BEAUTY....FROM WITHIN

THE  MORE  I  READ  ABOUT  MARILYN  MONROE [AND  I  HAVE  A  NUMBER  OF  BOOKS  ON  HER  LIFE]  THE  MORE  I  AM  PROFOUNDLY   PLEASED  AT
HER  BEAUTY  FROM  WITHIN.

SHE  ONCE  SAID,  "I'M  PRETTY  BUT  NOT  BEAUTIFUL"  --  SHE  WAS  TALKING  ABOUT  HER  OUTWARD  LOOKS.  AND  MAYBE  MANY  COULD  RIGHTLY  ARGUE  THERE  WAS  AND  HAS  BEEN  MANY  IN  SHOW-BUSINESS  AS  PRETTY  LOOKING  AS  MARILYN.  BUT  FEW  FILM  STARS  HAVE  BEEN  BEAUTIFUL  FROM  WITHIN.

THE  LATEST  GREAT  BOOK [2012]  I  GOT  ON  MARILYN  IS  CALLED  "MARILYN  MONROE  -  Private  and  Confidential"  by  Michelle Morgan.  A  very  fine  book  indeed  for  the  private  part  of  her  life  with  quotes  from  various  people  that  came  into  contact  with  her.

HERE  IS  A  SAMPLE  OF  MARILYN'S  BEAUTY  FROM  WITHIN.

THE BEAUTY OF....MARILYN  MONROE....INSIDE SCOOP

The morning after the intruder incident, Marilyn phoned Lucille Ryman and John Carroll, the couple who had befriended her at the charity golf match, and who had been loaning her various sums of money since September 1947. When she relayed the intruder story to the couple, they were appalled and moved her into their home at 8497 Fountain Avenue, while they moved to their ranch in the San Fernando Valley.

"It was just wonderful," remembered Marilyn in 1952. 'It was the first nice place I'd ever had, and I felt really independent and sure that something good was going to happen to me.' Unfortunately,' although she enjoyed her new home, she still had trouble forgetting the intruder incident and Harry Lipton later recalled that she was rather afraid to live alone and was forever looking over her shoulder. As a result, she would often spend nights at the Ryman-Carroll ranch in the Valley, but was still haunted by the fact that several neighbours had refused to get involved during the intruder incident. According to Lipton, this brought back disturbing memories of her insecure childhood, and she became very upset as a result.

In spite of any memories of childhood traumas, Marilyn was still very much in touch with Grace Goddard's family and began taking afternoon coffee with Grace's sister, Enid Knebelkamp and her friend Catherine Larson. Catherine had first been introduced whilst Marilyn was walking barefoot around a flowerbed in the side yard. Now the three women met regularly at Enid's house, where Catherine quickly developed an opinion on the actress. According to friend James Glaeg, Catherine felt Marilyn to be 'worthy of admiration' but not brilliant, or beautiful. 'She was the kind you want to cuddle,' she told James, before adding that she had always wanted to take Marilyn aside and advise her to get out of the acting business, feeling that she would never make it in Hollywood. 'The surprise was on me,' she later admitted.

Marilyn's acting aspirations took a positive turn when she landed a part in the play, Glamour Preferred at the Bliss-Hayden Theater. Running from 12 October to 2 November, she was cast in the role of Lady Bonnie Towyn, a young actress who tries to stealthe main character's husband. The play, which was written by" Florence Ryerson and Colin Clements, wasn't particularly thrilling, but it did give Marilyn a chance to work in the theatre, and she shone in the part, prompting one of her co-stars to comment that when she walked onstage, no one noticed any of the other actors.

The play also gave her the opportunity to be properly introduced to Annabelle Stanford, a model and actress who had been on a photo shoot with Norma Jeane in Las Vegas, and had also dated Bill Pursel's brother Dick. She recalls: 'Dick had told me that I looked just like Bill's girlfriend, Norma Jeane and even photographers would often say the same thing. When I eventually met Marilyn, she was sat in an observation seat at Bliss-Hayden, and was introduced as a new cast member. I looked over and we both shouted, "It's you!" because we'd both been hearing how much we looked alike from the Pursel brothers. She was a charming, delightful woman with a wonderful sense of humour, and was well liked by people. I never heard anyone talking about her in a coarse way; there was nothing slutty about her; nothing trash. In fact no one I knew ever saw any trash in her. Any image of her being trashy was purely in a guy's dreams.' and the two women 'hit it off like sisters', according to Mrs Henderson's son,Timothy: 'My mother said that she was like a schoolgirl chum at lunch breaks and liked "getting away from Marilyn"' even for an hour. She remembered her complexion as being perfect and that she ate a lot.'.......

