Original subtitles

All those who wish to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour,

please come to the railing and be comforted.

The Lord be with you.

Like it's the most natural thing in the world.

Nobody looks at me funny or gives it a second thought.

I have this dream all the time.

There's never any sense of sin or shame in it.

Don't you just love being naked?

I know we just met, but would you like to go out on a date with me, Norma Jean?

- Uncle Ted Lewis is opening a show. - The Ted Lewis?

- Yeah. - Ted Lewis is your uncle?!

Wow! God, Eddie, I'd love to go!

- Really? - Yeah! My heart is beating so fast!

Can you feel it?

God!

It's like having our own private swimming pool. And to think they pay you for this.

Yeah, $80 a week just to sit in that lifeguard's tower over there.

The best part by far

is that Miss Emeline Snively's Blue Book Modelling Agency is located in the lobby.

I'll tell you a secret, Mr Edward Jordan.

I don't intend to be a bathing suit model for much longer.

A year from now, I'm going to be a famous actress.

Bigger than Betty Grable and Jean Harlow put together.

I'm gonna be so damn famous, nobody'll be able to touch me!

My husband has always discouraged me.

He says a thousand beautiful girls in Hollywood are looking for work.

Where is your husband, Norma Jean?

Overseas... where he belongs.

He was recalled to duty in the Pacific. He's OK, but I don't feel anything for him.

I suppose I'll have to do something about it one of these days.

God, I want this feeling to last for ever!

Is everybody happy?

Eddie, that's Errol Flynn! Look over there, he's standing up!

It is, it's really him! He is so dreamy!

Let me borrow your pen, will you? That's gotta be Orson Welles!

- Where? - Over there by the exit!

- That's not Orson Welles. - Eddie, I am having a wonderful time!

And I just love your uncle! He reminds me of you. He's so commanding, he's so sexy!

Just me...

Well, he's a great entertainer, sure, but sexy? The man's 58 years old.

- You said you'd introduce me. - Yeah.

Next time he's here, we'll go out on the town.

Let's go backstage and talk to him after the show.

I wanna shake his hand. I wanna finally meet a real star.

There's a lot of commotion back there. Weird people hanging around.

- Not the best way to get to know someone. - Do I embarrass you, Eddie?

God, no!

Mr Lewis, I am so thrilled. You are my favourite entertainer of all time.

I wanna tell you how much I admire you for dancing with a negro.

I don't know how long you're in town, but I'm in a play at the Cast Theatre.

It's "Awake And Sing" by Clifford Odets. Great play, very political.

- I got the second lead... - Sure, sure.

If I have a chance, I'll stop by.

Here you go, kid.

It can be real tough starting out in showbiz. Hell, I oughta know!

- That's not necessary. - Come on! A big town, a gorgeous girl!

You need a little dough to have a good time.

Am I right? Am I right, boychick?

There! Is everybody happy?

You know what, Eddie?

I got my final divorce papers today. I am officially a free woman!

Free, white and 21!

I can't help myself! I feel like celebrating!

Yeah, well, then we've both got something to celebrate.

- You're pregnant! - Nope.

I've just signed a seven-year optional contract with Twentieth Century Fox!

- When were you gonna tell me? - At dinner over a bottle of champagne.

It's up for renewal every six months.

$75 a week to start with, but it climbs every time they renew.

If they keep me around for the full seven years, I'm gonna get $1,500 a week!

Can you imagine? You'll be able to say you knew me when!

Eddie, that's great. That's really terrific.

Once I signed, I could join the Screen Actors Guild. Now I have my SAG card, too.

I'm up for my first part. Not much of a part, but it's a Dana Andrews movie...

Fuck your contract, Eddie! Fuck your contract, fuck your SAG card!

Fuck Dana Andrews and fuck you too!

- What is the matter? - Let me tell you something.

I don't have a Guild card or a contract. There's only one way to get them.

I'm gonna be in the movies if I have to fuck Bela Lugosi to get there.

You talk about being an actress, but you've never done a thing about it.

Wanna be an actress? OK, so act! It's work, Norma Jean!

Get into an acting class, learn the craft, work your way up like I did.

You think girls get contracts because somebody respects their talent?

I'll tell you how girls get contracts. They fuck the right people.

That's exactly what I'm gonna do, and I'm gonna be rich and famous and powerful

and you'll be able to say you knew me when.

Oh, Eddie! I really screwed it up, huh?

I said some pretty awful things and I'm sorry.

I'm so upset, I can't sleep.

You're not really mad at me, are you? I don't think I could take it if you were.

Say you're not mad at me.

- Eddie? - I'm not... really mad at you.

- It's that just sometimes you're like... - What am I like?

I don't know. Like two different people.

Both of us love you.

Don't just ditch me, Eddie.

Please don't... don't.

I won't. I'm not.

I...

I love you.

Ladies, Brown & Bigelow asked us to find a fresh face for their 1947 calendar.

They want a girl who embodies the spirit of the post-war woman.

No professional modelling experience necessary. The job pays $250.

- Your name, please. - Adrienne Wallingford.

I've never done any formal modelling, but I do have work experience.

- Really? - I was electrical supervisor at Lockheed.

- On the Liberator Bomber... - Hi, am I late? I'm Norma Jean Dougherty.

From the Blue Book Modelling Agency.

I was so afraid I was going to be late.

Could you... Would you mind zipping me up, please?

Thanks. You're sweet.

- Would you stand under the light, Miss... - Dougherty. Norma Jean Dougherty. Sure.

Is this how you want me?

Mr Jasgur lets us listen to Jack Benny when we work Sundays. Great, isn't he?

We present the Jack Benny Show starring Mary Livingston, Dennis Day, Rochester

and your host, the one and only Mr Jack Benny!

It's Donna's birthday and I wanna...

Gladys, honey, you'll find another job real soon.

I hear they're hiring neg cutters over at RKO.

