(Multicom Jingle)
(mysterious quiet music)
(car humming) (jazzy music)
- Could you wait for me a minute?
I'm not sure if anybody's home, thank you.
(door slamming shut)
(jazzy music)
(footsteps clicking)
(knocking on door)
Cass?
(footsteps clicking) (jazzy music)
Cass?
Baby?
(laughing)
- Norma, darling?
Hey, don't run away.
Norma, I want you to meet Eddie G.,
he's my twin, too.
And, Lila, say hello to Lila.
(jazzy music)
(footsteps clicking)
- Could you take me home?
Please, just take me home.
(jazzy music)
(sobbing)
(pills rattling) (sobbing)
(choking)
(muffled background chatter)
(sobbing)
- Okay, okay, I think I've got the solution.
You need a man to feel safe,
and to feel loved.
To feel like a real person.
And am, I want to marry you.
- Oh, Mr. Shinn.
- First of all, call me Isaac,
and just hear me out.
I'm gonna draw up a pre-nuptial agreement
leaving you virtually my entire estate when I die.
I'm gonna cut everybody else out.
And I am worth millions.
Does that make you feel safe enough?
- Mr. Shinn, I mean, Isaac, I have,
why, I don't wanna be the one to, you know,
hurt your family, or take money from your children.
- They don't give a damn about me.
- I'm not in love with you, that way.
- Sweetheart, I know you don't love me in that way,
but there are other ways, so long as you respect me.
- Oh, Mr. Shinn, yes I do.
- And you trust me.
- Yes, I do.
- And you know I have your best interests at heart.
That's a good foundation for a marriage.
Along with the pre-nuptial agreement.
- I can honestly, I could only,
I could only marry you for love, not for money.
No!
I'm sorry, I just,
I love you, but I'm not in love with you.
Please forgive me.
Please, please forgive me.
- Max Lurie wants to see you tomorrow.
He wants to discuss a role for you, in his new picture.
- Mr. Shinn, Isaac.
(swanky jazzy music)
(knocking at door)
(door squeaks open)
- Marilyn, hello.
(jazzy horn music)
(door squeaks shut)
(jazzy horn music)
(finger snapping)
Daydreaming, honey?
- No.
(jazzy horn music)
- So, you think we can work together, hmm?
- Yes I do, I do.
- Saw you on "Asphalt Jungle".
Yeah, I was impressed.
I'm not forcing you, am I, baby?
- No.
- You're free to leave at any time.
(jazzy horn music)
- [Marilyn] It wasn't me, all those times.
It was my destiny, like a comet,
veering toward earth, and the gravitational pull,
you can't resist.
You try, but you can't.
So you're afraid that if you resist,
you won't be loved, or wanted, or given a chance.
(telephone ringing)
Hello?
- [Isaac] Sweetheart?
We got the part.
You awake, kid?
I'm telling you, you got the female lead.
Max Lurie asked for you, we got the part.
- Oh, that's good news.
- Good news?
It's terrific news.
So is somebody there with you?
You don't sound very happy.
- Oh no, I am, I am happy.
- [Isaac] You don't sound happy, Norma Jean.
I'd like to know why the hell not.
I bust my ass at the studio, talking you up,
and you're, oh yes, I'm happy (chuckles).
Look, I know the part doesn't make much sense,
but it's your first starring role.
Marilyn is on her way.
- [Stagehand] Coming over here, like.
(workers excitedly chatter) (bell clanging)
- [Male Stagehand] Wake up!
- [Stagehand Associate] Let's kill the Yankee, knock it.
- [Stagehand Manager] Looks good!
- [Stagehand] Next to her, c'mon, throw it in now.
- You need to push yourself, baby.
- [Director] All right, here we go, folks.
Roll camera.
Mark it. (loud snapping)
Okay, let's go.
Action.
- You're aren't going to run out on me?
Are you, Georgie?
- [Georgie] Hey baby, what are you talking about?
- [Marilyn] You love me, I know you love me.
I can feel it, in my skin, and in my bones.
- [Georgie] Cunning little bitch, Marilyn Monroe.
Stole every scene we're were in together.
Every scene, was like my guts were being sucked out of me.
- I'm sorry, could I, could I just talk to you for a moment?
- Cut.
- [Georgie] Either she can't act at all,
or she's acting all the time.
Her entire life's an act.
(bell clanging)
- I know what Fawn would say,
and these aren't Fawn's words.
I am, well, I'd like to rewrite the scene,
just a few lines, just a little.
- What if every actress wants to alter her lines?
- I'm not every actress.
- You're too intense, Marilyn.
You're gonna wear yourself out.
- No, look, in real life, Fawn would be used,
and beaten, and shared by men.
She'd be drinking, and taking drugs,
and then she would be dead.
- She's a character in a movie.
What's wrong with you?
- No, no!
She's real, she's inside me, I know her.
- Are you on painkillers?
- No, I'm just trying to tell you
that I don't want Fawn to die.
- You don't have to think about this stuff.
You only have to be Marilyn.
Nobody wants to listen to this
tortured crap out of your mouth.
Trust me on this, sweetheart.
- I'm gonna play Fawn my way, because I know her.
(reflective music)
(footsteps clicking)
- Miss Monroe!
I think I saw your picture in a magazine the other day.
- Oh, maybe.
- I loved you in "All About Eve".
You played a good part.
- Thank you.
Is my mother?
- In there.
(reflective music)
- Well, ah, I'll give this to you.
It's some money for some things that she might need.
(footsteps clicking) (reflective music)
Mother!
Here you are.
- You smell.
(nurses whispering gossip)
- Well, it's the chemical bleach
they use on my hair, mixed with Channel perfume.
I thought you might enjoy.
I've been working as an actress, mother.
Serious, demanding work.
Of course I don't own the dress,
the studio provided it for the photo shoot.
Well I know, it doesn't look much like me,
they say Marilyn is very photogenic.
