Fabulous vintage matte-finish 5 x 7 candid photo of Marilyn Monroe in a half-length, front-facing pose, showing her at the movie premiere of East of Eden, which took place at the Astor Theatre in New York City on March 9, 1955, signed nicely by the actress in black ink. In very fine condition. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder.
As quoted from Donald H. Wolfe’s 1998 biography The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe: ‘Marilyn consented to be an usherette at the Actor’s Studio benefit and world premiere of East of Eden, starring James Dean. With the news of Marilyn’s participation the benefit was an instant sellout. The magic name of Monroe caused a run on tickets, which were being scalped at triple their sales price. One of the crowd at the Astor Roof who was anxiously waiting to see the usherette was Arthur Miller, who had attended the Actor’s studio benefit with his sister, actress Joan Copeland. Marilyn had been very much on Miller’s mind. He stated, ‘I no longer knew what I wanted – certainly not the end of my marriage, but the thought of putting Marilyn out of my life was unbearable.’’
From pages 77-78 of Elizabeth Winder’s 2017 book Marilyn in Manhattan: Her Year of Joy: ‘March 9, 1955. Gladstone Hotel, 7 p.m. East of Eden pre-miere. Fishtail sheath in biscuit brocade. Exposed shoulders, fox fur wrap, white opera gloves. By now she's learned the magic of fabrics. Taupes and creams near the face to set off her pneumatic skin. Silk fawn collars, sanded satin. Dozens of buff kid gloves. She keeps the dusting of fuzz that covers her face-side effect from Laszlo's hormone cream for its soft focus glow. (Elizabeth Taylor shaves hers off.) She daubs her cheekbones with Vaseline. Not that she needs it—the temperature has spiked into the mid-60s. Will she sweat through her heavy brocade? Does she even need her fur wrap? She peeks out the window—wooden police horses flank the exit. Milton and Amy wait in the limousine parked curb-side. (Amy like a dainty Lara in her black fur hood, Milton adorably childish in his dinner suit, a boy playing dress-up.) John Steinbeck will be there—what will she say to this gruff imposing man?—she loves Tortilla Flat. Director Elia Kazan will be there with his wife. Milton Berle will be there with his wife. And has anyone guessed about her and Brando? She's already late—she's supposed to usher with Marlon—will he be annoyed? (He will be annoyed, and he will forgive her.)’
The Marc and Mary Perkins Collection.