Just leave me alone! Leave me alone!

Leave me alone!

Jesus loves me, this I know

'Cause the Bible...

Norma Jean?

Norma Jean... look at me for a second.

Your momma's sick, honey. She'll have to stay in the hospital a while.

So how's about you come and live with Doc and me?

- Just till she's better. - Why can't I go live with my daddy?

Do you know about your daddy?

Uh-huh. I have his picture. His name's Stanley.

Stanley Gifford. He lives in a dairy.

Ma says he's the handsomest man she's ever seen in her life.

Ma says if you squint your eyes, you'd swear he was Clark Gable.

You know that your daddy's very, very busy right now, don't you?

Why doesn't he ever come to see me?

He wouldn't have to bring me candy or toys or anything. Just come and say hello.

Come on, now, little lady. We're gonna have a good old time.

Just you and me and Gracie.

Come on.

Let's go pick up your things.

And then what does Harlow say to Ben Lyon?

She says, "I wanna be free, be gay, have fun!"

"Life's short, but I want to live when I'm alive!"

And "Dinner At Eight". What does she say in "Dinner At Eight"?

- To Marie Dresser? - Dress-ler.

She says, "You know, machinery is going to take the place of every profession."

And then what does Marie Dressler say?

"Oh, my dear, that is something you need never worry about!"

That's so good, that is perfect! Just perfect!

Baby, your momma's here.

Will you say hello?

Gladys.

All right, here we go.

Easy, Gladys. That's all right, it's all right. It'll be all right.

We'll set you down right there.

- Oh, my back. - It's OK, it's OK.

Isn't she pretty, Gladys?

Tell your momma what you're gonna be when you're grown up.

Say a movie star, baby.

Tell her you're gonna be a movie star! Gonna be our own Norma Jean Swanson!

Or maybe we'll call you Norma Jean Stanwyck! How'd that be?

Let's face it, girls, that wonderful guy in your house and mine is building your happiness

and the opportunities that will come to your children.

Split-level homes may be in style, but there is simply no room

for split-level thinking.

So when my Jim comes home from a hard day at the office,

our family room brings us closer together.

Is there more?

- What was your name again, miss? - Norma Jean Dougherty.

- Who sent you to us, Miss Dougherty? - The Blue Book Modelling Agency.

- Ever auditioned for radio work before? - No, not before. Never, no.

Miss Dougherty, you are to go back to the Blue Book Modelling Agency

and tell them they should send you out for print ads only.

They should not put you up for any job that entails reading, speaking, moving

or anything that might be construed as acting,

because you do not have even the slightest aptitude for it.

What...

Blonde hair photographs better.

It can be made to look light, medium or dark just by controlling the light.

That's why my biggest demand is for blondes.

If you wanna go places, honey, you've got...

- But, Emeline, it won't look natural. - What's so great about natural?

The good Lord spreads it around, chile. You've already lost the hair lottery.

It's going to look gorgeous, you'll see.

You'll feel like a different person.

You know, some women really look better blonde.

There. You just sit there and relax for a few minutes, OK?

- Now, would you like something to drink? - Sure.

I've got some Coke or some Tasty Orange.

Orange, Orange, Orange...

You should work in a hospital. Doc's a funny name for a cowboy.

Come on, little lady, let's ride!

Now, this is the way the gentleman rides! Gallop, gallop, gallop, gallop!

And this is the way the lady rides! Trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, trot!

And this is the way the farmer rides! Gallom-deloy, gallom-deloy!

Come on, honey, give your old Doc a kiss!

God, you're pretty!

Gracie, honey, we were just playin'!

This is Mrs Dewey. She's very nice. I think you're really gonna like her.

- But I'm not an orphan! - Hello, dear.

I think it's for the best. For a little while. Till Doc and me can work things out.

- Come inside, Norma Jean. - I don't belong here!

Meet the other girls.

Let go of me!

Don't leave me! No! Grace!

Aunt Grace!

- Hello? - May I speak to Stanley Gifford?

- Who's calling? - Norma Jean, his daughter.

Gladys Baker's girl.

Just a moment.

He says if you have any questions, you should call his lawyer in Los Angeles.

I'll give you the number. Do you have a pencil?

Bless you, bless you!

I'm Mary Louise Gifford, your father's wife, your stepmother.

I've travelled all the way from Hemet. Your father's in the hospital. He's dying.

His last wish was to see his daughter just one time before he meets his maker.

Tell him to call my lawyer.

Do you have a pencil?

- Absolutely perfect! - You look like a whole new woman!

Eddie! Eddie, take it easy over there. Somebody help him.

The two of you looked like some kind of burlesque skit!

- I'm not seeing him 'cause of how he looks. - No kidding? Who the hell is he?

Johnny Hyde. He's a very influential agent. Vice-president of the William Morris Agency.

- Yeah, I've heard of him. - He discovered Lana Turner.

He also represents Bob Hope and Rita Hayworth.

- Not to mention my Uncle Ted. - That's right.

Ted's the one who introduced us.

- You have been seeing Uncle Ted? - Sure, when he's in town.

- Why are you getting so upset? - Why?!

Because he's married, that's why! To my aunt!

I don't give a fuck about your uncle, but if he wants to help me,

and all he wants is for me to spend time with him and to be nice to him...

- How nice? - Eddie.

- You used Uncle Ted to get to Johnny Hyde. - Who are you to talk?

Are you telling me you didn't use him to get your SAG card and your contract?

He might have made some calls, but I didn't sleep with him!

I did! Big deal! Johnny Hyde is going to be the best thing that ever happened to me!

I mean, after you.

Eddie...

...what we have is real.

You know you're the only one I love.

I can't believe I just saw Eleanor Powell and Loretta Young.

- I'm having lunch next to famous stars. - You're gonna be bigger than all of them.

Thank you.

Whoa, whoa.

Who's that?

The goyish-looking one is Darryl Zanuck, Chief of Production at Fox.

