What I’m Watching: a compelling documentary about Marilyn Monroe

Date: 5/9/2022

On Netflix: “The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes”

Let’s face it, out of the legion of classic Hollywood stars few still have the name recognition as does Marilyn Monroe. If younger people today have never seen one of her movies, they certainly still know her name and recognize her face.

This new documentary, based on investigative journalist Anthony Summer’s 1985 biography of her, “Goddess, the Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe,” sheds new light on the life and death of the actress.

In this case, Summer’s original audiotapes on interviews he did are the center of this production. Summers is seen on screen as the narrator who keeps the story moving forward. He says he conducted 1,000 interviews for his book and, indeed, it would seem his efforts are exhaustive.

He spoke not just to friends, but also to career associates and the family of the psychiatrist who treated her.

There have been a lot of rumors associated with Monroe’s tragic death. Was she murdered or did she commit suicide? Or was it an overdose of prescription drugs?

There was no suicide note to add any clarity.

The documentary certainly pushes the conclusion away from the theory of murder, but it does very much establish a link between the movie star and President John Kennedy and his brother the attorney general, Robert.

The concept is that two of the most powerful people in American politics – brothers, no less – were both intimate with the same woman.

The film builds methodically in its story. Monroe, according to many of those interviewed, was a woman who was smart and talented and wanted to push boundaries in her career. Her co-star Jane Russell stressed her intelligence, which might seem counter to the public persona of the blonde bombshell.

The Monroe that film shows is a young woman who had a terrible childhood in and out of foster homes and orphanages. She certainly was seeking love and affirmation but her marriages to baseball great Joe DiMaggio, as well as award-winning playwright Arthur Miller, ended in divorce.

Her efforts to be a mother were also unsuccessful and her final affair with Robert Kennedy was particularly sad.

Ultimately this film is about the power of perception and public persona as it falls into conflict with a real person with real needs.

I was left with a “what if?” What if she hadn’t died at that time? Would she have finally found fulfillment?

Naturally, we will never know.

If you are interested in this documentary, I would strongly recommend taking the time to see some of her films. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and “How to Marry a Millionaire” are on Hulu. “Some Like it Hot,” “River of No Return” and “Seven Year Itch” are available through Vudu. “The Misfits” can be seen on the Roku Channel and Pluto.

Or check out the DVDs at your local library for these titles.

Quick recommendation

I’m in the middle of “The Offer” on Paramount+ and so far it’s one heck of a story. The limited series depicts how “The Godfather” was made from the perspective of its producer Al Ruddy.

Now, I don’t know at this point how accurate is the series, but so far, it’s a juicy, fascinating ride. I love how Francis Ford Coppola is an insecure twerp at times.

I’ll hold my final opinion until the end, but it’s a lot of fun so far.