Marilyn Monroe: A Life of the Actress, Revised and Updated

By Carl Rollyson

Book Overview

In American popular culture, Marilyn Monroe(1926-1962) has evolved in stature from movie superstar to American icon. Monroe's own understanding of her place in the American imagination and her effort to perfect her talent as an actress are explored with great sensitivity in Carl Rollyson's engaging narrative. He shows how movies became crucial events in the shaping of Monroe's identity. He regards her enduring gifts as a creative artist, discussing how her smaller roles in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve established the context for her career, while in-depth chapters on her more important roles in Bus Stop, Some Like It Hot, and The Misfits provide the centerpiece of his examination of her life and career.

Through extensive interviews with many of Monroe's colleagues, close friends, and other biographers, and a careful rethinking of the literature written about her, Rollyson is able to describe her use of Method acting and her studies with Michael Chekhov and Lee Strasberg, head of the Actors' Studio in New York. The author also analyzes several of Monroe's own drawings, diary notes, and letters that have recently become available. With over thirty black-and-white photographs (some published for the first time), a new foreword, and a new afterword, this volume brings Rollyson's 1986 book up to date.

From this comprehensive, yet critically measured wealth of material, Rollyson offers a distinctive and insightful portrait of Marilyn Monroe, highlighted by new perspectives that depict the central importance of acting to the authentic aspects of her being.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1617039780
• ISBN13: 9781617039782
• Release Date: June 2014
• Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
• Length: 275 Pages
• Weight: 0.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A novice kind of book; MM as an actress. BRAVO! ENOCRE Mr. Rollyson!

there is not much i can say about this book, that seems to be the case when something is of high excellence. this book explains mm's methods of acting, and how she'd prepare for her roles. it also does so while giving info where she was in her life. so that makes it unboring. i couldn't put the book down. i read it and i am going to read it again. as an aspiring actress, it has become my bible, so to speak. the author has obviously researched extremely and he is commended. it is written very intelligently and concise. i think this is an excellent book for someone who wants to mimic MM like an impersonator. i also liked the texture of the book and paper. it seems different.lol. mr. rollyson wrote a review (hi!!) saying there has been more info since his writing of this book. i hope he writes another one, a 2nd one. i will be the first to buy it! thank you for your excellent, helpful book. (i knew, like 99% of the world, that there was something extremely special and unique about MM's acting and you have described about it) :- )

Marilyn Monroe: A Life of the Actress

As mentioned by the author, there have been a significant number books that have been written about the acting performances of Miss Monroe; however, Mr. Rollyson's book is written in depth and with candor regarding her method of study and acting. I found that there was a thorough analysis of her films, not just a brief overview. This is one book that should be found in every Monroe afficionado's library, especially those who are truly interested in her acting style and method. A very interesting and enjoyable read.

The only biography to carefully assess Monroe's acting.

I wrote this biography at a time when no biography had shown how Monroe approached her screen roles. I developed a vocabulary for assessing her acting, particularly her major roles from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes to The Misfits. Much new information has been uncovered since I wrote my book, but I don't think any writer has surpassed my treatment of her life as an actress.