- Huh!
Does your father know?
- My father?
Know what?
- About this Marilyn.
- Well, he wouldn't know my professional name, I guess,
how could he?
Mother?
If you told me his name, I could send him this magazine.
I could call him up sometime,
if he's still living in Hollywood.
Mother, it would mean so much to me to know who he is.
To know him, I wouldn't bother him, I promise.
- No.
- Mother please, please.
- No.
(reflective music)
(sobbing)
- [Man] Stop!
You don't wanna do that.
Give it to me.
(quiet, dramatic music)
(sobbing)
- [Director] Cut!
Print it.
(telephone ringing)
- Hello?
- [Isaac] You never told me you did something like this!
Miss Golden Dreams.
- Isaac?
- [Isaac] Right here in front of me, it's on the front page,
along with U.S. casualties in Korea.
You're right next to a picture
of the Rosenbergs being sentenced to death.
- It's in the "Hollywood Reporter" and "Variety"!
I mean when did you do this?
1949?
You were under contract.
Oh, you dope!
- I, I, I don't know what you're talking about,
Miss Golden Dreams?
What is that, what does that mean?
- It means soft-core porn, with that creep, Otto.
Don't you see?
The studio can suspend you for this.
And this is the worse possible time.
They were considering you for a new film
opposite Joseph Cotton, "Niagara".
Marilyn was mine, too, you dumb broad!
Marilyn was mine!
Marilyn was beautiful!
And you had no right to despoil her.
- I... (phone slamming down)
Hello?
(dead ringtone)
(paper rustling)
It's like I'm a Commie, I guess.
All the papers after me (chuckles).
- This one here.
(papers slamming)
Miss Golden Dreams.
- I'm not a criminal.
I posed nude once in my entire life,
because I was desperate, $50.
It's just a silly picture.
- Didn't you sign an agreement,
stipulating the behavior, contrite the morals,
of the Hollywood community,
would result in suspension of your contract,
or even termination!
(quiet jazzy music)
- Did you ever see photos of the Nazi death camps?
Or Hiroshima, piles of corpses like lumber.
Babies, children, that's something to be upset about.
That's pornography, not some,
sad dumb broad, desperate for 50 bucks.
(footsteps clicking)
- [Studio Head] I wanted to punish her for being a tramp.
And for bleeding on my beautiful white fur carpet.
I couldn't get rid of her,
because I was afraid she'd be hired by a competitor.
We ended up forgiving her for the calendar,
and raised her salary to a thousand bucks a week.
We couldn't invent another blonde.
One that could make so much money, so cheap.
(telephone ringing)
- Isaac?
- [Voice On Phone] No, this is Betty.
Mr. Shinn's secretary.
- Betty?
- [Betty] Norma Jean?
Are you sitting down?
- What?
- [Betty] Mr. Shinn, he's dead.
His heart.
- What?
It was me, it was my fault,
oh, Betty, he died overnight.
(sobbing)
Nothing, oh God.
(choking, vomiting)
(sobbing)
(quiet dramatic music)
(upbeat music)
- [Marilyn] Mr. Shinn was my friend,
maybe my only real friend.
- Well, it's the first thing
you have to learn about Hollywood.
You're agent is never your friend.
It's the business we're in.
Acting is the only profession I know.
- Here's our girl, whoo-hoo.
- What's this?
More friends?
- For all the bucks I'm investing in this movie,
do I get to boogie with the star?
Ha, ha, ha.
- Joseph Cotton is really the star, Mr. Duncan.
- Well damn, I don't want to dance with him,
I just wanna see if these things are real.
- Trust me, they're real.
- We're gonna have to hog-tie her, boys--
- Whoa, whoa, you're not being very friendly.
- I'm sorry.
- C'mon, let's party!
(footsteps clicking) (lively music)
- You don't belong with people who don't love you, Norma.
- Oh, Cass, I've missed 'ya.
- Come with us.
(jazzy, lively music)
- [Man] Oh, this is great!
- [Woman] Let me out, let me out...
- Oh, yeah!
- Where did you guys get this car!
It's so great!
- We borrowed it, we borrow everything.
- Come, come, come, come! (giggles)
- There we go, watch your step.
- [Marilyn] (exciting squealing)
(all laughing)
- You saved me, I'm free, I'm free!
(laughing and giggling)
(surf pounding)
- It's okay, it's okay.
(dramatic romantic music)
(jazzy horn music)
- Oh the lights, the set.
Have you seen Miss Monroe?
- She's over there.
- It is time to celebrate!
- Miss Golden Dreams!
- Oh, oh, pretty, mmm.
- Look at us, aren't we beautiful?
- Yes, the mirror, my magic friend.
- Mine too.
You know, I sit up and watch myself, even on the toilet.
(laughing)
- That's it Miss Monroe, I'll them you're ready.
- Oh, can you put these in water,
and also, don't forget to take some of those cookies
for your mom, I don't need cookies.
So they want me to wear flesh-colored underwear
in this next scene, but I'm gonna go nude.
They want me to be a slut, I'll be a slut.
- That's right, the human body is meant to be seen.
Not hidden away like some ugly, festering wound.
- Unless of course, it is an ugly, festering wound,
then it should be hidden.
(laughing)
- Oh, here's to, us.
(giggling)
- Action!
Cut.
Rose, honey, I love it,
but we'll never get it past the censor.
- Oh, but the sheet covers everything.
- Not really, it's obvious what you're doing.
- No see, this is important.
Rose, Rose is mocking her husband,
I mean, he's impotent, he can't do anything.
God, this role, it's so under-written,
and I'm convincing, I wanna write some lines.
It came to me last night, Rose had a baby,
and the baby died.
Rose, is a woman with a secret,
see, that's why I'm playing her this way,
I can remember how it happened.
- What?
How what happened?
- This baby.
Rose shut in in the bureau drawer, it suffocated.
