HOLLYWOOD —The star-studded reception opening the largest exhibition ever of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia was hosted by Loni Anderson, who appeared wearing a Marilyn Monroe original gown that purchased for Monroe’s honeymoon with Joe Dimaggio and later worn to entertain thousands of service men during her famous visit to Korea.

Joining Ms. Anderson for the preview was a celebrated list of industry elite including Donzaleigh Abernathy, Gloria Allred, Alison Arngrim, Robert Conrad, EG Daily, Roland Kickinger, Kate Linder, Rose Marie, Jaime Monroy, Cathy Silvers, Kevin Sorbo, Judy Tenuta (who came in full Monroe regalia), the artist Ludvic as well as Marian Collier who worked with Marilyn on “Some Like it Hot” and Stanley Rubin who produced “River of No Return” with Monroe in 1954.

The Hollywood Museum’s special exhibit “MARILYN REMEMBERED: An Intimate Look At The Legend” showcases hundreds of never before seen items representing the public and private life of Marilyn Monroe, including her 1961 Fleetwood Cadillac, costumes, personal photographs, furniture and more.

Glamorous dresses and jewelry worn by Marilyn Monroe plus her personal film scripts for “Niagara,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “How to Marry a Millionaire” are among the more than 200 items on display in the largest exhibition of Marilyn memorabilia ever assembled. The exhibit is open to the public from June 1 – Marilyn’s 84th birthday – and continues until August 31, at the Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor Building.

The exhibition combines the museum’s Marilyn collection with the collections of Scott Fortner, Greg Schriener, Lois Banner, Brian Johns, Jill Adams and Heidi Hansen. On view will be costumes she donned in “Gentleman Prefer Blondes,” “How to Marry a Millionaire,” “Niagara,” “The Prince and the Showgirl,” “Let’s Make Love” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

The exhibit also showcases the full-length beaver coat given to her by third husband Arthur Miller, the evening cape she wore to the New York premiere of “East of Eden” and the green silk Pucci blouse she donned in the last photos taken of Marilyn before her death. From her death scene, the exhibit includes an empty pill bottle discovered on her bedside table.

“This exhibit offers the best chance ever to get to know Marilyn Monroe intimately,” says museum president and founder Donelle Dadigan. “It includes some of her most glamorous possessions such as the white fox fur muff she wore to the premiere of ”˜How to Marry a Millionaire,’ but there’s a special emphasis on displaying the personal items that reveal the real, everyday Marilyn up close. You can see the film and gossip magazines she liked to read, her makeup accessories, eye drops, telephone bill, her SAG card, her University High School year book and even an invoice from her psychiatrist.

“We display the furniture from her last apartment in Brentwood, including the refrigerator she painted blue when she felt quite blue herself one lonely Hollywood night,” Dadigan adds.

Greg Schreiner, president of Marilyn Remembered, says, “Marilyn Monroe has been a huge part of my life and I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing exhibit at the Hollywood Museum. It will include a large part of my collection as well as several other major collectors. This promises to be the biggest and most exciting exhibit on Marilyn Monroe that the world has ever seen.” On view will be several gowns created for Marilyn by Oscar-winning designer William “Billy” Travilla, original artwork by LUDVIC and photographs taken by Andre De Dienes, Milton Green, Tom Kelley and George Barris.

In addition to the Hollywood Museum, the exhibit is supported by St. Croix, Bonhams & Butterfields Auctioneers, Marilyn Wines, the Milton Greene Archives, OneWest Publishing and is Clinical by Innovative Skincare.

Photographs are Courtesy: Robert Freeman

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