Started as a writer at Warner Brothers. Wrote Rin Tin Tin movies.

The Greek guy next to him is Spiros Skouras. He's here from New York.

He's Chairman of the Board at Fox.

He grew up in a village in Greece. His family raised sheep. And now he's Zanuck's boss.

So a guy who wrote for a German shepherd is sucking up to a guy who was a shepherd!

Everybody's beholden to somebody else. Don't forget that.

- Can I meet them? - Right now you're the mystery woman.

Everybody in this room is dying to know who you are.

I wanna keep it exactly like that. So just trust me.

I do. You know I trust you, Johnny. You're the finest man I ever met.

Well... I have ulterior motives.

So do I.

What are those?

Nembutals.

I can't sleep without them any more.

These are Benzedrine. One to go up and one to go down.

Hope your doctor knows what he's doing. That stuff's dangerous.

Actually, your uncle sends them to me.

You're crazy! You wanna kill yourself?

I know what I'm doing and I know exactly what I need.

You're gonna have to take me the way I am, Eddie, or don't take me at all.

Most gals who pose are actresses. They don't like to give their real name.

- You can make up any name you like. - How about Margaret Truman?

Or what about Judy Garland?

Honey, I could tell you stories, believe me!

OK, Norma Jean, get ready.

OK... get in position.

- OK. I like it. - Nice.

- Hold it right there... and... Very good! - Great! Good.

- Yes. - Right in the camera.

- And... - Nice.

- This girl's gonna be a major star, Darryl. - Just look at these fairways.

Like velvet! Right in the middle of the desert! Hillcrest is a goat track by comparison!

- She has real flesh appeal. - Yeah?

I promise you, you haven't seen anything like this since Harlow.

Harlow was never Miss September. You got any film on her?

Not until you authorise a screen test.

Will you look at that? One in one and then I three-put!

I understand that Henry Hathaway needs some more prep time on "Northside 777".

I could call Jimmy Stewart, get him to agree to a two-week delay. Won't cost you a nickel.

All right, Johnny.

- Shoot your screen test. Black and white. - Colour.

Deal.

Johnny, they called me at Hillcrest. I came as soon as I heard.

I'd be lost without you, Johnny. You have to get better.

You have to. I know what you need.

What?

This.

Johnny...

I've fallen for her, Mozelle.

You've fallen for every blonde starlet you've ever represented, including me!

But you've never made a fool of yourself! The Morris office is talking about it!

Abe Lastfogel says you act like she's your only client!

Is this gonna be an ongoing thing?

I'm sorry, Mozelle.

I love her. I wanna marry her.

Well, maybe she'll let you. She's ambitious enough. But she doesn't love you, Johnny.

I don't care.

Then you deserve each other!

She's a bimbo. She's a one-line telephone operator.

- She's a walk-away funny waitress. - Darryl, you've been wrong before.

- Who hasn't? - She's a star.

From the neck down, but the girl has no chin. She's got a nose like a baked potato.

Let's have a blade.

After this, you'll hardly recognise yourself.

Contract players at Twentieth Century Fox are required to study at the actors' lab.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. You'll need a singing coach.

- You'll be paid $75 per week. - I know, I know!

Let's start with your name.

Norma Jean Dougherty is not a movie star name,

and that is the sad fact of it.

You remind me of someone.

- Did you ever hear of Marilyn Miller? - No.

She was a musical comedy star on Broadway in the '20s.

Funny... sexy as hell.

God, I was crazy about her!

Marilyn Dougherty?

What do you like? Anyone you particularly admire?

- How about Lincoln? - Too many "lins".

Besides, it should be alliterative. Maybe we should stay with American presidents.

- Marilyn Madison. - No.

Marilyn Monroe.

It has a nice round tone to it. What do you think?

Norma Jean?

Who?

Long live Marilyn Monroe!

You never really loved me.

You just thought it'd be fun to be in love with me, that's all.

It's true... Torvald.

When I lived at home... with Papa,

he always told me what he thought... about everything

so I never had any ideas...

Oh, dear, no. No, no, no, no. What comes next?

You never really loved me, Orville...

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to...

I don't belong here. I'm sorry.

- You OK, Norma Jean? - Don't call me that. I'm Marilyn.

Everybody's gone. You can come out now.

God, I was pathetic out there. Everybody else has talent. It's easy for them.

You're wrong, OK? It's not easy for anybody.

But they could all get up there and do it, they could all get up there and perform.

- I'll never be an actress. - All you need is some coaching, OK?

Every time you perform, you'll improve.

I'll work with you. We can rehearse together. We'll do scenes together.

You're great!

You're gonna be great.

- Promise? - I guarantee it.

I bet Johnny knows one of the best coaches in town!

Diction, diction, diction! You speak with your mouth closed!

I... did... not... want... to... pet... the... dear... soft... cat!

I did not want to pet the quick...

I'm so... It's not it, is it?

You have to know your lines backwards and forwards so you can throw away the words!

Speak the soul! If you arrive on the set unprepared, you are guaranteed to fail!

And if you fail, I will be crucified!

I'm sorry, Natasha.

I am trying to love you...

...but sometimes you make it so difficult.

You don't have to love me, Natasha, just teach me.

When you left, you broke my heart

Because I never thought we'd part

Every hour in the day, you will hear me say

Baby, won't you please come home?

Your vocal range is tiny, your volume is small and your phrasing is trite.

Altogether, it's pretty terrible... but not hopeless.

- It isn't? - No, you can carry a tune.

Not very far, but you can carry one. Sound engineers can bring up your volume.

You do manage to create the illusion that you know how to sing.

I do?

Yes...

Take the last verse again. Try and slow it down a little bit. Play with the rhythms.

Like this.

Every hour in the day

You will hear me say

Baby

Won't you please come home?

It's... It's called phrasing. Have some fun with it, all right?

Got it?