She was making love with a man,
and they didn't hear the baby crying in the drawer.
And when they finished, the baby was dead.
- How the hell do you know that?
- Hey, I know, I used to know Rose.
(jazzy horn music) (happy background chatter)
- Do you remember the day
you invited me to see your aviary?
I was just a girl then, I was so scared.
- I don't have an aviary.
- What about the white fur rug?
I got blood on your white fur rug,
and you yelled at me. (giggling)
- I'm afraid I do not, Miss Monroe,
I have no white fur rug, excuse me.
- Marilyn, as your agent I have a word of advice,
just smile, don't make trouble.
Don't sabotage yourself.
Another thing, don't ever mention
that your mother is in a mental hospital.
"Niagara" is gonna make a bundle.
Everybody's gonna be talking about Marilyn Monroe.
- [Eddie G.] The number one sex symbol of the 20th century.
What a laugh.
She wasn't even good at making love.
And basically, she never knew how.
I'm sure her body was this gorgeous thing,
she'd stare at in the mirror.
But she never knew how to operate it.
And neither did anyone else.
- [Eddie G.] Norma darling, you are a star,
and this is where a star should live.
- (squealing and laughing)
Oh my God, it's beautiful.
And I mean, I don't know how I'm gonna pay for it,
because I had to borrow the money for the lease,
but it's beautiful!
- Now, no, no, no, no, don't worry.
Well, we'll help you.
- Absolutely, when we get a job.
- But you know what, we need some decent furniture.
- A dining room table.
- We'll cook, we'll entertain.
Beautiful parties, black tie,
and it'll be like, like a home, a real home, and I--
- That's right, my love, a haven.
I'll even unpack my suitcase.
- And I won't be alone?
- No.
- Norma, I wanna show you something.
It's better at night than in the day.
- Oh!
Wow!
You know I read that the universe
is billions of years old.
And it began in a single explosion
from a tiny particle.
- The fact of a star, as it burns out.
Celestial stars are human.
- I'll drink to that.
(bottle crashes)
(laughing)
- Blood, bow.
C'mere.
We're the Gemini, the three of us.
Like the twins, only there's three.
(crickets chirping)
Always love one another.
In sickness, and in health.
- Till death do we part.
(giggling, laughing)
- Well, Mrs. Pearick, you're about five weeks pregnant.
The baby will arrive in mid-April.
- What?
- Well, it will be all right,
you're in excellent health.
- Oh no, I'm happy, I'm so happy, I want this baby.
My husband and I, we've been trying for years,
this is wonderful.
(quiet piano music) (muffled voices)
- Norma, dear, what is it?
You look fraught.
- Well I, I don't know which one,
so I guess, you're both about to become fathers.
- Oh.
Norma, you think you are?
- Yes.
- [Eddie G.] Oh man.
- Look, I mean, it's what I always wanted.
You're happy for me, aren't you?
- Yes, of course.
- It's wonderful, it's just that Cass and I aren't working,
and a baby.
- Oh no, see, I got it all figured out.
I'm gonna postpone my next film,
and I can make money being photographed for magazines,
and well, I won't show for three or four months,
and I'm gonna let my hair grow out,
I'm gonna be natural (giggles).
- Waiter, I think we need a couple
of bottles of wine, over here.
- We're celebrating.
(laughing)
- Real life, that's cool.
It's good, a wake-up call.
I'm gonna join AA.
- You're right, this is the time to go on the wagon.
And we're not getting any younger,
or any healthier.
- We need a house, we need a big house.
With land, and trees, and a view.
- Where we gonna get the money for a house?
- Leave it now in our hands now, my darling.
Leave it to us.
- We should take out insurance,
in case one of us dies,
that way we know the baby will be taken care of.
- I don't wanna talk about dying.
Oh, look!
A little tiger.
I had one like him once at the orphanage.
(quiet music)
(glasses crashes)
(giggling)
- Baby's first plaything.
- Cute.
- That was Norma Jean Baker, when we knew her.
When we were the Gemini.
Before she betrayed us,
or maybe we betrayed her.
A long time ago.
- You can't turn it down.
Will you listen to me, please?
- I'm sorry, yes, what?
- [Agent On Phone] You never did musical comedy before.
This is a fantastic opportunity.
Now the deal is--
- [Marilyn] Musical comedy?
I can't dance, and I can't sing.
- [Agent] Oh, very funny.
You're the next Carol Lombard.
You've been taking lessons,
everybody says you're very promising, a natural talent.
- I can't, I'm sorry, not now,
my personal life, you know,
I'm not just some thing in the movies.
- [Agent On Phone] Marilyn, what?
I didn't quite hear?
- How much would I get?
- Contract salary.
15 hundred dollars a week,
they estimate around 12 weeks.
- Mm-hm.
How much would Jane Russell get?
- The deal is pending, figures aren't finalized.
- [Marilyn] How much?
- Well, they're asking 100 thousand dollars.
- (laughing) And I'm the blonde,
I'm gonna hang up now, goodbye.
- [Agent On Phone] Marilyn, wait!
- Screw Marilyn, she isn't here.
(phone slamming down)
- [Agent] I bought it for her, the role of Lorelei
I didn't want Carol Channing, from the Broadway production.
I wanted it as a showcase for Marilyn Monroe.
Since "Niagara" she was the highest grossing actress,
although in my estimation, she was still a tramp.
- When you had me, Mother, you weren't married, I guess.
You didn't have a man supporting you, yet you had a baby.
Oh, you were so brave, Mother, to have me.
Love me enough to not get rid of me.
- You're so old.
Your hair is white.
- (giggles) Oh, mother.
It's preposterous, isn't it?
How can I do this?
Baby, and no husband?
I should have married Mr. Shinn.
You wanna know something funny?
He didn't leave me anything.
Not a penny.
He just made a slave to the studio for seven years.
You know how much money I have?
