A Marilyn Moment
Each of these photographs refers to the "Marilyn Moment" somewhere in the image, title or comment.
There was some discussion about how the relatively few photographs of the actual event evolved into seemingly endless references. See these...
It was only a publicity stunt dreamed up by director Billy Wilder.
And so a little scene from the “Seven Year Itch” a movie from 1955, left a lasting impression on the world. More than fifty years later the scene is still quoted or remembered when anything resembling Marilyn Monroe’s blowing skirt is encountered.
Great statues or important portraits take us only to a general memory of something or someone, an ideal or an idea.
There have been only a scant few visual items that imbed in our memories so deeply that they become our signal reference point at each reminder. Can you look at two parallel smokestacks on a skyline without thinking of the Twin Towers? When you see two people running toward each other do you think of Heathcliff and Catherine from the movie Wuthering Heights? These are unintentional or general stimuli that take your mind to a specific bit of time.
Non-visual triggers are fairly common. When the Johann Strauss “Blue Danube Waltz” is heard, who does not think of a space ship dockingin 2001:A Space Odyssey? Few of us go anywhere else in our mind. If you hear the words “Grassy Knoll”, do you think of the Kennedy Assassination?
The “William Tell Overture” means the “Lone Ranger” to us older folks but that’s just a general memory, not a specific moment. In fact, sounds or music will often take our minds to something general. And there are lots of individual, personal hooks we have: “Our” song or mom’s pot roast.
Now think of a visual image that takes a majority of people back to a specific event.
There are only a few.
Pop culture and advertising have given us the orange Tide box, Mickey Mouse, Joe the Camel or Bart Simpson…These are visuals that take you to a GENERAL place, not a specific moment in time.
When seeing the delicate petals of a white poppy fluttering in the breeze, a bit of tissue caught on a twig, or a skirt caught in a sudden gust of wind, do you think of this brief publicity stunt from Billy Wilder? Do you think of Norma Jean Baker? Apparently a very broad spectrum of people do.
All of these pictures from dear Flickr friends refer to Marilyn Monroe in the title or the comments. Please click through to see their larger versions.
And go see this at JeansMusicBlog: On this day 1954 : Marilyn Monroe marries It's a fine blog.
Homeless Man and Marilyn Monroe
Keeping Warm on a Steam Vent
in Washington, DC
originally uploaded by
Bill A
Text Here
Labels: Betty Boop, Marilyn Moment, Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jean Baker, skirt
posted by anyjazz @ 12:56 PM
7 Comments:
At Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:00:00 AM,
MXI said…
I've been following your Marylin stuff here,the question is why? Why is this moment in time so ingrained? Why is the Mona Lisa priceless and the portrait of my ex-wife a crime? Maybe a bad comparison. Norma Jean died before I was born,and yet even my son has heard of her and was surprised to find out she was a real person not just a made up icon.
I've yet to be at your blog and not be fascinated, don't dissapoint me in the future!
At Tuesday, February 27, 2007 2:05:00 PM,
Bill Angel said…
Thanks for the inclusion on your discussion page of my fanciful depiction of Marylin sharing a steam grade with a homless man. Of the group of images you have included, my favorite (other than my own)would be the one depicting Betty Boop in a similar pose. The reason being that Betty Boop has, like that of Marylin Monroe, achieved an iconic cultural status that has persisted up to the present day. In fact, you might consider sonetime in the future creating a similar exhibition of Betty Boop iconography. --- Bill Angel
At Tuesday, February 27, 2007 5:42:00 PM,
M said…
You have a very original blog!
A way to make the images appear in thier entirety without being cut on the right is to click on "customize" then on "edit HTML"
Search for where it says overflow: hidden; /* fix for long non-text content breaking IE sidebar float */ and remove that part.
At Tuesday, February 27, 2007 6:19:00 PM,
anyjazz said…
@bill a: Thanks! I was stunned by your composition and it needed to be included in my little study. Thanks! The little Betty Boop calendar page was what set the thought into motion about the strength of the cultural impact of this Marilyn moment. And yes, someone SHOULD do something about the Betty Boop status as a cultural icon. She's been seen to mimic everyone from Marilyn to Santa. Fred
At Tuesday, February 27, 2007 6:21:00 PM,
anyjazz said…
@mariana: Thanks! I thought I had cured the overflow problem (it doesn't show on any of my computers) so I will try your tip.
Thanks!
At Saturday, April 07, 2007 7:03:00 AM,
JeansMusicBlog said…
Great info about Marilyn you did put over here !
It did take a while, but better late than never .... : I linked to yor Blog today (my post 2007_jan_14 about her wedding day).
At Saturday, April 07, 2007 12:48:00 PM,
anyjazz said…
@jeansmusicblog: Thanks for your visit and your link. The iconic nature some people has always been a fascination for me. Thanks again.
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