When you left, you broke my heart

Because I never thought we'd part

Every hour in the day

You will hear me say

- Baby... - Big finish now.

Won't you please

Come...

You... You move well.

This is the "Allegro Vivace". Can you hear it?

It's very gentle.

It builds.

And it builds!

- Good morning. - Hi.

Well, how was the concert?

- Inspiring. - I waited up all night for you.

Oh, no, Johnny, you need your rest.

I'll get my rest when I'm dead, which will be sooner rather than later.

I don't wanna hear that kinda talk.

- How can you be so cruel? - Because you let me.

- I'm going upstairs. You coming? - Marry me, baby. I'm crazy about you!

I know you are, Johnny. I wish I could feel the same way about you.

I mean, I love you, but I've never been in love with you. I never said I was.

Millions of women marry men they're not in love with.

Millions? Really?

- I had no idea. Is that just counting LA? - No. Don't joke with me, Marilyn.

Marriage is based on a lot of other things. It can be based on mutual respect, trust.

That wouldn't be fair to you, Johnny.

Besides, I've be even more of a joke than I am right now.

Good night, Johnny.

Good night.

- Feeling better, my dear? - Sure, just like the English Ch...

- Oh, no, not again! - Cut!

I'm sorry.

We'll try it again after lunch. That's lunch, everybody.

Thank you, dear.

Miss Davis, would you mind if I got some publicity stills?

Not at all.

Miss Davis, I think I'm screwing up out of nerves, working with you and all.

I've seen all your movies. You're such a talent. I've seen "Now Voyager" ten times.

As a kid, I went with my Aunt Grace to see "Jezebel".

I must have seen that movie a dozen times. I'd do all your monologues.

Not as well as you did them, of course, but I knew all of your lines by heart.

It's just an honour to be on the same set with you.

Thank you, dear. Now, get the fuck out of my shot.

Where did I get the idea I could turn you into an actress? You don't have it.

Who the hell was I kidding?

Don't leave me! No! Please!

I've made up hundreds of actresses,

but I've never experienced a metamorphosis quite like yours.

I get goosebumps every time.

Go get 'em, kid!

In just a few moments, Miss Baxter will be available for photographs...

What's the name of the chest that just walked in?

Listen, Darryl, I want you to consider using her for "Blondes". I hear she sings.

Sings? She barely speaks!

No, we're going with an established musical performer.

Opposite Jane Russell? She ain't Ethel Merman!

This girl's talent is... slight.

She gets 4,000 fan letters a week. More than Darnell and Hayworth.

She's on screen for two minutes and the audience stages a riot.

At a test screening of "All About Eve", she didn't get a screen credit,

but we got 300 comment cards back, 150 of them wanting to know who's the blonde.

Tell me, how come? Sweetheart! Darling!

Sweetheart, over here! Come sit next to me!

- Take a walk, kid. Amscray. - Yes, sir, right away.

- You look magnificent. - Thank you.

- Doll, do you have a picture coming up? - I don't know. You'll have to ask Mr Skouras.

How about a big smile?

I think it's time for us to renegotiate.

Russell's getting 100 thou and we're still capped off at 500 a week.

Jane Russell's a well-known star with an established track record.

Maybe so, but the picture is "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and she is not the blonde.

We want a large dressing room with...

- What was that? - Donna, get Dr Prinzmetal...

What's going on? Johnny? Johnny?

Johnny!

Johnny... Johnny, please wake up!

Please!

Told you she was a lousy actress.

Go to his house, round up her slutty clothes, dump 'em in the back yard and light a match.

Then call someone and have all the locks changed.

Get her outta here, even if you drag her!

We're just like a little family now, aren't we, Natasha?

But what if I don't want it to be over? I'm in love with you, Fred.

You cry too easily. It's because your brain isn't developed.

Compared to your bosom, it's embryonic.

- What does that mean? - Look it up.

Your mind is... inert.

You never think about anything. You float through life on that pair of water wings.

You'd be a terrible example for my children.

It wouldn't be right for them to be raised by a woman like you.

- But you're the only man I've ever loved. - Given your history, I'm sorry to hear that.

Was I supposed to love you? A man can't love a woman he feels no respect for!

Freddy!

You couldn't handle a family. And raise children? Forget it!

- You can't make it to the set before noon! - Shut up!

- You're not fit to be anybody's mother! - Shut up, shut up! Shut up!

No man will ever love me.

You're wrong, kid.

Once you learn to harness your power, every man in the world will adore you.

Just not the ones who know you personally.

Marilyn! Marilyn!

Over here, over here!

Marilyn! Marilyn!

Marilyn!

Marilyn... what have you done?

You foolish, foolish girl!

I am far too old for this!

She really needs someone like I to educate her.

They are coarsening you, making you into a buffoon!

It repudiates all the fine work we have done together!

It's a famous play. Carol Channing did the role on Broadway.

- Lorelei Lee is a great part. - Medea is a great part!

Lorelei Lee is a vacuous moron! You are an actress!

You should play Gretchen in "Faustus", you should play Portia,

you should play Ophelia!

I refuse to set foot on the lot! I will not be party to this profanity!

Please! Please, Natasha, please don't speak that way.

I do want to play those roles someday, and Grushenka too.

Grushenka. Accent on the first syllable, please.

I have to be more established first.

I'm so scared. You don't know how scared I am.

I have these voices in my head and some days I feel like I'm about to explode.

I can't do it without you.

I need you to be there.

I'll do anything you want. Just tell me.

Tell me what you want me to do.

A man being rich is like a girl being pretty.

You might not marry a girl just because she's pretty, but doesn't it help?

- If your daughter wanted to marry... - Cut!

What the...

- Continue to roll? - No, no.

You don't yell "cut" because you are not the director.

She botched the line. And do not take that tone with me!

- I studied with Reinhardt! - Really?

Well, you must have flunked! I want you off my set and don't come back.

