Marilyn Monroe would have turned 100 on June 1st, and to celebrate her legacy, the Belas Artes À La Carte platform highlights a special collection featuring some of the most important films of her career. The actress, one of the most recognizable faces in the entire history of cinema, is celebrated with works such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), directed by Howard Hawks, as well as The Seven Year Itch (1955), directed by Billy Wilder. More than six decades after her death at the age of 36, Marilyn remains the most recognized female figure in the history of cinema. She spent years trying to get a foot in the door of small roles and productions before becoming a worldwide star. The special collection is a good opportunity to revisit an actress who, for a long time, was reduced to just her own image.
The collection includes films such as The Asphalt Jungle (1950), directed by John Huston, starring Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, and Marilyn Monroe, a black-and-white drama/crime film with 112 minutes that tells the story of a criminal who organizes a plan to steal a fortune in jewels with the help of a specialized gang. Other films in the collection include The Seven Year Itch (The Seven Year Itch), directed by Billy Wilder, starring Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell, a comedy that shows the actress’s versatility. Some Like It Hot (1959), directed by Billy Wilder, starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon, is another highlight, a film that earned Marilyn the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.
The direction of John Huston in The Asphalt Jungle is considered one of the best of the cinema noir in America in the 1950s. The script, based on the book by W.R. Burnett, was adapted by John Huston and Ben Hecht. The photography, in black and white, is by Harold Rosson. The film’s themes include greed, crime, and redemption. Marilyn Monroe’s performance in The Asphalt Jungle is considered one of her first great performances, showing her presence in the scene and charisma in front of the cameras.
The special collection of films by Marilyn Monroe is an opportunity to see the actress in some of her best works, showing her versatility and talent. Over time, Marilyn Monroe became an eternal star of cinema, and this collection is a way to celebrate her legacy.
