Ralph Greenson never believed Marilyn purposely took her own life, while Milton Wexler, a psychoanalyst who looked in on Marilyn when Greenson was out of town, never believed it either. His daughter Alice recalls: ‘My father admired and respected Marilyn Monroe. He thought she was very intelligent and that she had a great sense of humour. He also firmly believed that her death resulted from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills and that she did not intend to commit suicide.’
The future looked bright for Marilyn: Eunice Murray was about to leave on a six-week vacation and she was looking forward to the arrival of a former housekeeper. The Arthur P. Jacobs agency had advised her that Billy Wilder wanted her for his next movie, and Arthur Jacobs had himself bought the rights to the movie I Love Louisa and scheduled a meeting about it for 6 August with Marilyn and director J. Lee Thompson. Added to that, there was also a Jean Harlow biopic with Sidney Skolsky in the offing, an appearance in a hour-long TV special and she was still keen to bring Rain to the small screen. She also had meetings to attend, including one on 9 August to discuss a musical version of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn with Jules Styne, and renewed negotiations over Something’s Got to Give.
Summer 1962 had been busy, and it looked as if autumn was going to be, too, certainly when it came to Marilyn’s career: it all looked hopeful. On a personal level, however, there are pointers to the possibility that Marilyn may have been struggling emotionally and was possibly unhappy enough to consider suicide. Friendship was always an issue, and Marilyn had few people in whom to confide: she had virtually no friends who were not employed by her in some way.
For reasons known only to herself, she refused to rely on the Knebelkamps, despite her former foster family’s desire to love and protect her. She certainly couldn’t turn to her parents, with whom she was never going to enjoy a close and supportive relationship. There were various bumps in the road that year, including the cooling of her allegedly close friendship with the Kennedy brothers and her dismissal by Fox being spun to depict her as a has-been, with her career in free fall. To cap it all, Arthur Miller had recently remarried, and his wife was expecting a baby – news of which might have served bleakly to highlight Marilyn’s own childlessness. Furthermore there was the apparent collapse of any plans Marilyn may have had to adopt. Was this somehow linked to the mysterious phone call Marilyn had received shortly before she died?
José Bolaños told the press that he had called Marilyn on the night she died and that she had told him something that ‘would one day shock the whole world’. While this might seem a tad dramatic on Bolaños’ part, was there something he said in the course of their telephone conversation that might have tipped Marilyn over the edge? She had planned a trip to Mexico on 15 September – perhaps a last-ditch attempt to fulfil her plans for adoption. Had Bolaños’ phone call put paid even to that? It all remains speculative.
But if Marilyn didn’t kill herself, was she murdered? And if so, by whom and for what reason? The possibility that she was killed is awash with conspiracy theories that range widely. There’s talk that she may have been killed to stop her publicly discussing her relationship with the Kennedys, rumours of Mafia involvement and CIA plots, and even the absurd notion that she had to be silenced because she’d found out that aliens had landed in the United States. Speculation is incessant; the parade of so-called expert witnesses never-ending; the stories ever more outlandish. Without exception, they each raise questions of credibility.
If Marilyn didn’t take her own life, if she wasn’t murdered, then was her death accidental, either a deliberate overdose with the hope of rescue or a genuine mistake? Perhaps Marilyn wanted people to know how desperate she felt, possibly by taking an overdose then calling for help? Or did she just lose track of how many pills she’d taken and take too many? Apparently, Marilyn used enemas, even for prescription pills, and might have over-medicated. Could this account for Eunice Murray operating the washing machine in the middle of the night?
Each question invites further answers, on and on, like an endless hall of mirrors.
Over the past fifty years, much has been written about how Marilyn Monroe died. David Marshall and a panel of Monroe experts tackled the subject most thoroughly in 2003, in a painstaking examination of the months leading up to her death. Marshall and his team looked at every theory, story and aspect of Marilyn’s demise, her medical and mental health, creating a vast database of files, photographs and emails. The result of their year-long labour is available in the 500-page book, The DD Group: An Online Investigation into the Death of Marilyn Monroe. It is the best exploration of Marilyn’s death to date and comes closest to establishing exactly what happened that night of 4 August 1962.