Howard, if she isn't here, then neither am I.

That's not such a bad idea. I know 100 actresses who could play this part.

Every one of them would show up on time, know her lines,

and sing, dance and act a damn sight better than you can!

Now look what you have done.

There are no broken bones, but she needs to stay off her feet for several days.

How many days?

- Don't, don't, it hurts. - Can't you do something?

I can give her something that'll help, sure.

Please, please.

We're just two little girls from Little Rock

We live on the wrong side of the tracks

But the gentlemen friends who used to call

They never did seem to mind at all

They came to the wrong side of the tracks

Then someone broke my heart in Little Rock

So I up and left the...

...but I prefer a man who lives

And gives expensive jewels

A kiss on the hand may be quite continental

But diamonds are a girl's best friend

A kiss may be grand

But it won't pay the rental on your humble flat

And I think affairs that you must keep Masonic

Are better bets

If little pets get big baguettes

Time rolls on and youth is gone

And you can't straighten up

When you bend

But stiff back or stiff knees

You stand straight at... Tiffany's

Diamonds

Diamonds

I don't mean rhinestones

But diamonds

Are a girl's best...

Best friend

So where is she? It's 8.30.

- Marilyn sometimes runs a little late, Joe. - Two hours?

It takes a lot of work to look like Marilyn Monroe even if you are Marilyn Monroe.

And speak of the devil!

- You look terrific, honey. - Thank you.

- Say hello to Joe DiMaggio. - How do you do, Mr DiMaggio?

Always a pleasure to meet one of David's friends. He's the best publicist in town.

- So are you in show business too? - Marilyn, you're kidding!

He's the greatest baseball player since the Babe.

Who's the Babe?

What a kidder, huh, Joe? Gee, Syl, look at the time.

We'll leave you two to get acquainted. Don't worry about the check. It's all taken care of.

The veal Marsala's great, by the way. Enjoy.

- Cheers. - Cheers.

This guy's electrifying! Does he speak?

I don't know much about baseball.

You wear baggy pants, chew tobacco and hit a ball with a stick!

Marry me. I'll teach you all about it.

You met her three minutes ago, moron!

- Why, Mr DiMaggio, I've only just met you. - Then have dinner with me tomorrow night.

Why don't we start with dinner tonight?

You cannot be serious about this person.

I am certain he has never read a book in his entire life.

Joe is very sweet, Natasha.

He makes me feel safe, he takes care of me and is very good with his hands.

I take care of you.

Natasha, sometimes you sound just like a jealous boyfriend.

- Mrs DiMaggio, where will you live? - Anywhere my husband wants.

Marriage is my main career now.

- Are you planning a family? - Of course.

Womanhood means only one thing. I'd love to have six children, God willing.

I won't let you ruin us, Marilyn! You can't do this!

- Will you keep house for your husband? - She's a movie star!

I'm looking forward to it. I'm learning how to cook Joe's favourite foods. Steak, lasagne.

No! No, no, no, no!

Please, please!

- Marilyn! - We love you!

I can see you have a real aptitude for this. You're a regular Mama Leone.

I cannot wait to watch you scrub the toilet bowl.

Look at fuckin' Woodling! Dumb as an Irish setter!

Can catch a ball like a frog zappin' a fly, then don't know what to do with it!

Rookies, Lefty.

Are you crazy? We're trying to watch a ball game here!

Hey! Hey!

Here comes the Neanderthal.

What's wrong, Marilyn?

What could possibly be wrong?

You are burying us alive, that's what's wrong!

We are cooped up all day watching "Father Knows Best"!

You don't talk to us! You just hang out with your dimwit pals!

Sitting around burping and farting and scratching their balls!

- Are you sure you're OK? - Of course were not OK, you blockhead!

We need some room to breathe, we need to work!

We need to feel the crowds and the fans and we need to be in a city with a pulse!

I'm fine.

OK... good.

Listen, forget about the lasagne.

Just make some spaghetti, OK? The fellas are hungry.

Lunch is served!

All right, Marilyn? All set?

Darling, when you get to the grating, watch it with your heel, all right?

- And roll sound! - Rolling!

Mark it!

And... action!

- That's a very interesting point of view. - Do you feel the breeze from the subway?

Marilyn, Marilyn, Marilyn!

Billy.

- What is it? - The panties are really sheer.

Even up on the crane, I could still see the dark pubes.

Jesus!

Marjorie... Marjorie, please.

Could we put another pair of panties over those panties? Thank you.

In a single day, I believe we have increased Marilyn's wardrobe of underthings by 200%!

Joe. What do you think about Marilyn showing...

I had no idea they didn't renew your contract. What a lousy break.

Yeah, I've been thinking about getting back to the city for a while now

and trying my hand at Broadway... where they appreciate real talent.

Am I disturbing you, Marilyn?

You haven't taken your eyes off your reflection since I've been here.

What do you think actresses do in their dressing rooms?

I guess it depends how self-absorbed they are.

He's back? The lifeguard? Don't let him insult you like that.

- Get out of here! - Sure, I was just leaving.

No, not you, Eddie. That was just a line I was working on.

Could you please sit down? I'm sorry. Please?

- Well, you delivered it well. - Like he would know!

You know, sometimes I have to look in the mirror to see who's there.

- Know what I mean? - Nope.

Much better!

I see you're mixing booze with your downers now.

- It's not booze. It's champagne. - It's still booze.

- The combination can kill you. - You're gonna lecture me now?

Am I the only person that tells you this stuff? What about your husband?

What about your friends? For Christ's sake, don't you have any friends?

Of course I have friends, Eddie! But these here are my best friends!

They're completely loyal. They never try to change me.

They shake me and sometimes get nasty and yell,

"Hey, bitch, get the fuck outta bed!"

Oh, yes.

Sometimes, when I feel my clock running down and I'm dead on my feet

and I can't dance another step...

...they run all over my body

and turn all my switches back on.

