Legacy Podcast: Episode 3 – Marilyn Monroe | Drama, Drink and Drugs

Hosts: Afua Hirsch & Peter Frankopan
Release Date: October 2, 2024
Episode Title: Drama, Drink and Drugs

Introduction: Marilyn Monroe’s Quest for Serious Acting

In the third installment of the Legacy series, hosts Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan delve into the complex life of Marilyn Monroe, exploring her relentless pursuit to be recognized as a serious actress beyond her iconic "blonde bombshell" image.

Peter Frankopan sets the stage by highlighting Monroe’s ambition:

“Marilyn Monroe is a massive star, but she wants to be more than just the blonde. She wants to be known as a great actress.”
[00:36]

Embracing Method Acting: A Struggle with Insecurity

Monroe’s journey towards serious acting led her to the prestigious Actor Studio in New York, run by Lee Strasberg and his wife Paula. Here, Monroe adopted method acting—a technique demanding complete immersion into her roles.

Afua Hirsch explains:

"Monroe becomes very close to the Strasbergs who run this school. And I think for her, it's part of this mental shift of moving from LA, which is all stardom and Hollywood, to New York, which is culture, which is stage and theater and intellectuals."
[05:54]

Despite her success, Monroe grappled with deep-seated insecurities. Reflecting on her time at the Actor Studio, she confessed:

“I knew how third rate I was. I could actually feel my lack of talent, as if it were cheap clothes I was wearing inside. But my God, how I want to learn to change and to improve.”
[04:13]

A Complex Relationship: Marilyn and Arthur Miller

Monroe’s personal life became increasingly intertwined with her professional aspirations when she entered a relationship with renowned playwright Arthur Miller. Their union was marked by both mutual support and underlying tensions.

Peter Frankopan notes:

“Arthur Miller had a more public-facing political identity... Marilyn really helps him out by lending her public support to him.”
[09:20]

Afua Hirsch adds depth to their relationship dynamic:

“I think her relationship with him helped both of them achieve more belonging in a world in which she was a natural outsider. And he definitely benefited from being attached to this American sweetheart when he was being accused of un-American activities.”
[16:46]

Miller’s integrity was evident when he stood by his principles during the McCarthy era, refusing to betray friends during his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Monroe supported him publicly, enhancing his reputation while navigating her own quest for legitimacy as an actress.

Career Milestones: From Bus Stop to Some Like It Hot

Monroe’s perseverance began to pay off when Fox Studios offered her unprecedented creative control. With a lucrative seven-year deal, she launched Marilyn Monroe Productions and starred in films like Bus Stop, which garnered critical acclaim and solidified her standing as a serious actress.

Afua Hirsch observes:

“Monroe is finally nominated for a Golden Globe, which is one of the signs of recognition that she'd been looking for.”
[18:10]

However, her rising career was overshadowed by personal struggles. Insomnia and anxiety led her to increasingly rely on medication, affecting her work and relationships.

Mental Health Struggles and Addiction

Behind the glamour, Monroe battled severe mental health issues. Her dependency on barbiturates and alcohol intensified, resulting in erratic behavior on set and strained relationships.

Afua Hirsch critically assesses the societal response:

“I question the language that's used around her alleged difficult behavior. We have much more sophisticated attitudes towards mental health and addiction now. But at the time, women were expected to be functional and there wasn't any bandwidth to accommodate the idea that a woman could be in mental health crisis.”
[31:36]

Monroe’s mental health deteriorated further after her marriage to Arthur Miller ended in divorce in January 1961, following her tumultuous experience filming The Misfits.

Iconic Moments: The “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” Performance

One of the most memorable segments of Monroe’s life was her performance for President John F. Kennedy’s birthday. This moment encapsulates her complex legacy, blending personal ambition with iconic celebrity status.

Afua Hirsch reflects on the performance’s significance:

"She understood the power of this moment for her iconography, for her brand, for the way she'd be memorialized."
[44:55]

The performance, marked by her daring dress and breathy rendition of "Happy Birthday," became a cultural touchstone, symbolizing both her allure and the permissiveness of the era. It also sparked enduring fascination and controversy, as seen when contemporary figures like Kim Kardashian referenced it decades later.

Final Career Push and Studio Conflicts

Monroe’s final films, including The Misfits with Clark Gable, showcased her undeniable talent but were marred by production difficulties and personal turmoil. Conflicts with directors and persistent health issues led Fox Studios to finally sever ties with her in 1962. Demonstrating her resilience, Monroe retaliated by negotiating a lucrative new contract, signaling a temporary resurgence in her career.

Peter Frankopan summarizes:

“She does a series of interviews and photo shoots where she looks a million dollars... Marilyn Monroe has got what it is that she wants. She signs the deal on the 1st of August 1962 and she's not giving up.”
[49:32]

Conclusion: A Fragile Triumph

As the episode concludes, Hirsch and Frankopan highlight the precarious balance Monroe maintained between her soaring career and deep personal struggles. While she momentarily regained control over her professional life, her unresolved mental health issues hinted at the fragile triumphs that defined her legacy.

Afua Hirsch poignantly notes:

“Her physical and mental health problems are growing, and the studio that should be most invested in keeping her healthy, happy, and in the right possible mental state is increasingly impatient with her behavior.”
[33:16]

The episode sets the stage for future installments, promising to explore the looming challenges that ultimately shaped Monroe’s enduring legacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Marilyn Monroe on Self-Doubt:

  “I knew how third rate I was. I could actually feel my lack of talent, as if it were cheap clothes I was wearing inside. But my God, how I want to learn to change and to improve.”
  [04:13]

• Arthur Miller on Their Relationship:

  “The very inappropriateness of our being together was to me the sign that it was appropriate that we were two parts, however remote, of this society, of this life.”
  [15:27]

• Afua Hirsch on Gender Dynamics:

  “When a man takes his craft seriously and demands to be treated a certain way, he has prestige. When a woman does the same thing, she's difficult.”
  [06:12]

Sources and Production Credits:

The episode draws extensively from biographical works, notably Sarah Churchwell's Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe. The hosts acknowledge the contributions of their production team, ensuring a well-researched and engaging narrative.

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