But regardless of how or why Marilyn died, it is important to remember that beneath all the rumour and gossip – talk of suicide, murder and conspiracy – Marilyn Monroe was Norma Jeane Baker, a little girl who once dreamt of becoming an actress. The appeal of her life – its fire and magic – is overwhelmingly more captivating than raking over the embers of her death. With this in mind, this book has determined to do justice to her, to the pleasures and the pains of the life of an extraordinary woman who not only brought joy to millions but also succeeded beyond a little girl’s wildest dreams. This book is for her.
Remembrance: Lamenting Marilyn Monroe
If my life could be lived again I would make every decision – except about being an actress – differently. But the result would probably be the same, so it has all been worth it.
Marilyn Monroe
Paul ‘Wes’ Kanteman: ‘I do remember when she died, as Uncle Jim had been given the word by an old partner of his who was investigating the case. It was early in the morning when he called and told my mother what had happened. I was sad and wished more than ever that I had tried a little harder to get in touch with her. I do believe that she and Uncle Jim would still be together if she hadn’t become famous. They were very much in love and were really meant for each other. She never did achieve the happiness with the others that they had together – at least from what I have read she was a pretty unhappy lady. A lot of years have now passed and I guess all I can do is keep the thought that she was my Aunt Norma and I really thought a great deal of her.’
Bill Pursel: ‘She didn’t find the little cottage and white picket fence; the three children and loving dog she sought. She loved the publicity and attention she attracted, but she was not happy. She sank into the quicksand of Hollywood like many others have done, but placing blame for the inevitable is folly. I was surprised at her death. What a tragedy. Norma Jeane had a pure soul, and an immense love of life. She was kind and generous; loved children and animals and had a strong backbone – she almost single-handed made herself a world-renowned star and was so profound I was almost afraid of her. To me she was like a dream and that is what she really was. Raising this past has brought melancholy to a very private part of my life and if Norma Jeane is looking down on all this, I hope she is smiling.’
Jeanne Chretien: ‘I was very shocked when Marilyn died, and very disturbed. We were driving back from Utah and heard it on the radio. My first reaction was, “Oh My God, I just can’t believe it was suicide.” I was very shocked and very sad. Gee, she was nice, and my mom liked her too.’
Bob Cornthwaite: ‘I always felt nothing good could happen to her. She had an aura about her that nothing good could happen. Of course, good things happened to her career, but she was so vulnerable. There were so many things she didn’t know and she knew that, but she always said, “I’m going to do it.” Her stubbornness was her strength and also her weakness. Perhaps she couldn’t help her behaviour, she was so disturbed emotionally and psychologically and just couldn’t help it.’
A. C. Lyles: ‘I join all her friends in Hollywood who had the privilege of knowing her; we remember her with devotion and love. Each of us felt a personal loss and the industry was deprived of a great talent at an early age. As time goes on she becomes more legend. One has only to say “
Marilyn” and everyone knows that means Marilyn Monroe. Her first name is all the identification needed.’
Alan Young: ‘When Norma Jeane died I was very annoyed. I was saddened, of course, but very annoyed at how she was used – or misused – by people. She was so sincere and wanted more than anything to have a nice home with a nice family.’
George Chakiris: ‘When Marilyn died, I was in Japan making a movie and I remember being so sad because it seemed to be our loss. But she lives forever on film; she gave so much, she had a deep caring for her work and cared a great deal. Actors care about the parts they play, but Marilyn cared even deeper. She was glorious, something else. She stands alone and is incredibly unique. When I need cheering up, I watch “Diamonds” or the opening number of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and it lifts my spirits. Marilyn was a lovely, kind person who wouldn’t hurt a fly; she was adorable but that isn’t even a good enough word. She was so gifted.’
Elliott Reid: ‘I was very sad when she died – surprised, but more than anything I was shocked.’
Peer J. Oppenheimer: ‘I have always believed her death was a mistake. I am convinced she simply picked up the wrong bottle or took too many pills. It didn’t occur to me then and doesn’t now that there was any foul play.’
Jim Gough: ‘The memories I have of Marilyn are of a friendly person, full of attention for everyone, from bricklayers to painters and artists. She was far from being a snob, an eccentric, or a manic-depressive during the times I spent with her. Marilyn was slender and full of energy, at peace with herself, and concerned about other people’s wellbeing. She was eagerly facing the future and anxious to see what might happen next. She was in full control of her life and seemed to be looking forward to her career as a mature actress. She was excited to harvest the fruits of her labour; her two most precious possessions were her house and her little white dog, Maf, whom she adored so much.’