They make me alive again.

- They lined up to see me in New York. - Don't let it go to your head.

- The same folks line up to see the fat lady. - You seemed to enjoy it.

- You think I'm fat? - A little porky around the middle.

I didn't ask.

Zanuck says he thinks "The Seven Year ltch" will make him a bundle.

- He says it's my best role ever. - It's the same role you always play.

- Cheap, dim-witted floozy. - He says I'm incredibly good in the picture.

Then why is he sending us this crap?! Have you looked at these masterpieces?

"The Girl In The Red Velvet Swing." You play a rich old man's mistress.

"The Revolt of Mamie Stover." You play a hooker in Honolulu.

And here's an art movie. "How To Be Very, Very Popular"

starring Marilyn Monroe as Curly Flagg.

You should be working with Burton, with Brando, with Olivier!

What if I'm not that good an actress? What if I just don't have that kind of talent?

Then you'll just have to develop that kind of talent.

March into Zanuck's office and remind him he'd lose a million dollars a year without you.

You'll have to tell him you want serious roles in serious films

with serious directors you select.

Then what? Will you be happy?

Will that be good enough for you? Will anything be good enough?

No, dear, movie stars don't choose their own pictures. I choose their pictures.

That's how they get to be movie stars. Understand me?

You are a movie star because I made you one.

You could send me your sister from Philly or your aunt from Minneapolis.

If I wanted to, I could do the same thing for them.

No.

If I am a star, it's the public that has made me a star.

No studio, no director. The public.

Is that so? Well, all the public wants to see you do is sing, dance and wiggle your ass!

Who do you think you are? Katharine Hepburn?

You wanna play Shakespeare, or "The Brothers Karamazov"?

- Not the brothers. Grushenka. - Huh?

She's a girl, Mr Zanuck.

All right, let's defer this discussion until after "The Seven Year ltch" is released.

Well, I think you need my help to promote that movie,

so that gives me more...

What was that word that Johnny used to use?

I know. Leverage.

We're here with Marilyn Monroe, the first woman in show business

to negotiate her own independent production deal.

I'm Sidney Skolsky and I love Hollywood!

Marilyn, under the terms of your new deal, you'll be developing screen properties

to produce yourself out of your office in New York. Why New York?

Well, I believe it's a better atmosphere for me to find good material

and for me to learn to use myself more fully as an actress.

You will never find anyone who loves you like I do.

You cannot recognise sincere love when it is offered to you, you ungrateful brat!

I took you in when you were nothing! I breathed life into you!

- I made you a star! - You and everybody else in Hollywood!

You would have thrown away your career for a moron, for a cretin!

- I am the one who saved you! - Joe isn't my husband any more, Natasha.

And neither are you!

Make it real. Make it honest.

You are angry. Juliet is angry. The nurse is dilatory.

You wanna yell, you wanna scream, so... do it.

Go ahead. Come on, yell.

- I can't. - You can't?

Then get out of the business!

What are you feeling now? You're frustrated now? You're angry?

Then yell, goddamn you!

I'd die if he screamed at me like that.

That's better.

If a doctor gives you good stuff and it works, you don't have to like him.

This torture should be roar'd in dismal hell...

Mr Strasberg, I really enjoyed your class today.

You're so brilliant with actors.

I have... I've been wanting to extend my range as an actress.

I've always dreamed of studying at the Actors Studio.

It takes a lot of courage for those who are functioning professionally

to come to work here.

Unfortunately, you have already acquired many odd habits and mannerisms,

which you now have to unlearn.

I recommend private lessons in my study perhaps three times a week.

You might even like to stay for dinner afterwards.

Thank you.

Lee?

We've met before. Elia Kazan introduced us years ago.

- I don't know if you remember. - Of course I remember.

I was just an unimportant starlet then. You'd won the Pulitzer for "Death Of A Salesman".

I'm prepping a new play. "A View From The Bridge."

We open next month at the Coronet.

Perhaps you'd like to stop by and watch a rehearsal with me sometime?

Maybe make a few suggestions.

They'll say "If Arthur Miller's interested in her, she must be brighter than we thought."

"She must have hidden dimensions."

They'll say, "If Arthur Miller's interested in her, he must be desperate to get laid."

Didn't you figure it out last time?

Now, instead of trying to cook spaghetti, you'll try to make matzo balls, you idiot!

You're not meant for love and marriage! Stick with what you're good at!

- Nothing, if I listen to you! - He's old enough to be your father!

Then there's this voice in my head.

"Do this, don't do that." It never, ever stops.

Some days... well, a lot of days, actually, even today,

I think I'm about one step away from becoming a shit-throwing lunatic

like my mother and my grandmother.

You know, 'cause it's in my blood, it's in my brain.

I... I don't want to end up a zombie.

I don't...

I don't wanna end up led around by a nurse like some kind of a wind-up doll on wheels.

Every morning I wake up and I worry about whether I'm gonna end up in some hospital,

strapped to my bed and crapping in my clothes, screaming gibberish.

Am I gonna end up like my mother, Dr Kris?

The science of the mind has progressed in the last 20 years.

We are not as quick to hospitalise as we once were.

There are new therapies, new medications.

Tell me something, Dr Kris. What would you think if I became a Jew?

I think it should be a serious name. Like Isadore for your father.

Isadore? The kid would hate us all his life!

No! I know, what about Abe? Abraham Miller.

What about Sarah or Hannah or Rachel?

No, Papi, I got a boy in here.

I'm gonna paint his room blue. And not a pastel blue either, a robin's egg blue.

Papi, we're gonna be just like normal people, aren't we?

Do you think he'll be as happy to see me as I'll be to see him?

Two guys dressed as women? You think that's funny?

It's been the basis of theatrical comedy from Shakespeare to Feydeau.

- I think it's silly. - Well, that's the point.

Plus it'll be in black and white. My contract guarantees I'm always shot in Technicolor.

