On what would be Marilyn’s 98th birthday – Saturday, June 1st – Elisa Jordan (author of Hello, Norma Jeane) will give a special presentation on Marilyn’s Los Angeles at the historic Orpheum Theatre at 6 pm, to be followed by a screening of The Seven Year Itch at 8 pm.
The Orpheum Theatre first opened in 1926, the same year Marilyn was born – and incidentally, she attended the New York premiere of The Seven Year Itch on June 1, 1955, her 29th birthday.
“Celebrate Marilyn Monroe’s birthday with one of her most iconic films! She’s never been more ‘Marilyn’ than in this hilarious romp from writer/director Billy Wilder.
Based on a popular Broadway play, The Seven Year Itch is the story of a seemingly happily married man who stays behind in Manhattan while is family is away for summer vacation. It’s a sweltering summer, and Richard Sherman (Tom Ewell, in the role he originated on Broadway) is alone in his apartment for the season. At the same time, a beautiful blonde bombshell (Marilyn Monroe, at the height of her popularity) has just moved into the upstairs apartment and unknowingly gives him a case of ‘the seven-year itch.’
The Seven Year Itch is perhaps most famous for its iconic scene of Marilyn Monroe letting her white halter dress billow over the Subway vent. Although censors tamed down this scene, and many of the other themes of the original stage play, the film was an enormous box office success. And while it enshrined Marilyn Monroe’s image into legend, The Seven Year Itch also showcases her talents as a smart and nuanced actor.”
The day’s events are hosted by LA Conservancy, and proceeds will benefit their efforts to preserve historic places throughout Los Angeles County – including Marilyn’s final home, which remains under threat of demolition.
As the LA Times reports, the current owners of 12305 Fifth Helena Drive have now filed a lawsuit against the City Council. To show your support for Councilwoman Traci Park’s campaign to designate the Brentwood hacienda as an historical-cultural landmark, please write to her here.
The Marilyn Report 
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