Joe Coudert: ‘It was a surprise when she passed away, since she was so young. That made it even more tragic for us, and we were greatly saddened. I often wonder what Ms Monroe would have been like if she was alive today . . . Clearly, she would be the Queen of Hollywood.’
References
Sources
In addition to the books, newspaper reports, magazine articles and archives listed below, the following items/interviews have been referred to throughout this book, but particularly in the following chapters:
Chapter 1:
Census reports and records related to the Monroe, Bolender, Gifford, Guthrie, Flugel and Cohen families;
Travel records for Della Monroe and Charles Grainger;
Birth certificates for Berniece Baker and Norma Jeane Mortenson;
Death certificate for Della Monroe;
Divorce papers for Gladys Baker v Jasper Baker, Gladys Mortensen v Martin Mortensen and Lillian M. Gifford v C. Stanley Gifford;
Marriage certificate for Gladys Baker and Martin Mortensen;
Interviews/Memories: Bonnie Roth, Nancy Bolender Jeffrey.
Chapter 2:
Census reports and records related to the Monroe, Atkinson, McKee, Martin, Gifford, Goddard, Knebelkamp, Wilson and Lower families;
Census and travel reports for the Atkinson family;
Death certificates for Tilford M. Hogan and Robert Jasper Baker;
Guardianship records for Norma Jeane Baker;
Letter from Grace Goddard to Los Angeles Orphans Home, undated;
Letter from Grace Goddard to Mrs Myrtle Van Hyning, 15 August 1935;
Letter from Mrs Dewey to Grace Goddard, 6 December 1935;
Letter from Harry C. Wilson to Berniece Baker Miracle, 1962;
Elyda Nelson manuscript courtesy of Paul Kanteman;
Interviews/Memories: Nancy Bolender Jeffrey, Bill Fredenhall, James Glaeg.
Chapter 3:
Emerson High School year book;
Inscribed photograph of Norma Jeane and friends, 25 February 1940;
Report cards for Norma Jeane Baker, 1942;
Petition to establish the presumption of death of Marion Otis Monroe;
Interviews/Memories: Bob Stotts, Doris Drennen, James Dougherty, Jo Olmstead, Bill Pursel, Roy Turner.
Chapter 4:
Elyda Nelson manuscript courtesy of Paul Kanteman;
Jane Wilkie notes on James Dougherty;
Letter from Bebe Goddard to Norma Jeane Dougherty, 26 October 1942;
Letter from Gladys Baker to Berniece Baker Miracle, 7 October 1944;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Berniece Baker Miracle, 2 February 1944;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Cathy Staub, undated;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Grace Goddard, 14 September 1942;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Grace Goddard, 16 February 1943;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Grace Goddard, 15 June 1944;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Grace Goddard, June 1943;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Grace Goddard, 3 December 1944;
Postcard from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Catherine Staub, 28 October 1944;
Wedding announcement for Norma Jeane Baker and James Dougherty;
Interviews/Memories: Bob Stotts, Doris Drennen, James Dougherty, Nelson Cohen, Paul ‘Wes’ Kanteman, James Glaeg, Jo Olmstead.
Chapter 5:
Divorce papers for Norma Jeane Dougherty and James Dougherty;
Elyda Nelson manuscript courtesy of Paul Kanteman;
Jane Wilkie notes on James Dougherty;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Bill Pursel, July 1946;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Grace Goddard, 1945;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to unknown friend, 27 October 1946;
Model release form signed by Norma Jeane Dougherty for M. O. Schwartz;
Postcard from Norma Jeane Dougherty to James Dougherty, 15 December 1945;
Transcript of interview with Harry Lipton, from The Legend of Marilyn Monroe;
Interviews/Memories: Bill Pursel, Bob Stotts, Jeanne Chretien, James Dougherty, Paul ‘Wes’ Kanteman, William Carroll.