Despite having an aversion to the movie business, Joe DiMaggio travelled occasionally to Niagara in order to be with his girlfriend, and together they would travel seven miles or so to a secluded restaurant called Shimshacks, where they dined quietly and even agreed to be photographed together on at least one occasion. When Joe could not be with her, she spent some of her free time eating out with her fellow cast members, in restaurants including the Red Coach Inn, where local man Joseph Jacob worked. He remembered: 'We gave the screen stars some privacy and kept an area of the restaurant closed so they could enjoy some quiet time without interruption. As you might guess, people followed Marilyn Monroe everywhere she went, wanting to sit in the seat she was in, wanting the napkin she used, asking what did she order, etc. I had the privilege of serving Marilyn that afternoon, and it was a day I'll not soon forget. I say this because that day I didn't meet Marilyn Monroe, I felt that I met a beautiful, statuesque vision of what God intended a woman to look like. She could have been wearing a potato sack and had curlers in her hair and it would not dull her beauty, which I found to be both inside and out.

'I had the fortune of speaking to Miss Monroe directly that day while the others walked in the lobby and the outdoor patio taking in the view. I found her to be nothing of the glamour queen we portrayed her as, but more the down-to-earth girl we all wish superstars to be. She drank a vodka martini, and although we spoke casual conversation she did ask if I could imagine knowing a thousand people and not having any friends. This chance meeting with Marilyn. Monroe showed me that under all of the glitz and glamour beats the heart of one person, one single person, that gets happy, sad, frustrated and lonely. Just like the rest us.'

Mrs DiMagglo

By the time Marilyn reached San Francisco, she was feeling worse than ever, and was put to bed by DiMaggio's sister Marie, who still lived in and looked after the family home. A relative of Joe's ex-wife Dorothy Arnold recalled: 'She cooked, cleaned, etc. as Joe wouldn't spend money to pay someone. I didn't know her but I was told she was a dear lady, waiting on him hand and foot.'

Once Marilyn moved into the home, Marie also began caring for her too and soon warmed to her new house guest: 'She's just like Joe,' she told reporter Alice Hoffman in 1954. 'They were made for each other. I know it sounds corny but it's true.'

Marilyn settled into DiMaggio's world easily, enjoying the company of his family and taking part in pursuits he enjoyed, such as fishing with his brother,Tom, who later recalled: 'Marilyn was tops. Never a peep or a complaint out of her. When I came home that night my wife Lee said, "What do you think of Joe's girlfriend?" And I say, "Funny thing. She's just like Joe. She's quiet and plain and shy and I like her very much.'"

She also integrated herself into the general running of the Beach Street home, and enjoyed simple pleasures such as washing Joe's car and making breakfast for the household, including coffee (although she herself drank tea and milk), freshly squeezed orange juice, and bacon and eggs. 'She's really very handy in the kitchen,' remarked Marie DiMaggio. 'I knew she was a good girl the first time Joe brought her up. Right away she was helping with the dishes.'......

On 28 January Marilyn was vaccinated by Dr Clifton Bennett, in order that she could travel with DiMaggio to Japan for his coaching trip. That evening she somehow broke her thumb, the cause of which has never been fully known. When the couple left San Francisco International Airport the following day, they were almost late as Marilyn was having the thumb bandaged and splinted. When reporters caught sight of it as she tried to hide it in her coat, they immediately asked what happened. 'I just bumped it against the door,' she said. Joe was there. He heard it crack.' This could be the truth, but over the years many writers have blamed DiMaggio for it, claiming that he had become violent towards his wife from early in their marriage. Certainly, a relative of Joe's first wife, Dorothy Arnold, believed this story: Joe was extremely possessive of Dorothy; also Marilyn. He once broke Marilyn's finger [sic] on their trip to Japan— it is very clear in some of the Korean tour pictures.'

After a quick stopover in Honolulu, the couple were flown to Tokyo, where they were greeted by literally thousands" of fans and reporters, so much so that they were unable to leave the plane by the main exit. Instead, they had to leave via the baggage door on the side of the plane, although even that didn't stop a stampede, with some enterprising fans climbing on top of their car for a better look.

Although Marilyn had been surrounded by fans in the past, this was the first time she had ever been mobbed in such a way and she was terrified. 'These people, they're mad!' she was heard to cry, as she was hustled into the car, en route to the Imperial Hotel, along with Joe's friend and fellow baseball expert Frank 'Lefty' O'Doul and his wife. When they reached the hotel there were even more riots, with people falling into the hotel pond, trying to break down the doors and even scaling the walls. Finally, the police dragged fans away and the honeymooning couple were able to enter the hotel, where they held a press conference in the Treasure Room.

Once the fans and media had calmed down somewhat, the couple were able to spend some of their time visiting quiet areas such as Kawana, a fishing village where they were photographed meeting the locals. Shortly after, DiMaggio headed south to fulfil his coaching job, along with Lefty O'Doul. Meanwhile, Mrs O'Doul stayed in Japan to keep Marilyn company, and on 7 February they both visited the US Army Hospital in Tokyo.

During the visit Marilyn met countless injured GIs, signed autographs and posed for photographs. One of the soldiers, Corporal Donald Wakehouse, had his cast signed by the star, but later insisted that his wife back home looked better to him than Marilyn did. However, another GI, Corporate Allison Ittel was thrilled to meet the visiting film star, as he remembered fifty-seven years later: 'I found out what time she was to be on the sunroof and went up. We all lined up and she was late as usual, but when Marilyn came in through the doorway she was just beautiful. She did a little skip - kind of a dance - with quick motions and a little song and came down the line to greet us.