$18, $18 and I'm supposed to be a movie star.
I love Cass, but I'm not sure I can trust him.
Eddie G, either.
Maybe, maybe they want me to die in childbirth
and collect the insurance.
They're just little boys.
Children, expensive children.
- Your mother has been doing so well.
But there are lapses.
Paranoid schizophrenia is a mystery illness.
It reminds me of multiple sclerosis,
a syndrome of symptoms.
- Is it inherited?
- Well, it has been noticed, in some families,
a certain tendency.
- My father was normal, very normal.
He died in Spain in 1936, actually he was killed in the war.
(balls clicking)
- Slugger, whaddya say?
- Why, you just fly in?
- Yeah.
- Hey, tell Geno who's here,
tell him to put some steaks on.
- [Server] Yes, sir.
- Listen, this blonde, Marilyn Monroe.
- So?
What about her?
- I'd like to date her.
- Her?
This broad's a tramp.
She's been a tramp from the get-go.
She's a bottle blonde, and a cow.
She don't wear underwear.
She's pals around with Jews, and lives with two junkies.
She's serviced every guy in town.
And more out of town.
Little girl can't get enough.
- I just want to date her.
Make the arrangements.
(island dance music)
- I'm not merchandise.
My illustrious agent says this guy wants to date me.
And you know what that means.
- Famous, he must be rich.
- Rin Tin Tin's right, you should meet him.
Yes, you could play hard to get.
We'll have to get him, too.
Great role for Marilyn.
- I'm not going to meet him.
I hate baseball, and I'm pregnant.
Cass, I thought you said you weren't gonna drink anymore.
- Well you're so healthy insane about all this.
That one in the Gemini has to crack up,
I don't mind, if the duration, it's me.
- Are you serious, Cass?
I can't support everybody.
- She's right, Cass, you know,
we should draw up our wills on our insurance policies.
- It's a terrific idea, Eddie.
Yeah, I do worry about the kid sometimes.
You know the San Andreas fault.
- You know, you guys aren't listening to me.
We don't have any money.
All you do is sit around here all day, drinking.
And I don't know what to do, Cass, I don't.
I don't know what to do.
- You're no fun, anymore, Norma.
Why don't you just relax and enjoy this?
I think little Momma needs a tequila, Eddie G.
(island dance music)
(chuckles)
(island dance music)
(door slamming)
- I don't know what else to do,
I can't count on them for anything.
I'm alone.
- All right, now, Marilyn, what I'm gonna do,
is turn you over to my assistant, Yvet.
You know Yvet, she'll help you, okay?
(sobbing)
(bottles, pills clacking)
(footsteps clicking) (birds chirping)
(door clicks shut)
- Don't worry, Marilyn, it's all taken care of.
It's a clinic, nothing backstreet or dangerous.
- I've changed my mind.
- You won't feel a thing.
- No, I've changed my mind.
(car starting)
- I have arranged everything.
You have a new apartment.
We'll take you there after.
You never have to see those degenerates again.
- My mind is my own to change.
It is.
- [Nurse] It's all right.
- Wait.
Please this is a mistake, I don't wanna do it.
Please don't let me make a mistake (sobbing).
- [Nurse] Sorry, dear, it's all right.
- Just please, I don't wanna do this, I don't.
- [Doctor] Don't worry, my dear, you're in good hands.
- I don't wanna do this.
No, this is a mistake.
- I'm gonna clean off.
- [Marilyn] Please!
- Don't worry about me,
I've got a golf date with Bing Crosby later.
- Please don't look at me, don't take my picture,
don't take my picture.
- [Doctor] Don't struggle, please.
There will be minimal pain,
and then this injection will produce
a light, twilight sleep.
(quiet music)
- You don't understand, this is a mistake.
Listen, this isn't me,
(lamp buzzing)
(quiet music)
- Wait!
- Come back here!
(quiet music) (infant crying)
(door squeaking open)
(baby crying) (mysterious music)
(baby crying)
- (screaming)
(reflective music)
(footsteps clicking)
- Miss Monroe, they're waiting for you.
(reflective music)
(footsteps clicking)
- The codeine will help with the pain,
and the Benzedrine will give you quick energy.
- Nembutal?
- Sound sleep, dreamless sleep.
Think of me as your closest friend, Marilyn.
Anything you need, call Dr. Bob.
■ I've heard of affairs that are strictly platonic ■
■ But diamonds are a girl's best friend. ■
■ And I think affairs that you must keep masonic ■
■ Are better bets if little pets get big baguettes ■
■ Time rolls on and youth is gone ■
■ And you can't straighten up when you bend ■
■ But stiff back or stiff knees ■
■ You stand straight at Tiffany's ■
■ Diamonds ■
■ I don't mean rhinestones ■
■ But diamonds are a girl's best ■
■ Best friend ■
- [Director] Cut!
Perfect!
(group applauding)
- For this I killed my baby.
(quiet piano music) (muffled voices)
- The lady will have the filet of sole,
asparagus, I'll have a steak rare,
baked potato, no sour cream.
(light piano music)
So how did you get your start?
- What start?
- The movie business, acting.
- (giggling) Oh, right, that, I don't know.
I was discovered, I guess.
Well, I acted in high school.
I was Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.
I had a wonderful acting teacher,
and he taught me to believe in myself,
and now, I'm doing my first musical comedy,
big budget production of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes",
I'm (giggling) frightened,
the eyes of the world, and all that, so.
What about you?
- Well, I've always loved baseball
from the time I was a little boy.
It's almost a religion,
and I sure didn't wanna be a fisherman like my father,
my brothers, I was just no good at it.
I hated the boat, the ocean, dying fish.
- I don't blame you, poor fish.
But I am, I used to love softball.
- Really?
- Yes, yes, I, well, in high school, sometimes,
I play with the boys, when they let me.
- What was your position?
- I guess, batter?