Chapter 6:
Agreement between Norma Jeane Dougherty/Marilyn Monroe and Twentieth Century Fox, 11 June 1947;
Contract between Marilyn Monroe and Twentieth Century Fox, 24 August 1946;
Letter from John Carroll to Marilyn Monroe, 4 December 1947;
Letter from Norma Jeane Dougherty to Berniece Baker Miracle, circa 1947;
Letter from Twentieth Century Fox to Marilyn Monroe, 10 February 1947;
Interviews/Memories: Alan Young, Bill Pursel, Annabelle Stanford, Berniece Baker Miracle, Christine Krogull, James Glaeg, Jeanne Chretien, Mayor Johnny Grant, Mona Rae Miracle, Steve Hayes, Kathleen Hughes Rubin.
Chapter 7:
Letter from Columbia Pictures Corporation to Maurice Zolotow, 19 October 1959;
Letter from the Hollywood Studio Club to Maurice Zolotow, 18 September 1959;
Letter from Twentieth Century Fox to Maurice Zolotow, 29 September 1959;
Letters from Johnny Hyde to Marilyn Monroe, various dates;
Natasha Lytess manuscript, ‘My Years with Marilyn’, as told to Jane Wilkie;
Interviews/Memories: Bill Pursel, James Glaeg, Paul ‘Wes’ Kanteman, Stanley Rubin, Annabelle Stanford, Mayor Johnny Grant.
Chapter 8:
Letter from Elia Kazan to Marilyn Monroe (transcript), c.1951;
Letter from Twentieth Century Fox to Marilyn Monroe, 11 May 1950;
Model release signed by Norma Monroe for Tom Kelley Studio, 27 May 1949;
Natasha Lytess manuscript, ‘My Years with Marilyn’, as told to Jane Wilkie;
Interviews/Memories: A. C. Lyles, Bill Pursel, Kathleen Hughes Rubin, Annabelle Stanford, Jeanne Chretien, Michael Thornton.
Chapter 9:
Letter from Marilyn Monroe to William Morris Agency, 8 May 1951;
Letter from Natasha Lytess to Marilyn Monroe, 5 May 1951;
Marilyn Mon
roe’s Twentieth Century Fox contract, 11 April 1951;
Marilyn Monroe’s UCLA Student record card;
Marilyn Monroe’s bank statement, 27 September 1951 to 25 October 1951;
Natasha Lytess manuscript, ‘My Years with Marilyn’, as told to Jane Wilkie;
Interviews/Memories: Charles H. Page, Dale Robertson, Forrest Olmstead, John Gilmore, Richard Baer, Nanciele Finnegan, Annabelle Stanford.
Chapters 10 and 11:
Documents related to the Red Rock Dairy and Gifford family;
Letter from Mr F. L. Metzler to Mr A. W. Deweese, 26 May 1952;
Transcript of letter from Marilyn Monroe to Dr Rabwin;
Letter from Tom Pryor to Mr A. W. Deweese, 11 June 1952;
Letter from Twentieth Century Fox giving Marilyn Monroe permission to appear on the Edgar Bergen radio programme, 13 October 1952;
Natasha Lytess manuscript, ‘My Years with Marilyn’, as told to Jane Wilkie;
Interviews/Memories: Bill Pursel, Bob Cornthwaite, Darrell Von Driska, Gus Zernial, Jim Henaghan Jr, Lisa Truax, Joseph L. Jacob, Pat Brennan, Timothy Henderson, Friends of Dorothy Arnold, Mayor Johnny Grant, Forrest Olmstead.
Chapter 12:
Death certificate for Grace Goddard;
Documents related to John Eley;
Letter from Will Sykes to Marilyn Monroe, October 1954;
Letter from Twentieth Century Fox to Marilyn Monroe, 8 April 1953;
Marilyn Monroe, pages of script from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes;
Marilyn Monroe, pages of script from How to Marry a Millionaire;
Natasha Lytess manuscript, ‘My Years with Marilyn’, as told to Jane Wilkie;
Notes made by Grace Goddard on the behaviour of Gladys Baker Eley;
Transcript of The Jack Benny Program;
Interviews/Memories: Forrest Olmstead, George Chakiris, Hal Schaefer, Jim Gough, Jim Henaghan Jr, John Gilmore, Pat Traviss courtesy of Lois Banner, Nancy Thome, Stanley Rubin, Win Rosette, Elliott Reid.
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