Most consider “The Misfits” as Marilyn Monroe’s last film; however, there were a number of failed attempts to cast her in other pictures. Most famous of all is “Something’s Got to Give”, abandoned by 20th Century Fox after MM’s numerous absences. A last attempt to finish it, after Monroe was fired, then rehired, ended when she died on August 5, 1962.
Marilyn Monroe’s costume tests for “Something’s Got to Give”
The plot: A woman returns after being lost on a desert island, finding out her husband has just remarried. The first video is of a 1990’s TV special commenting on what transpired.
Recently restored by 20th Century Fox, the video below attempts to piece together what was filmed. (37 minutes in length.)
Funniest scene: Wally Cox in the shoe store.
Also contains MM’s nude swim, a major event in ’62.
“The Misfits” (1961.) Arthur Miller’s saga of how a woman changes the lives of three down and out losers. Also starring Clark Gable, Eli Wallach and Montgomery Clift. “Misfits” didn’t connect with audiences then, but is more appreciated today.
Best performance: Montgomery Clift as Perce Howland.
Clark Gable died of a heart attack shortly after filming.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Based on the novella by Truman Capote. The author urged the studio to cast Marilyn as Holly Golightly. Turned down by the director Blake Edwards because of MM’s notorious reputation for being late, high, sick and/or forgetting her lines.
Monroe lost role of Holly Golightly to Audrey Hepburn who received an Oscar nomination for “Best Actress”
“They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” Rights to this were then owned by Charlie Chaplin, who offered MM the lead role. She turned it down, believing it was about horses. (Plot concerns marathon dance contests in the 1930’s.)
Released in 1969, starring Jane Fonda, who received an Oscar nomination for “Best Actress”.
“Freud” (1962)
Actor friend Montgomery Clift tried to get Marilyn cast as Freud’s wife. Susan Kohner was cast instead.
“What a Way to Go!” (1964)
Dark comedy about a wife whose five husbands all die for one reason or another. Shirley MacLaine inherited the role.
Last major public appearance. M.M. sings “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy. Host Peter Lawford refers to her as “the late Marilyn Monroe.”
Text © 2018 – ERN
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