(chuckles)
- When they let you.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- So yeah, baseball was my ticket out,
and I've always been grateful.
But, I've got to admit, it's lonely now that I've retired.
(quiet piano music)
- Well, you don't seem,
I mean, you're always in the papers,
it doesn't seem like you're retired.
- Hey, I'm not in the papers as much as you, Marilyn.
- Oh, that's just studio publicity, I hate it.
Well anyway, it's only for a little while.
Till I get some money saved,
and then I'm gonna do some serious roles, on the stage.
Don't laugh at me, but when I was Rose in "Niagara",
you know what I was thinking?
I could play Lady Macbeth someday.
Anyway, what I'm doing, it's not gonna last.
But you, well you're a champion athlete,
everybody loves you, you'll last forever.
- Okay, yeah, I guess.
- Mostly, I wanna settle down, like you, like any girl.
Have a family.
I love children, I'm just crazy about babies.
- I know what you mean.
I have a son.
- A little boy?
You do?
- Yeah.
He's 10 years old.
He's with my ex-wife,
so I don't get to see him as much as I would like to.
- Oh my, I always wanted a little boy.
Would you excuse me?
(quiet piano music)
(sobbing)
- Miss, you all right?
(quiet piano music)
- What's wrong?
- I can't breathe, I can't--
- [Cass] She left everything behind.
She broke the sacred trust, covenant.
When I heard about the abortion, I called her.
She kept blaming Marilyn.
It wasn't Marilyn, it was her.
It's all Norma.
(car rumbling)
(door slams shut)
- Oh this dress is worst than a straight jacket.
If I breathe the seams will pop.
I swear, Whitey, I'm a slave to this Marilyn Monroe.
(giggles)
- Now, Miss Monroe, please don't flinch.
Have I ever stabbed you in the eye?
So, is your friend gonna be at the premier?
- No, he can't make it, he's being honored
at the Baseball Hall of Fame,
or fishing with Hemmingway today,
I don't know, I can't keep track of it all.
Anyway, the PR staff are pissed.
(giggles)
- Listen to this one.
Dear Miss Monroe, I'm 13 years old.
I think you are the most beautiful movie star,
only my mother won't let me go to your shows.
- I don't blame her.
Deedee, make sure we answer all of those,
I don't wanna miss anybody.
- Don't move, this is crucial.
I'm gonna move the beauty mark down just a fraction.
- Ow!
- [DeeDee] "Dear Norma Jean, this is possibly
"the hardest letter I've ever penned.
"I know your mother is a sick woman,
"but she also has an evil heart.
"She expelled me from your life.
"I'm your father, Norma Jean."
- What?
- Oh, it's probably some prank.
There's no return address.
But it was mailed in Los Angeles.
- "I'll contact you again, soon.
"Look for me, my precious daughter,
"upon a special occasion in your life,
"when both father and daughter get..."
Oh, I need my father.
I've waited my whole life.
- [DeeDee] Are you all right, Miss Monroe?
- Oh my Daddy, Whitey get me some,
the Bennies and some Nembutal.
(group cheering, applauding)
(camera flashes crack)
(group cheering, applauding)
- [Photographers] Miss Monroe, Miss Monroe?
(group screaming and cheering)
- Tell our radio audience, are you lonely tonight?
- Well, actually--
- When are you and the slugger gonna get married?
- As soon as I decided, you'll be the first to know,
before he does.
This must be very exciting for you.
- Oh yes, my mother used to bring me here,
to this theater when I was a little girl,
it's very exciting.
- Thank you very much.
- Us two, when the cars are ready, get us out.
- The script?
- We'll bait it with a kiss.
- We've arranged for you to stay in the Imperial Suite,
at the Beverly Wilshire.
Now, be sure to go alone.
Someone special will be waiting.
(group yelling and screaming)
- My father?
(chuckles)
Champagne and Bezedrine,
the warm fizzing of my blood,
the happiness pounding in my heart.
Someone special will be waiting for you.
It was like a happy ending to a long, confusing movie.
I wanted to tell Cass.
If only I could tell Cass.
(quiet piano music)
(footsteps clicking)
(keys jingle)
(quiet piano music)
Daddy?
- Marilyn.
I'm sorry, I had hoped I made it to the premier,
but I couldn't get a flight in time.
- Oh, gosh, golly, I... (giggling)
Yes, it's--
- Listen to me.
I want to take care of you.
I want to protect you from all the jackals.
And we love each other, I think it's time we got married.
- Married?
(quiet romantic music)
- Do you like it?
- Yes, darling, yes, yes, yes.
I would...
Your hands are strong, strong,
they're beautiful hands, you see now.
Now my life is perfect, it is.
- [Press Members] Marilyn, Marilyn!
(screaming, yelling)
- This is the happiest day of my whole life.
- [Press] Marilyn, Marilyn!
(shouting and yelling)
(jazzy music)
(papers shuffling)
- I could have you hurt, scumbag.
- Me?
Not the right kind of attitude.
I'm on your side.
I admire you, always have.
I'm a Yankee's fan.
I admire your lady, too.
Real, high-class lady.
It's just, I feel strongly
that these old negatives should be taken off the market.
So they can't be misappropriated.
(papers shuffling)
Thanks, slugger.
You did the right thing.
(loud crunching)
oh-uwmpf!
(car engine revving) (tires squealing)
(door slamming)
- Hi.
- Don't you ever pick anything up?
- I, I, I don't know how it got this way,
I've been sick, I guess.
(loud slapping)
Oh, God!
- Is that what you are, meat?
- No, Daddy, I don't wanna be.
I don't--
- Look at this mess, look at it.
The tissues, all covered with makeup?
(loud slamming) (sobbing)
You never put a lid on anything.
You even forget to flush the toilet.
(sobbing)
These people are exploiting you, can't you see that?
They make millions, they pay you peanuts on that contract.
You tell them, no.
This new movie, no deal.
