Marilyn Monroe, one of the most iconic figures in Hollywood history, was much more than the “dumb blonde” image that Hollywood often painted her as.
While she starred in numerous films that cemented her status as a sex symbol, her final film, The Misfits (1961), was her attempt to shed that image and pursue more serious roles.
Unfortunately, it also coincided with a turbulent time in her life, marked by her crumbling marriage to playwright Arthur Miller and her ongoing battles with personal demons.
The Strain of Monroe’s Personal Life
Monroe’s marriage to Arthur Miller, which was once seen as a hopeful union between a Hollywood starlet and a celebrated playwright, began to unravel during the filming of The Misfits.
Miller wrote the script specifically for Monroe, but their relationship became increasingly strained as the couple’s personal issues surfaced. Their marriage, which had already faced significant challenges, broke down during the production of the film, and they divorced shortly before its premiere.
Michael Arnold, Eve Arnold’s grandson, spoke to Fox News Digital about the emotional toll Monroe experienced during this period. “Marilyn was really struggling at the time, and struggling for several reasons,” he explained. “Partly because her marriage to Arthur Miller was breaking down… but also because she had created this persona.
She had this fantasy of what she wanted to be, and I think she got to the point in her career where she started to realize that, ultimately, it wasn’t going to fulfill her in the way that she hoped it would.”
A Desire to Break Free from Her S*x Symbol Persona
Monroe’s desire to move beyond the “blonde bombshell” image was evident in her efforts to embrace roles that showcased her range as an actress. The Misfits was one such opportunity.
The film’s director, John Huston, was known for his ability to draw out more serious performances from actors, and Monroe hoped that working with him would help her transition into more respected roles.
However, the filming process was far from smooth.
Monroe’s emotional state, combined with her struggles with prescription pill addiction and mental health issues, made it difficult for her to consistently perform at her best.
Reports from the set indicate that she often arrived late, missed entire days of shooting, and struggled with her lines, which caused her frustration.
Monroe’s Vulnerability and the Public Perception
Despite the internal turmoil, Monroe’s desire to be more than just a “dumb blonde” remained at the forefront of her mind.
During a love scene with Clark Gable, Monroe, in a bid to add her own personal touch to the performance, unexpectedly exposed her bre*sts. This act was not part of the script but was Monroe’s attempt to make the scene more meaningful.
Huston, who allowed her to complete the scene as she saw fit, ultimately cut the footage from the final version of the film.
Monroe’s actions on set, including her decision to act boldly in the face of censorship, were a reflection of her internal struggle. “I love to do things the censors wouldn’t pass,” she once said. “After all, what are we all here for, just to stand around and let it pass us by?”
The Role of Eve Arnold’s Photography
One of the few people who truly saw Monroe as more than just her public persona was Eve Arnold, a close friend and photographer who spent years documenting Monroe’s life, both on and off the set.
According to Michael Arnold, his grandmother had a unique ability to get to know her subjects on a deeper level, forming close bonds with them.
This allowed her to capture the real Monroe, beyond the glamorous image that was often portrayed in the media.
Monroe and Arnold’s friendship began in the early 1950s and grew over the years, with Monroe often seeking Arnold’s support during times of personal crisis. During the filming of The Misfits, Monroe trusted Arnold, and the two shared a genuine connection. “When Eve arrived on the set of ‘The Misfits,’ Marilyn was in a very fragile state,” Michael Arnold said. “But she trusted Eve.
She felt Eve was someone she could be herself with.”
Monroe’s Legacy and Final Days
Monroe’s life was tragically cut short in August 1962, just a year after The Misfits was released.
Her death at age 36, under mysterious circumstances, shocked the world. In the months leading up to her death, she had expressed a desire to reinvent herself both personally and professionally.
She wanted to be taken seriously as an actress and was determined to escape the “dumb blonde” persona that had defined her career.
Through Eve Arnold’s lens, we get a glimpse into the true Marilyn Monroe—a woman who was more than her public image.
Monroe’s struggle to break free from her persona and find fulfillment in her personal life and career resonates with many who have faced similar challenges in reconciling their public and private selves.
In the years following Monroe’s death, her image continued to be used and commercialized, but her true essence—captured through Arnold’s photography—remains an important part of her legacy.
The book Marilyn Monroe by Eve Arnold not only honors the actress but also sets the record straight about who Monroe truly was beyond the glossy, glamorous image the world knew.
In many ways, Monroe’s story is one of profound contradiction—an iconic star whose beauty and talent were overshadowed by a society that demanded she fit into a specific mold.
Through her friendship with Eve Arnold and her efforts to redefine herself through The Misfits, Monroe’s story is one of complexity, vulnerability, and resilience.
It is a reminder that there was much more to Marilyn Monroe than the public persona that defined her life and career.