As the curtain rises on what has been dubbed “the summer of Marilyn,” British cultural institutions prepare to honour the centenary of one of cinema’s most iconic figures. Two major exhibitions in June will shine a light on Marilyn Monroe, not just as a glamorous star but as a dynamic force who reshaped the landscape of female stardom. The British Film Institute (BFI) and the National Portrait Gallery will both present their tributes, inviting audiences to delve deeper into the life and career of a woman whose legacy transcends the clichés often associated with her.
Reshaping Stardom
Marilyn Monroe is frequently reduced to a mere sex symbol or a tragic figure entangled in scandal. However, Kimberley Sheehan, the BFI’s lead programmer, asserts that Monroe was much more than that. “She was quite possibly the biggest star cinema ever saw and will ever see,” Sheehan declared, emphasising her multifaceted talents. With a career that spanned from her breakout role in *Ladies of the Chorus* (1948) to her final unfinished project, *Something’s Got to Give* (1962), Monroe proved herself a versatile performer, adept in both comedic and dramatic roles.
The BFI’s exhibition, *Marilyn Monroe: Self Made Star*, opens on 1 June and runs through the end of July. It features a curated selection of her most celebrated performances, organised into three thematic strands: *Star Attractions*, showcasing her musicals and comedies; *Dramatic Turns*, highlighting her more serious roles; and *Scene Stealers*, focusing on her smaller yet pivotal appearances.
“Viewers can expect to witness the captivating energy she brought to films like *Gentlemen Prefer Blondes* and *How to Marry a Millionaire*, alongside the profound emotional depth displayed in *The Misfits*,” Sheehan noted. “Even her smaller roles, like in *All About Eve*, reveal the range and nuance she possessed.”
The Myth Versus the Artist
The BFI is keen to invite audiences to rediscover Monroe as a pioneering creative artist rather than a mere cultural icon. While her public persona has often overshadowed her professional accomplishments, the BFI aims to reframe the narrative. Monroe was not only a performer but also a shrewd businesswoman who fought against the constraints of the studio system, advocating for better scripts and ultimately becoming the first woman to establish her own production company since the silent film era.
A highlight of this celebration is the re-release of *The Misfits*, Monroe’s final completed film, which will be shown in cinemas across the UK and Ireland. Directed by John Huston and scripted by her then-husband Arthur Miller, the film paints a poignant picture of loneliness and disillusionment against the backdrop of the Nevada desert.
“Monroe’s image has often overshadowed her actual work,” Sheehan remarked. “To many, she is an icon first and a performer second. They might know the gossip and tragedies but not the films. It’s essential to revisit her performances, especially in an era where her image is commodified and endlessly recycled.”
A Portrait of Influence
Simultaneously, the National Portrait Gallery will host *Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait*, running from June to September. This exhibition will feature works from some of the most renowned artists and photographers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including iconic pieces by Andy Warhol and Richard Avedon. It aims to explore Monroe’s role in crafting her own image and the enduring impact she has had on visual culture.
Visitors will encounter previously unseen photographs from Life magazine, capturing intimate moments from her life at home in Brentwood, California, taken just a day before her untimely death in August 1962. This exhibition not only reflects Monroe’s collaborative approach to image-making but also her insistence on creative control—she was not merely a subject but a director of her own narrative.
“One of the greatest things she ever did was create the persona of ‘Marilyn Monroe’,” Sheehan said. “Yet, this was also a significant challenge, as she spent much of her later career striving to break free from that image. She wanted to reinvent herself in a way that was rarely accepted during the 1950s.”
The Legacy Lives On
Marilyn Monroe’s legacy remains a pivotal point of discussion in contemporary culture. As Sheehan pointed out, today’s stars like Taylor Swift and Madonna, who successfully navigate reinvention, stand in stark contrast to the limitations faced by Monroe. “If she were alive today, she could easily have been a figure like Margot Robbie—an actress with immense power over her image, as well as a capable producer,” she speculated.
The forthcoming exhibitions at the BFI and National Portrait Gallery offer a timely reminder of Monroe’s artistic contributions and the complexities of her life. They encourage us to look beyond the surface and appreciate the depth of her work, urging audiences to engage with her films anew.
Why it Matters
Marilyn Monroe’s centenary is not merely a celebration of a bygone star; it is an opportunity to critically reassess her impact on film and popular culture. In an age dominated by celebrity culture, where images are commodified and often stripped of their context, revisiting Monroe’s artistry offers valuable lessons. It challenges us to acknowledge the struggles and triumphs of women in the industry, reminding us that behind the glamorous façade lies a woman who fought to define her own narrative. Monroe’s story resonates even today, serving as both an inspiration and a cautionary tale about the complexities of fame and the relentless pursuit of authenticity.