- No, Daddy, I have to work.
I have to work, it's my life, I have to work.
- No, you tell them, you're quitting.
Your husband says you're quitting.
(sobbing)
Look at you.
I can't stand to see you cheapen yourself.
But, I'm sorry, I hate you.
I never want to hurt you.
- I know Daddy, I know.
I know it, it's not scary, is it?
Those scenes with actual people,
they just go on and on, what's to stop them?
Nobody else could.
(sobbing)
- She meant more to me than she meant to herself.
I could see that now.
She loved me, I know that now, too.
But we hurt each other like wounded animals.
After she died, I had roses sent to her crypt,
three times a week for 20 years.
- It's good for you to come to the funeral, I, I appreciate.
- [Marilyn] My father, he was always so kind to me,
you're whole family, taking me in.
- [Man] Taking you in?
You worked for every penny, you ran our house,
our family, you were family.
Mother tells me, you have children of your own, now.
- Four, three daughters and the oldest one, son.
- Son, I missed out, no children, yet.
I hope you're happy, Magda.
- [Marilyn] I'm happy.
- [Man] Your husband?
- [Marilyn] My husband, he's a good man.
- [Man] Oh, Magda.
- It's all right.
No more words.
Mr. Strasburg, excuse me, can I do it again, please,
'cause I know I can do it better.
Just--
(group whispering)
- Sure.
(footsteps clicking)
- Stay, you'll see, she's not bad.
- You cast her without telling me.
- I told you on the phone.
- You didn't say her name.
You didn't say Hollywood.
- She's through with Hollywood.
They're suing her, the studio,
I called her agent.
She owes them four or five movies.
Suspended without pay,
and hasn't anything saved.
Look, she walked into my office a few weeks ago.
Getting over a painful divorce.
She said she was ready to learn, real acting.
- Don't give me that crap, Lee.
It's very obviously what's going on.
You've fallen in love with a movie star.
You bastard.
(jazzy music) (excited patron chatter)
- [Marilyn] I'm so honored that I could read
for the part of Magda.
I was terrified, I though you'd take one look at me,
and speak to Mr. Strasburg, and I'd be out of the cast.
- Are you sure that's all you're gonna drink?
- Oh, yes, water, I drink water (giggling).
See it, my only clear thought was,
that if I fail, well, it's winter here.
Freezing, we'll be here to die, would it?
- Yes, well, about my play.
Magda is from a world where
people do freeze during the winter.
She's farmed off from Poland, a survivor.
I'm not sure that she adds up, for the audience.
Well, I have some ideas about Magda.
I mean, if you're interested.
- Well, of course, I'm interested.
- This girl, Magda,
she's like the girl in Chekhov's, "Three Sisters".
You know the girl who marries the brother,
and she has the sash on her dress
that isn't the right color, only with Magda,
it's the way she speaks English.
- Did Mr. Strasburg tell you this?
- No, no, I read the play myself, years ago.
I always thought I could play Natasha.
I mean, someone like me, could play Natasha,
because, well, she doesn't belong in a good family,
and people laugh at her.
See, but then, Chekhov, well he surprises you,
because, Natasha who has your sympathy,
well she turns out to be so selfish,
so devious, really bad.
- You're saying I made Magda too good?
- No, I guess (giggles), I guess I said the wrong thing.
- No, no, writers are strange characters.
There was a Magda in my life.
And I did love her, when I was young.
Look, I wrote the play a long time ago.
It's too sentimental.
But, there's something in it.
- Like Chekhov?
- I'm afraid I'm not like Chekhov.
- What I revered, in Magda,
is, well, she had her baby because she loved it.
I mean, before it was even born, she loved it.
Isaac didn't know, nobody knew,
but she finds a man to marry her, so her baby could be born.
I'm sorry--
- I don't have to talk about the play, Marilyn.
I should call you Marilyn, shouldn't I?
Or is that a stage name?
- You can call me Norma, that's my real name.
- Somehow Norma doesn't sue you.
- Does it?
Norma Jean is what my mother called me, actually.
My mother and my father,
it doesn't matter what you call me,
you could whistle.
(laughing)
You could call me, "Hey, you".
- Hey, you.
(city traffic honking)
(door clicks open)
- You are different.
Other men just see a body, they're just attracted, sexually.
- You're a lovely woman, that's evident.
Maybe you're not so different.
Do you know I wanna hold you?
I've always been faithful to my wife.
I do not take my marriage casually.
I have two children, family.
- Maybe you should go now.
I understand, I guess, I'm sorry.
(jazzy romantic music)
- [Arthur] I didn't want to love this woman,
a Hollywood actress.
I'd heard all the rumors,
when I met her, I didn't believe any of them.
- Hi, it's me, your Magda.
- Hey, you.
I had the power.
I would re-write her story.
- I went to the Strand Bookshop today,
I bought those out-of-print plays of yours
that I hadn't read yet.
Your wonderful work, I admire you so much.
- [Arthur] I wanna see you.
I just don't wanna involve you in all my problems.
- [Woman] Anybody home?
- I'm on the phone, I'll be right there.
- [Marilyn] I wanted to be a great actress
for him, to make him proud of me.
God, I loved him.
I was so deeply in love, I wanted it to die sometimes.
No, I wanted to live, just to live
and know that he was living, too.
Before you, I wasn't anyone, I wasn't even born.
There were other men, but you will never write about me,
will you, about us?
Or maybe you don't love me anymore?
- I'll always love you.
- But you're a writer, first you see, and then you write.
- Never.
- If we, I mean, if we broke up.
- We won't break up.
- But other men, well, that was Marilyn Monroe,
that wasn't me, most men I don't even feel anything,
but, with you.
- I wish you didn't have to go to Tucson,
it just, it feels so far away.
- I know, but we need money for your divorce.
I'm gonna convert.
I'm gonna un-baptize myself, and become a Jew.
