“From Factory Floors to Hollywood Glamour: The Resilient Journey of Marilyn Monroe”
Said Monroe to Life reporter, Richard Meryman,
“I was five…when I started wanting to be an actress. I loved to play. I didn’t like the world around me because it was kind of grim, but I loved to play house. It was like you could make your own boundaries. It goes beyond house; you could make your own situations and you could pretend…when I heard that this was acting, I said that’s I want to be.”
Before stepping into the limelight as an actress, Marilyn Monroe was making a name for herself in the modeling world. She was associated with Blue Book Modeling Agency, one of Los Angeles’ premier agencies at the time, and her striking poses were captured by numerous photographers, landing her on countless magazine covers and advertisements. So, how did she pave her way to this point?
“She was a very good model. I had her on easily a hundred magazine covers. Her and her figure was well-known long before she became Marilyn Monroe. But when she saw a camera, any camera, she lit up and was totally different. The moment the shot was over, she fell back into her not very interesting position. I don’t know how to explain that, but that’s what makes a good model.”
– Laszlo Willinger, photographer
In late 1944, after her husband Jimmy Dougherty was deployed overseas with the Merchant Marine, Norma Jeane moved in with her in-laws and started working at the Radioplane Company to contribute to the war effort. “My first job was inspecting parachutes before I moved to the ‘dope’ room,” she would later recount. “It was the most strenuous work I’ve ever done… It was very exhausting and challenging, especially for eight hours a day.”
Norma Jeane’s modeling career took off when Private David Conover, an army photographer, was assigned to document women contributing to the war effort at the Radioplane factory. The then-19-year-old Norma Jeane caught his eye, and he told her she could be a “real morale booster.” He asked her to change into a sweater she had in her locker rather than her overalls, to show the troops what she “really looked like.” Those pictures ended up in hundreds of magazines designed to boost morale.
“I moved down the assembly line, taking shots of the most attractive employees. None was especially out of the ordinary. I came to a pretty girl putting on propellers and raised the camera to my eye. She had curly ash blond hair and her face was smudged with dirt. I snapped her picture and walked on. Then I stopped, stunned. She was beautiful. Half child, half woman, her eyes held something that touched and intrigued me.”
– Private David Conover
Conover was so taken with the young Norma Jeane Dougherty that he showed his photos to commercial photographer Potter Hueth. Hueth offered her a deal where she would only get paid if magazines bought the photos he took of her, at a rate of five to ten dollars an hour. Norma Jeane agreed to work at the factory during the day and pose for photos in the evenings, working seven nights a week. In a 1962 interview with George Barris, she confessed that she had always secretly wanted to be a model.
Hueth showed the photographs to Emmeline Snively, the head of Blue Book Modelling Agency. Snively agreed to meet with Norma Jeane.
“An appointment was made, and I couldn’t sleep the night before. If she didn’t like me, that would be the end of my modeling career-before it started. Calling in sick, I took the day off to go see Miss Snively. I was then nineteen, my marriage was strained, and I was thinking of a divorce. When I wrote to my husband, I explained I did not love him anymore, that I had a chance for a career as a model, and that I wanted freedom to pursue my career. I wanted a divorce. Jim was still in Shanghai. He wrote asking if I would wait until he returned from overseas to see if we could patch things up and make a go of our marriage. But I knew our marriage was over. A career was more important to me. I wanted to become an actress more than ever. Perhaps through modeling I would get the break I needed.”
– Marilyn Monroe
At their meeting, a nervous Norma Jeane was told she had the potential to be a model but would need to attend Snively’s modeling school. Despite the high tuition fee, Snively assured her that she could offset the cost with the modeling jobs she would soon receive.
Snively later remembered, “She was a wholesome, all-American girl… We tried to teach her how to pose, how to carry herself. She always tried to lower her smile because she smiled too high, which made her nose look slightly long. Initially, she knew nothing about posture, walking, sitting, or posing. She started with less knowledge than any other girl I’ve ever met, but she was the most hardworking. … She was eager to learn and become someone.”
Norma’s first job was as a hostess at an aluminum exhibit at the Los Angeles Home Show in the Pan Pacific Auditorium. The ten-day job paid ten dollars a day, just enough to cover her modeling lessons. However, her next modeling gig didn’t go as smoothly; she was let go from a fashion job for possessing “more than the usual amount of sex appeal.”
The journey of Norma Jeane Mortenson from factory worker to Hollywood icon was not an overnight transformation, but a testament to her resilience and determination. The 19-year-old Norma Jeane, who was discovered at the Radioplane Company Factory by Private David Conover, embarked on a career as a model that would eventually lead her to stardom .
Monroe’s modeling career wasn’t always glamorous. She faced numerous challenges, including being fired from a fashion job due to her “more than usual amount of sex appeal” . Despite these setbacks, she remained dedicated to improving her craft, studying photographs of herself, practicing poses for hours, and seeking feedback from photographers.
“Then they started putting me in bathing suits, and all of a sudden I became popular. Photographers liked working with me. They said I knew how to take direction. I began having lots of location assignments. It was like I had been discovered. I was in great demand for bathing suit pictures.”
