentary by filmmaker Les Krantz . In it, you’ll enjoy more than 50 of Monroe’s most entertaining scenes in her best films. The segments on the DVD documentary are from the following Bus StopDon’t Bother to KnockGentlemen Prefer BlondesHow to Marry a MillionaireLadies of the ChorusLet’s Make LoveThe MisfitsMonkey BusinessNiagaraThe Prince and the ShowgirlThe Seven Year ItchSome Like it HotThere’s No Business Like Show Business

176 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2009

About the author

Based in Los Angeles, Timothy Knight is a nonfiction writer and editor who has written extensively on business, film history, popular culture and sports. He has also written the scripts for several documentaries based on various books from some of America’s top publishers, including The Overlook Press and Triumph Books.

From 2003 to 2007, Timothy served as the primary film critic for the website reel.com. He holds a master's degree in critical studies from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.

When his face is not buried in a book, Timothy can usually be found writing one of his own. Among the many books he has authored are Great Kisses...and Famous Lines Right Out of the Movies (HarperCollins, 2008), Audrey Hepburn in the Movies (Metro Books, 2009), and Sinatra: Hollywood His Way (Running Press, 2010).

Reviews

[ela. · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf 35%

ile błędów może być w jednej książce.... już nie mówię, że każda jedna "ciekawostka" opierała się na tym kto lubił lub nie lubił Marilyn lub na tym, że nie była pewna swoich umiejętności (dosłownie nic innego tam nie było) to jeszcze edycja to chyba żart. Błąd błędem jest poganiany, nazwiska są pomieszane, a nazwy filmów się nie zgadzają. Już odpuszczam źle wydrukowane zdjęcia, bo może to po prostu moje szczęście, ale ta książka nigdy nie powinna pojawić się w druku z taką ilością niedociągnięć.

[megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very textbook analyzation of Marilyn Monroe’s movies.

[Merja Pohjola · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first it was going to be a definite four stars. The earlier films are nicely documented, but I don't know what happened after Bus Stop... there are slips, errors, and stuff that the author has forgotten to mention and it almost feels like he doesn't appreciate the method as much as I do. It bothers me that in few occasions he takes rumors for granted, such as Tony Curtis and Milton Berle. It would be her word against theirs - and he takes their word and runs with it, not even saying MM never talked about such affairs. Also, he clearly things the "guilty party" in the Miller marriage was Marilyn. And the Montand affair... I don't even wanna go there. But these are mere mentions that bounce off the pages and hit me in the face. Anyway, the book concentrates on her movies mainly, which is good. The pictures are rare, most of them anyway, probably because most of them must be screen captures. (The once that are never-before-seen, and there are plenty in such a little book.) Also a minus... it IS a little book... I don't have reading glasses and was forced to read the text near a bright lamp... Well, I mentioned the bad stuff, but there is a lot of good, especially to those who are not that familiar with Marilyn's movies. And there seems to be a real appreciation towards her work. Even from the early days. (Like I said, it seems to diminish towards the end - he even forgets "The Crystal Star" for The prince and the showgirl, although he does remember the Italian one. (David di Donatello). Still - recommended. The screen captured will be appreciated even by those who know a lot about her and her movies ;)) Oh, and it comes in a box with a DVD, but I already had one, so I haven't watched it... but as I recall, it is just clips of her movies... gotta watch it again! ;)

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I particularly enjoy books that focus on MM as an actress, rather than the endless rooting through her personal life. This is part of a series - other books feature John Wayne and Elvis. Many of the photos are screen-captures which was an interesting approach I thought. But I didn't understand why it was padded out with pics not featuring Marilyn, sometimes from scenes she wasn't even in. A few would be fine but I would have thought there was enough MM to fill their pages. I later realised this was because the screenshots are taken from trailers, which, unlike the actual movies, are in the public domain. The real bonus of this book is the DVD featuring movie trailers and newsreel footage. It's a nice book but not essential - was released through Barnes & Noble in the US. Other, more definitive books on Marilyn's film career include Richard Buskin's Blonde Heat, Lawrence Crown's Marilyn at 20th Century Fox, Cindy De La Hoz's Platinum Fox, and Carl Rollyson's mainly text-based MM: A Life of the Actress.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good snapshot of Marilyn's films.