(giggling)
In my soul, I'm Jewish.
Let him kiss me, were the kisses of his mouth.
For thy love is better than mine.
(jazzy romantic music)
(excited chatter and yelling)
- Miss Monroe, this is your first visit to England,
what are your impressions?
- Well, you're my first impression then,
you seem friendly.
- How does it feel to be married?
- What if, now my live is perfect.
- Are you excited about working with Laurence Olivier?
- Well actually, I'm a little scared.
- If you'll excuse us, please.
(excited yelling and chattering)
- Do we have an estimate as to
when Miss Monroe will be ready?
Well, it's been five hours.
We've only had one day with her last week.
Ah, here she is, the actress.
- I'm sorry if I've kept you all waiting.
- You are worth waiting for, darling.
- So, lets get on with it.
The lighting's all set,
you hurriedly take your place at the line here,
to curtsy to the Arch Duke, me.
- Can I, uh, speak with you for a moment.
See, the showgirl doesn't dance.
Why?
- Well, it isn't in the script.
- Why?
- Well, it wasn't in the play.
It's too late now, anyway, it would cost too much.
Would take you forever to perform those scenes, Marilyn.
Just learn your lines.
- But I don't like this.
I don't like that my strap breaks when I curtsy,
see, I think it's cheap, and it's vaudeville,
and it's the Marx brothers, and I don't--
- Darling, it's comedy.
- But--
- Marilyn, my dear, just act sexy.
(footsteps clicking)
- Darling?
Darling?
(knocking on door)
Darling, what are you doing in there?
Huh?
- I'm sick, and living's making me sick.
You put a curse on me.
- Oh no, darling, don't think that way.
- No, he admires you.
- No, no, no, and when he touches me,
his skins crawls, and his nostrils...
do I smell, do I smell?
because I don't understand,
it's like they hate me,
and they look at me with their eyes,
and there's something, they hate me, they hate me,
I can't--
- Norma, Norma, that's not true.
That's not true, now listen to me, listen to me.
There's a car, there's a car,
and it's downstairs, and it's been waiting for you,
- No, I'm sick.
- For over an hour, okay. - I'm sick.
Now you gotta get up, and dress,
get up, and we're gonna get in the shower,
and we'll do this.
- I don't want to go.
- Oh, God, you're frightening me.
I mean this is serious, c'mon,
people are counting on you.
Don't, please don't do this to yourself.
You admire him, you do.
You're on his side.
(sobbing)
- Okay, I'll tell you what I admire.
Now look, you smuggled these.
You smuggled these on the plane,
and you promised me.
You promised me!
- Why don't you just let me die!
That's what you all want.
- Oh geez, I'm sorry, I'm sorry,
just please, why do you get like this?
Why are you doing this?
- 'Cause you never once defended me against that bastard,
you never once defended me.
(sobbing)
- I was just trying to be fair,
I wasn't sure who was in the wrong.
- He despises Marilyn.
- No, you despise Marilyn.
- Oh Daddy, give me a Bennie, I'll forgive you.
Give me a bennie, and we'll just, I want you, baby.
I'm so proud of you.
- [Arthur] It was a nightmare, why did I married her?
Why did I think I was strong enough?
I had to save her.
Get her away from the expectations of others.
Away from England when the movie was finished.
I had to take her to a safe place.
A place in Maine, where I'd been with my former wife.
I had to return Norma.
- Oh, Daddy, thank you,
this is the happiest day in my whole life,
give me your hand, can you feel the heartbeat?
- Yes.
- Oh God, he's in there, sleeping, dreaming,
two months and six days in the world.
I want baby to be born here,
where it's peaceful, with a mid-wife.
- A mid-wife?
- I don't wanna die in a hospital, Daddy.
Oh, don't ever make me go back,
I don't wanna be her ever again.
I escaped with my life, but just barely.
(squealing)
C'mon!
(laughing)
- I already told you, my wife is not interested
in movies at this present time.
- [Agent on Phone] "Some Like It Hot",
is a very special project.
They written it especially for Marilyn.
They're offering a minimum of 100 thousand.
- We appreciate the offer.
But my wife is expecting our baby in December.
I can't talk now.
(phone slamming down)
(book clicking shut)
(seagulls crying) (car engine humming)
- Daddy, I'm sorry, honest,
but it was so exciting, I got this letter
when I went to the post office from my father.
And I just went to that little cafe,
you know, and I just sat there,
and I read it over, and over,
and I watched the birds, and the waves,
and the ice cream melted in my car,
because I left all the groceries in.
- Who's Cass?
- What?
- It was in one of your books,
"The Actor's Handbook", and "The Actor's Life".
It was an inscription.
- Oh, Cass, well, that was a long time ago.
- I'd just like to know, you know,
how long were you with him, this Cass person?
- With him?
- Yeah.
- We palled around, Daddy, I don't know,
I'm not an adding machine, please don't start.
- Well, what do you expect?
I've been waiting for you all day.
Just been half-crazy with worry.
Is that blood on your pants?
- What?
- On your pants.
Are you miscarrying?
- Oh gosh, Daddy, it's raspberries,
I was eating raspberries, I guess I made a pig of myself,
please don't be so suspicious.
- I just want you to understand.
I, just, I've been worried.
I don't know where you were,
or what you've been doing.
- What would I be doing, hm?
- Okay, don't look so sad, just don't, here,
taste, taste, they're delicious.
Don't you wanna see my letter.
He says how much he loves me.
- It could be cruel prank.
- No, it's my father, I know it is.
And he's gonna make contact with me, in person.
(quirky music)
Daddy, Daddy, wake up.
Daddy--
- Uh, Norma.
- No, there's something in the cellar,
I can hear a baby crying in the cellar.
I can hear it, I can, can't you hear it?
- You're having a nightmare.
- No, I wasn't asleep.
I can hear it, there's something trapped down there,
please, can you just?