'When she got to me I congratulated her on her marriage to Joe DiMaggio and then I went through the doors back into the hospital. Someone grabbed me and told me to go with them, and then suddenly Marilyn was there and linked arms with me. There were photographers everywhere, and Marilyn asked me what my name was and where I was from. I told her I was from Minnesota, twenty-five miles away from Indianapolis and she said, "Oh I went to visit my best friend Jane Russell up there and it was beautiful." We talked for a while and I asked where Joe was. She told me he was playing baseball and seemed disgusted by that. I got the feeling she felt he should have been up there with her.'

Later that day, having cheered up the patients at the hospital, Marilyn was sent to bed with a stomach bug. However, that didn't stop her making plans to travel to Korea to entertain the thousands of US troops that were, stationed there, a surprising decision that had been made on the way to Japan: 'I hadn't expected this. I didn't bring the right clothes,' she was heard to say.

On 16 February, Marilyn began her Korea tour, which involved singing a set of songs, accompanied by a band called Anything Goes, who had already been touring the Far East for three months. One member, Don Obermeyer, remembered the experience well: 'Since I was the show manager, I was introduced to Marilyn Monroe and Joe, and was told that our group "was going" back to Korea, after a week's rehearsal in Osaka, Japan. My first impression of Marilyn and Joe was very pleasant. They were both very friendly. At the rehearsal, Marilyn was so very cooperative. She had never seen an upright mike, as she was used to "boom" mikes in Hollywood. It was pretty funny, but we got her trained on the PA system. She was so easy to get along with!! Marilyn never really mentioned her private life but on the way from Osaka to Korea, she excused herself from. the "brass" in the front of the plane, and sat down with each one in the show group and asked about where we lived before going into service and about our lives growing up! She was very personable and [it was] a surprising move on her part. We all appreciated her interest in "us".

By the time Marilyn began the first show in Korea, it was snowing, but even so she appeared in a purple evening gown, and later claimed that she didn't even notice the snow falling around her. 'In fact,' she said, 'it melted away almost before it touched my skin. That was the happiest time - when the thousands of soldiers all yelled my name over and over.'

Marilyn performed several songs, including 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend' and 'Kiss Me Again', and joked and talked with the GIs in the crowd. One of them, Don Loraine, remembered: 'I was a young Marine in Korea. Marilyn came out dressed in a heavy parka. She started to sing; suddenly stopped and said, "This is not what you came to see," and took off the parka. She was dressed in a low-cut purple cocktail dress. She was so beautiful, we all went wild, and I might add it was colder than hell that day. She brought a lot of joy to a group of combat-weary Marines and I for one will never forget her.'

The shows were a huge success, and on at least one occasion Marilyn created such a stir.that the troops caused a near riot. She gave it her all, as Don Obermeyer remembered: 'Marilyn did not appear to be nervous before or after each performance, except a few times she messed up some of the lyrics, but recovered! She was always greeted by a wildly energetic bunch of GIs, and time perrnitting she would stand in front of the stage, talk to them and let them take snapshots. At the end of each day of performances, she was swept off to the Officers Club. From the very first day on tour, she insisted that her "bunch of guys" would go with her!' 

Despite being exhausted from appearing before 100,000 servicemen in just four days, Marilyn found time on the last day to give a heartfelt speech, declaring that she had never felt like a movie star before, until her trip to Korea. She added, 'Now I'm flying back to the most important thing in my life - Joe. And I want to start a family. A family comes before a career.'

On her return to Japan, Marilyn excitedly told DiMaggio, 'Joe, you never heard such cheering,' to which he replied, 'Yes I have.' This cutting put-down was made worse by the fact that the freezing conditions had given her not just a bronchial condition but pneumonia too. By the time they arrived in the United States, Marilyn wearily told reporters, I'm ill and just want to go to bed.' The tour had ended; she was back to reality.....

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NOW  I  SUBMIT  TO  YOU,  THAT  MARILYN  SHOWED  REAL  HONEST

DOWN-TO-EARTH  ATTITUDE  TO  PEOPLE,  KIND,  PERSONAL,  GIVING

TILL  IT  HURT [EVEN  MAKING  HER  SICK  IN  BED].  HOW  MANY  FILM

STARS  WOULD  DO  THAT  TODAY,  MY  GUESS  IS  NOT  MANY  AT  ALL

REMINDS  ME  OF  THE  DOWN-TO-EARTH  ATTITUDE  OF  ROY  ROGERS

TOWARDS  PEOPLE,  AND  ALL  THAT  HAS  BEEN  WRITTEN  ABOUT

THAT  SIDE  OF  ROY  IN  A  NUMBER  OF  BOOKS  I  HAVE.

SO  WHEN  NEAR  THE  NEW  YEAR  AND  YOU  SEE  THE  CALENDARS  OF

MARILYN  FOR  2014,  YOU'LL  NOW  KNOW  BEHIND  THAT  OUTWARD

APPEARANCE,  WAS  A  GENUINE  BEAUTIFUL  PERSON  FROM  WITHIN.

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