Marilyn at the Movies in Helsinki

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Marilyn’s fans in Finland will be celebrating her centenary this week, as a movie retrospective begins at Kino Regina in Helsinki.

“Although Marilyn Monroe’s (1926–1962) career as a Hollywood star lasted only a decade, she remains one of the greatest icons of popular culture. In addition to her beauty and stardom, Monroe is also remembered for her struggle against the limitations of the studio system for equality, independence, and self-determination.”

  • NIAGARA: July 30, August 1 – “Her first leading role as a femme fatale made Marilyn Monroe, who started out as a photo model, one of Hollywood’s most famous stars. The falls churn and Technicolor glow in this film noir shot at Niagara Falls, where a newlywed couple on their honeymoon meet another, less fortunate couple (Monroe & Joseph Cotten).”
  • GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES: August 6, 8 – “The entertaining satire culminates in Monroe’s song ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.'”
  • THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH: August 12, 16 – “This stage daptation relies on Tom Ewell’s comedic performance, but it really takes off thanks to Marilyn Monroe.”
  • BUS STOP: August 20, 22 – “After studying method acting in New York at the height of her popularity, Marilyn Monroe returned to Hollywood in a stage adaptation that gave her a more multi-dimensional role as a saloon singer with dreams of stardom.”

  • THE MISFITS: August 27-28 – “In what was sadly her last film, Marilyn Monroe starred alongside Clark Gable, Montgomery Clift, and Eli Wallach as a group of people lost in their lives and relationships who set up a horse ranch in Nevada. The wild horses serve as a metaphor for the disappearing Old West and the inability to adapt to modern society.”

  • MARILYN MONROE: 100 YEARS: August 28, 2:00 – 4:30 pm – “Free seminar exploring Marilyn’s eternal mystery and iconic status. What kind of mark did Marilyn leave on film? What about the Western ideal of beauty? Henna Karppinen-Kummunmäki talks about Marilyn Monroe as part of pin-up history based on her book Me and Marilyn (2023). Journalist Janne Siironen presents on the canon of Marilyn Monroe interpretations and myth formation. And Niina Holm hosts a panel discussion about female identity in film and culture post-Marilyn with filmmaker Anna Eriksson (M, 2018) and media researcher Kaisu Hynnä-Granberg.”
  • SOME LIKE IT HOT: September 2, 6 – “This classic comedy is unmatched in every aspect and includes the most iconic final line.”
  • THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL: September 9, 16 – “Monroe and her co-star, Laurence Olivier, who directed the film, did not get along, but in the end Monroe shines brighter.”