Then turn it down.

Somebody has to bring in some money. I guess it might as well be the pregnant wife.

I can't count on you to do it. You used to be a writer. What have you written lately?

You turned out to be a full-time job.

That's right, just walk away like a fucking milquetoast!

Why don't you write about getting...

Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!

- How are you? - Alive.

Lucky me. There's something wrong inside me, Arthur.

Some defect, some evil. God doesn't want me to have babies.

We're gonna have lots of babies.

We're gonna watch them grow big and prosperous and dignified.

They'd better take after you.

- Sorry. - I'll get the doctor.

- Please don't go! Please! - I'll be right back.

OK.

- Well, you must be very happy. - No.

Liar. Come on, tell me how babies would just stretch my belly and make my tits sag.

Go ahead. This is your chance. This is your opportunity.

Tell me how I would have ended up fatter and flabbier than I am already!

God, you're awful quiet today.

Never when I want you to.

What's the matter? This is one of your greatest days.

Don't you know I love you, Marilyn?

Action!

Where's that...

...bonbon? - Cut!

Action!

Cut.

I have an aunt in Vienna, also an actress. Her name, I believe, is Mildred Lachenfarber.

She comes to the set on time, she knows her lines, never gives anyone any trouble.

At the box office, she's worth about 14 cents. You get my point.

What good is being Marilyn Monroe if I can't have a normal life, a family?

- Like Brando, like Burton... - I'd settle for one baby.

- Why is everything so shitty? ...if she'd keep her legs together.

- She fucked her way this far... - I'd love my child to death...

Stop it, stop it, stop it!

Did you hear her? That voice, that noise.

It never goes away! Please make it stop! Please just turn it off!

I'm going to prescribe something for your nerves.

Go ahead, eat the whole bottle. Then they'll be really sorry!

Go straight to hell.

How can you have so little respect for yourself when I love you so?

There. There we go.

Papa, how come you never talk to me

in those beautiful flowery sentences like you write?

When the movie's over, I'll be better.

I'll be a good wife to you, Papa.

Acting tears me up inside.

The first time I ever saw you, you were so beautiful and so angelic

that you almost made me believe in God again.

And now?

We're losing the light, Mr Clift.

I'm on my way.

- I hate you, Arthur. - Really? Why's that, Marilyn?

You're so smart, why don't you figure it out?

You told me you were going to write me the best role of my career.

This is the best you could do? The character is passive and stupid.

She just wanders around feeling sorry for herself. Is this the way you see me?

Is this the way I inspire you?

"The Misfits"? You're the misfit, Arthur.

You don't know the first goddamn thing about drama.

And after all you've taught me.

You're a lousy writer, Arthur, and you're a lousy husband!

They need you in the bleachers now. Kill that motor. We're ready for a take.

No, go on, just drive. Go.

Just go. Just get outta here, goddammit! Get out of here now!

Which is it: Communism or freedom? We'll triumph in the next five or ten years.

God, he's brilliant. Absolutely magnificent.

I think he's gonna be another Lincoln.

No, no, no, don't do it that way. Wait. I'll show you.

This works much faster, believe me.

Sometimes I open them and let the granules dissolve on my tongue, like communion.

But mostly I mix it with stuff.

I like Nembutal with gin,

but Dexamyl's good with champagne 'cause it bubbles.

It's really the best combination unless you can get your hands on some Mandrax.

I once almost lost a whole bottle of Mandrax on an airplane.

It happened a couple of years ago. I flew to Louisville to shoot "Raintree County".

I went to the john and I managed to drop 150 randy-mandies down into the TWA crapper.

- What did you do? - I had to go in and fish 'em out.

My right arm turned... turned blue all the way up to my elbow!

It itched like a son of a bitch for, like, three weeks!

That's what I love about you, Monty.

You're the only one I know who's more fucked up than me!

What?

Arthur's never coming back, is he?

Well, then, he's the biggest fool God ever made.

I haven't washed my hair in days. I haven't slept in a week.

"Something's Got To Give" starts shooting in nine days, I've a wardrobe test on Monday

and I look like somebody who's been buried and dug up again.

So what can you give me to bring me back to human?

- What do you usually take? - Nembutal, Seconal...

...chloral hydrate, phenobarbital...

...Amytal, Dexamyl, Demerol sometimes.

Do you take the Amytal and the Demerol intravenously?

- Usually. - Self-administered?

I know some doctors. I like the professional touch.

From now on, I'd like you to restrict yourself to one doctor.

For the time being, I'm going to allow the chloral hydrate.

It's fast-acting and I think it's gonna help to wean you off the other barbiturates.

No more IV drugs. Do you understand?

Party pooper!

- Marilyn, this is my son Danny. - Hi.

- Go ahead. I'll see you tomorrow. - Walk her out, Dan.

- He doesn't have to. - Sure.

Hey.

- Danny, what are you studying? - Contemporary American government.

Really?

Can I ask you something?

Hope I can answer.

If you were going to meet the president, what would you talk about?

If you like sports, we usually have a game of touch football on Saturdays.

Excellent brandy.

- Mr President? - Yes?

Isn't the despatch of US aid and advisors into South Vietnam

a direct violation of the Geneva accords?

The trouble is, we are violating the Geneva agreement.

Not as much as the North Vietnamese are, but violating them nevertheless.

So whatever we do has to be done with a certain amount of... secrecy,

and there's always an element of danger in that, isn't there?

Thanks... Mr President

For all the things you've done

Battles that you've won

The way you deal with...

- What's the matter, honey? - You're wearing my dress.

That dress cost $12,000, you bitch!

Is that the sort of language a first lady uses?

But first ladies don't look like whores or act like whores or stink like whores!

Stop it!

You're just going to ruin everything if you look like a high-priced slut!

You have to wear something simple, something befitting the wife of a president.

Jack likes me to look sexy. He says it cures the pain in his back.