(mysterious soft music)
- There's nothing down here, Norma.
- Oh, Daddy, I guess you have
to hear more pregnant woman, huh?
(giggles)
You don't think I'm crazy, do you?
Oh, Daddy, please don't write about me.
- Let's go to bed.
(cats meowing)
Maybe you should stop feeding these cats.
I bought a, I don't want them to die.
Well, more and more will just keep showing up.
You can't feed the entire state.
- I know Daddy, you're right.
- You gonna be okay on your own here for a few hours?
- Of course, yeah.
I'm gonna write my mother, I thought I might ask her
to come and visit us.
- That would be lovely, I'd like to meet her.
(bell clangs)
(keys clicking) - Dear Mother.
I have heard from my father.
I've heard from my father.
I, someday, someday when baby's,
someday when baby is,
(seagulls crying)
"Eva can't bear that, any men might look upon her
"without desire, she can't bear to look in the mirror
"and see the lines in her face."
He's writing about me.
Oh my gosh.
- Norma?
(seagulls crying) (footsteps clicking)
Norma?
Oh my God, what happened?
- The baby, the baby.
I'm dying.
My baby.
(quiet, reflective music)
You lied to me.
You said you would never write about me.
- What are you talking about?
- The character in your new play.
- Darling, Ava is nothing like you.
She's a woman in her 50s.
I love you darling, I love you.
I would never, ever do anything to hurt you.
Listen to me, Norma, listen to me.
Listen to me.
The baby, we won't give up, we won't.
We'll try again, and again, and again.
- Oh, Daddy, why not just tell the truth for once, please?
(sobbing)
(footsteps clicking)
- Marilyn!
(door clicking shut)
How happy we are to have you back on the team.
- It was the cats.
The cats that I was feeding.
They're the ones that wanted baby dead.
- Marilyn?
- They were in the cellar making noises.
Trying to get me to come down the stairs.
It's all clear now.
Everything's so clear.
(reflective music)
- Just hold still, Miss Monroe.
This should get you through the dinner.
It might be good to have your husband here,
while you're working.
- No, I don't wanted to.
- Miss Monroe?
There's someone here to see you.
He said it's important, an Eddie G?
I think he's been drinking.
- Hi.
(quiet jazz music)
- How did you know where to find me?
- There's no secrets in Hollywood.
Norma, something's terrible has happened today.
Cass died.
- Cass?
- A hunting death, not a junkie death.
He was up in Topanga Canyon.
He left a momento for you.
- No.
- No, what?
- I don't want it.
I don't want--
The tiger.
One for the baby, why?
To MM in our life, your tearful father.
Cass was the one who wrote the letters from my father?
Cass?
You know you never wanted this baby.
Cass never wanted this baby.
Don't pretend, no, don't pretend.
You stay away from me.
- Norma!
- Stay away from me!
(excited squealing chatter)
Your little girl is so pretty,
she's so pretty you are.
Do you wanna ride the ferris wheel?
Can she?
- Can I?
- C'mon!
(excited squeals and giggling)
Take us up!
We're gonna go up! (giggling)
Isn't this fun? - This is fun!
(jazzy, bluesy music)
(giggles)
(yelping, giggling)
We're flying across the ocean, to China, like.
(giggling, squealing)
Oh, it's so pretty up here.
Do you know that I'm Marilyn Monroe?
(jazzy, bluesy music) (giggling)
We're slow, gonna stop.
(jazzy, bluesy music)
Do me a favor, darling?
Keep it forever, okay?
(jazzy, bluesy music)
- Look what she gave me!
(jazzy, bluesy music)
(surf pounding) (gulls crying)
(jazzy, bluesy music)
- I dreamt last night that I was pregnant with his baby.
(giggles)
- You mean the President's?
- It's just a dream, I'm never gonna be a mother.
Cause when your number is up, it's up.
(giggles)
Now, he is a man who knows how to make a woman
feel like a true woman, even with his bad back.
(giggles)
You know what I said to him after we were finished?
I said, if I was Castro, I'd be real afraid of you.
(giggling)
- You ought to be careful, Miss Monroe.
I know he can't leave her, his wife.
Even though he loves me,
it's Catholics, everything, phewf!
(giggles)
- That isn't what I meant, all of this,
could be dangerous.
- Yeah, all those little social security men
listening to our phone calls.
(giggling)
- Don't you mean Secret Service men?
- I'd better not make any wrong moves,
they might draw their guns, and shoot me.
(giggles)
I'm nervous.
(reflective music)
Takes longer and longer, maybe she'll refuse to appear.
(giggles)
Oh God, the studio's gonna fire me,
and I'm almost broke.
- No, no, Miss Monroe, they would never do that.
This is for the President, an honor of a lifetime.
- Honor, oh, they said, they'll pay for all my expenses,
the dress, and the plane, and everything, so here I am.
The President's wind-up sex toy.
(giggling)
Hang on a second.
(quiet music)
0kay, okay.
(reflective music)
(knocking on door)
- [Man] Miss Monroe?
How much longer?
We can't keep this audience waiting forever.
- Minutes, just a few minutes,
we're working, we're working.
- What if I forget the words?
- You can't forget the words to "Happy Birthday".
He thinks I'm so funny.
I told him I write my own lines,
and you know what he said?
He said, "Marilyn you have the nicest lines in show biz."
(giggles)
- She's coming, she's coming, she's almost here,
almost, Marilyn.
(giggling)
0h, gosh, I thought he was dead.
Just for a second there.
Promise me something?
After I'm gone,
you'll make Marilyn up, one final time?
- Miss Monroe, I will.
Now go out there and knock his socks off.
- Okay.
- Don't let me hear anybody say anything
against Miss Monroe,
I'll shove their teeth down their throats.
She was the only one of them that was human.
(crowd cheering and applauding)
(crowd whistling)
(giggling)
(reflective music)
(Multicom Jingle)