– Marilyn Monroe
Emmeline Snively, the head of Blue Book Modelling Agency, suggested that Norma Jeane dye her hair blonde, assuring her it would boost her career. Initially resistant, she eventually agreed when photographer Raphael Wolff offered to pay for the procedure. This decision proved transformative, leading to an influx of modeling jobs, especially cheesecake photos, and her appearance on numerous magazine covers .
“When I saw myself in the mirror, it just wasn’t the real me. They had converted me to a golden blonde. At first I couldn’t get used to myself.”
– Marilyn Monroe
The attention she garnered as a model wasn’t just from the public; it also caught the eye of Hollywood bigwigs. Howard Hughes, the business magnate and film director, was intrigued by her. When Ben Lyon, a talent agent at 20th Century Fox, heard of Hughes’ interest, he quickly arranged for Monroe to do a technicolor screen test, overlooking her lack of acting experience. This marked the beginning of her transition from modeling to acting, setting the stage for her rise to stardom .
“[Norma Jeane was] very serious, very ambitious, and always pleasant to be with. There was only one problem for her. She did so many covers that for a while she was considered overexposed-the magazine and advertising people had seen so much of her that after a year she couldn’t get much work.”
– Lydia Bodrero Reed (Blue Book Agency model, 1945-1946)
Despite the hardships and challenges she faced, Norma Jeane’s story is one of resilience and determination. She refused to compromise her authenticity, even when pressured to conform to societal standards. These qualities, along with her talent and charisma, helped her rise above the obstacles and become one of the most enduring icons in Hollywood history.
Marilyn Monroe, despite her reputation as a sex symbol, was never afraid to reveal her genuine self. In an era when women were expected to conform to rigid societal norms, Monroe chose to embrace her imperfections. Her on-screen vulnerability resonated with audiences, making her a beacon of authenticity and honesty. Even years after her untimely death, Monroe continues to inspire people to accept their flaws and be unapologetically themselves.
Monroe’s influence on society and pop culture is indisputable. She has left an indelible mark as a Hollywood legend, a pioneer, and a symbol of female empowerment. Her legacy will continue to resonate for generations, serving as a reminder that we can overcome adversity and achieve greatness. Let’s continue to honor and celebrate Monroe, the woman who taught us that true beauty lies in being authentically ourselves.
Her life story serves as a lasting testament to the power of resilience, self-love, and determination. As societal norms continue to evolve, let’s not forget her bravery and fortitude in challenging conventions and defying expectations. She made a substantial impact not only in the entertainment industry but also in shaping the discourse of feminism and female empowerment.
Let’s keep her memory alive by embracing our vulnerabilities, celebrating our uniqueness, and never dimming our light. In doing so, we pay tribute to her enduring legacy and draw inspiration from her steadfast spirit. May future generations recognize her as a symbol of courage, authenticity, and empowerment – the true essence of Marilyn Monroe.
While her life was tragically cut short, her influence and impact persist, inspiring us all to be authentically ourselves and pursue our dreams fearlessly. Let’s keep Monroe’s memory alive and honor her legacy as we embark on our personal journeys of self-discovery and empowerment. Let’s always remember the woman who taught us that true beauty comes from within and that our flaws make us uniquely beautiful.
In conclusion, even though it has been over five decades since Monroe left this world, her legacy remains as timeless as ever. She will forever be remembered as a symbol of strength, courage, and authenticity – an icon who continues to inspire generations and break barriers even after her demise. So let’s celebrate her life, honor her memory, and always remember the lessons she taught us about accepting ourselves fully and unapologetically. May we always hold a part of Marilyn in our hearts and minds.
Marilyn Monroe’s journey as a model played a pivotal role in shaping her iconic career. From her early days attending modeling school to signing contracts with prestigious agencies, her path to stardom was marked by determination and ambition. Explore the key moments and influences that defined Marilyn Monroe’s modeling journey through the following questions and insightful answers.
Q: Who offered Marilyn Monroe a chance at a full-time modeling career and what conditions were set?
A: Emmeline Snively offered Marilyn Monroe a chance at a full-time modeling career, with the proviso that she attend Snively’s three-month modeling school classes. (Source: LiveAbout)
Q: What did Marilyn Monroe do to learn the basics of modeling before signing a contract with the Blue Book Model Agency?
A: Marilyn Monroe took a three-month modeling course to learn the basics of the craft before signing a contract with the Blue Book Model Agency. (Source: TheaterSeatStore)
Q: How did Marilyn Monroe embark on her career as a model?
A: The 19-year-old Norma Jeane, who was discovered at the Radioplane Company Factory by Private David Conover, embarked on a career as a model. (Source: MakeupMarilyn)
Q: What were some key aspects of Marilyn Monroe’s early modeling career according to Emmeline Snively?
A: According to Snively’s words, she was one of the most ambitious and hard-working models in the agency. (Source: AstrumPeople)
Q: How did Marilyn Monroe’s modeling career lead to her film contract in 1946?
A: After spending much of her childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. (Source: WalkofFame)
Q: What significant event occurred during Marilyn Monroe’s modeling journey in 1942?
A: At age 16, Monroe married 21-year-old neighbor Jimmy Dougherty, marking a significant event during her modeling career. (Source: PBS)
Q: What does a post about Marilyn Monroe’s transformative journey uncover?
A: The post uncovers Marilyn Monroe’s transformative journey, tracing her path from rise to fame, including her modeling career. (Source: FamousNarratives)