Yeah, right. This is better on me, anyway. You're too fat to wear it.

Haven't you read? Jackie only weighs 12 pounds!

Sorry, I forgot. You only read Dostoevksy, or is it Tolstoy?

Forget Jackie! It's just a political marriage! He doesn't love her.

- He never sticks his hand up her dress! - You think you are so grand!

The president's whore! How many women do you think he has?

You wanted the nice clothes, and the money and the power!

- I did this for you. - Bullshit!

You've never done anything for me, but I'm gonna do something for you, you...

What the hell is going on here? You were supposed to be on stage an hour ago.

What did you take?

- What did you take? - I didn't take anything, Peter.

Nothing. I swear. That's the problem.

OK.

I'll take care of it.

Thank you! Happy birthday, Mr President! Happy birthday to you!

Say, how would you all like to hear another one?

Honey, what did you do to this dress?

I've sewn a new seam up the front and it was tight to begin with.

I may have to open up a slit in the back so you can walk!

I'm sorry, Hazel.

I can't find Sidney. Somebody said he left. He's probably halfway to Idlewild by now.

The only hair stylist still hanging around is Mickey Song. He does the Kennedys.

I sure as hell don't wanna look like Jackie!

You ask him to come in.

You tell him I wanna look just like Jackie!

In the history of show business, there has been no one female

who has meant so much and done more...

Mr President...

...the late Marilyn Monroe.

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday

Mr President

Happy birthday

To you

The president's concerned.

We're all concerned, in fact,

that your involvement with him has become a little too public for comfort.

Especially since your performance at the birthday gala.

You asked me to sing "Happy Birthday" to him.

You telephone the president when other people are present

and you put these phone calls through the Fox switchboard.

The family cannot and will not tolerate this level of indiscretion.

He's going to marry me, Bobby.

No. I don't believe the president ever gave you any reason to think that.

I have to ask you not to attempt to contact him in any way.

He believes it's the best thing for him and it's the best thing for America.

Personally, I... think he's crazy.

Listen, I'd... l'd like to give you my private phone number.

This will put you through to my desk at the Justice Department.

They can't fire me. I've never been fired before in my life.

I had to promise them that you'd be on the set on time every morning.

Well, you've worked exactly four of the last 21 days.

Everyone in America saw you singing "Happy Birthday" to the president

when you told me you were home sick with a virus!

Aw, honey, you're all out of chances.

But I was ill. You know that I was.

So Liz Taylor can get sick and I can't?

If she sneezes, they spend $4 million to move the set to a warmer climate.

And her arms are fat.

Henry, her arms are so fat.

I make millions for them and this is how they treat me? Fucking Weinstein! Judas!

No, he's out to get me! They all are, especially that stupid no-talent Cukor!

What do you mean? Of course you can! You're the Attorney General!

You can do whatever you want! No, you can, you can! You could!

If you wanted to, you could put them in jail, audit their taxes, have them assassinated!

No! Bobby!

Bobby!

God, Eddie, wouldn't you know it? I get a dog with depression.

It's a beautiful house, Marilyn. I'm impressed. I am.

Thanks.

I've been planning a trip to Mexico to pick some tiles and furniture and stuff.

- I'm actually gonna leave on Thursday. - Sounds great.

Did I tell you, I've been renegotiating my deal at Fox?

They're gonna hire me back at twice my old salary.

I didn't wanna ask!

You know, Eddie, being with you is like old times.

Remember the Ambassador?

Yeah, I do.

You used to love me then.

You know, Eddie, when I was little...

...nobody loved me.

Nobody at all.

But then when I grew up,

I learned that I could make anyone fall in love with me

just by taking off my dress.

Well, I guess I've gotten smarter since then, so... l'm gonna say good night.

You're leaving, Eddie?

- Yeah, I have to get back. - Did I tell you? I've settled with Fox.

They're gonna pay me five times my old salary.

- I'm gonna start work next Thursday. - What happened to Mexico?

After I get back from Mexico.

Have a safe trip.

There are 88 tiles around the rim of the pool, 367 flagstones on the walkway.

- There are 1,874 tiles... - No, I told you!

You have to walk at least three steps behind me!

There are 88 tiles round the rim of the pool...

Oh, sweetheart.

Yes! Yes!

You are happy, aren't you? Aren't you happy?

Yes, you are! You are!

Robert Kennedy residence.

Hi. It's Marilyn.

- Could I talk to Bobby, please? - Just a moment, Miss Monroe.

- Angel? - Mr Kennedy's unavailable.

He's accepting no more calls. Please don't attempt to make contact. Thank you.

What are you doing?

Sometimes I have to hurt myself just to see if I can still feel.

Get out of my house! I hate you!

It's all your fault.

He dumped you as fast as he could because you're a cheap piece of trash.

- You're ignorant and you have no class. - No, that's you. I'm Marilyn.

You're only good for one thing. That's why every man has walked out on you.

They've all walked out on you. Even your daddy.

- I won't listen! I won't! - You're a cheap piece of trash!

- You're ignorant, you have no class. - I won't.

You're only good for one thing. Even your fans, they all left you.

We could have had it all, but you had to go and wreck it like everything else in your life!

I'll make you go away.

36 years old and your tits are sagging faster than your ass!

I'll make you... I'll make you go away.

Your mind has gone.

You're just a drunk and a pill-head.

No wonder everybody left you.

It's too late.

Everybody hates you.

Never work again.

The world will be better off without you.

Jesus loves me, this I know

For the Bible

Tells me so

I wanna be loved by you

Just you and nobody else but you

I wanna be loved by you alone

Boop boop be doop

I wanna be kissed by you

Just you and nobody else but you

I wanna be kissed by you alone

I couldn't aspire

To anything higher

Than to fill the desire

To make you my own

Bada bada boop bee-doo

I wanna be loved by you

Just you and nobody else but you

I wanna be loved by you alone