|
Nothing
says glamourous Hollywood fete like an exclusive opening night reception for
Marilyn Monroe: The Exhibit, honoring Marilyn's birthday and the 50th
anniversary
 | | Marilyn Impersonator |
of her passing. On May 30th the Hollywood Museum held a
red carpet event bringing back classic Hollywood sophistication, and just the
right amount of razzle-dazzle. Class and elegance were definitely the theme at
this special engagement preview, showcasing never-before-seen photos of
arguably the most famous pop culture icon in film history: Ms. Marilyn Monroe.
The exhibit which runs from June 1st through September 2nd
touts the largest collection of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, and the work of
world-renowned photographer George Barris who took the last snapshots of the
legend before her untimely passing. Barris was also the guest of honor that
evening celebrating his 90th birthday, which is a milestone in
itself, not to mention showcasing such a deeply intimate look at the legend for
the first time ever.
Stopping
traffic in true Marilyn fashion just outside the Museum doors, was a living red
carpet! Greeting A-listers at the end of their walk was a gorgeous gal covered
in gleaming jewels, sassy red hair to match, and standing about 7 feet tall.
This sizzling hostess' plush red velvet gown flowed right into and became the
red carpet itself as fans of all ages came sauntering in. One of the first to
arrive was 19-year-old singer and actress, Selena Gomez. Actress Kathleen
Hughes who worked as Marilyn's stand-in also made a brief and early appearance,
and famed celebrity artist LUDVIC whose paintings of Marilyn are also on
display at the exhibit. Another flash from the classic Hollywood past was
actor-singer-dancer George Chakiris, who performed alongside Marilyn Monroe in
her "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" number from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953).
Chakiris had nothing but kind words to say of her and fondly recalled that “she
was just sweet to everyone she met.”
Marilyn
was no ordinary woman, and so in keeping attendees were treated to a little bit
of that classic film star glitz and glamour that she will always be remembered
for. Waiters in tuxedos stood at attention offering guests signature Akvinta
martinis, complete with cheeky names and bold colors. My favorite was the spicy
“Some Like it Hot” martini, made with: vodka, passion fruit, fresh lemon juice,
simple syrup, and a slice of fresh jalapeño pepper as a garnish! Two other signature martinis and endless
trays of caviar appetizers were passed to guests on their way into Max Factor's “For Blondes Only” makeup room, where Monroe's
iconic blonde bombshell look was created. Here are the drink recipes I
snagged for those devoted Marilyn fans
out there who want to celebrate too:
The flirty “Happy Birthday Mr. President”
2 oz Akvinta Vodka
 | Young Marilyn: Photo
from Hollygrove
Orphanage |
½ oz Campari
1 oz Fresh grapefruit juice
The chic “Diamonds are a Girl's Best
Friend”
2 oz Akvinta Vodka
1 oz Lillet Blanc
3 oz white grape juice
After exploring the first floor an usher
lead guests into an enormous freight elevator, which must have originally been
used when the museum was still the old Max Factor building. On this night,
however, the elevator functioned as a swanky little wine bar which was also
screening clips from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes on the wall above (1953).
When those enormous freight doors opened to the 2nd floor, guests
were enticed with more Marilyn inspired luxury.
If
you had managed to avoid the extravagant delicacies on the way up, there was no
point in fighting it now! I think Marilyn would agree that it just wouldn't be
a celebration without bubbly, and there before us was an actual sparkling
wine bar! Moreno BHLV's sparkling wines are poured from glittering swarovski
crystal embossed bottles. Their pink tinted Rose Prive' quickly became the
crowd favorite, and to keep attendees from getting too tipsy they provided
fresh jumbo shrimp and mashed potatoes in copious amounts. The potato station
was adorned with all the fixings that one could fit into a martini glass. This
was certainly a more fun and posh take on a baked potato, which I have since
learned was another one of Ms. Monroe's food favorites. For dessert (as if
there was some kind of limit on how much indulgence could be too much),
a cake honoring Mr. Barris' 90th birthday was brought out, and some
lovely wines to pair it with were readily on hand. Guests could opt for
varietals from the Marilyn Merlot Silver Anniversary Edition, or a soft yet
zesty Sauvignon Blonde. I hear they have more fun, so I went with the sauvignon
blonde and imagined a Monroe like version of “Happy Birthday” as the crowd sang
to Mr. Barris.
 | | White Gown from The
Prince and the Showgirl |
Even
in the haze of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, the exhibit speaks volumes and
leaves you with the most enchanted and lasting impression. Marilyn Monroe's
fame and beauty are often used to tell a one-sided story, leaving the woman
behind the image overlooked. After the soiree ends and the final guests have
been ushered out for the evening, what remains is the most stunning and
comprehensive retrospective of the life and work of one very determined and
unforgettable woman. The more rare items are worth their weight in cinema gold,
but altogether they authentically highlight Marilyn's true day-to-day life and
career accomplishments amidst personal hardships. On exhibit for the first time
ever: Marilyn Monroe’s bedroom dresser, which was next to her bed the night she
died. Original works of art by famed celebrity artists Robert A. Delgado and
LUDVIC, original photographs, including the legendary “red velvet” nudes shot
by Tom Kelley, and a vast photograph collection of her childhood, family, and
early modeling career when she was still Norma Jeane Baker. Last, but most
certainly not least in this treasure trove of remembrances, are the photo
installations of Mr. George Barris.
The
exhibit boasts one of the most elaborate collections to date, but it is truly
Mr. Barris' work that shall we say... takes the anniversary/birthday cake. From
one Marilyn devotee to another, I can say that his introspective peek into her
short but spirited life is filled with the same poised vibrance that she embodied so well. The exhibit brings her
story to life starting at the very beginning. We are not just invited to see
those final snapshots taken by the author and photographer of “Marilyn: Her
Life in Her Own Words,” but the viewer is welcomed into a world of moments
frozen in time between two very dear friends. “She was in great spirits her
final days” he wrote. “But no matter how she died, we all lost her too soon.”
The prints chosen by Mr. Barris juxtaposed quotes from the biography they were
writing together are hauntingly beautiful. If there could be any other star
shining brighter in the room that night than Marilyn, that kind of lasting
friendship comes pretty darn close. If you’re a Marilyn Monroe fan 2012 is your
year, and Marilyn Monroe: The Exhibit is where you want to be.
Marilyn Monroe: The Exhibit runs June 1st
- September 2nd 2012
 | | George Barris celebrates 90th Birthday |
 | Actor George Chakiris on the red carpet
|
|