Trivia: Marilyn Monroe remains an icon 50 years after her death

By Rebekah Bradford  Special to The Post and Courier | Wednesday, August 1, 2012

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File/Christie’s/Richard Avedon/AP
Actress Marilyn Monroe is shown in this May 6, 1957, photo released by Christie’s Auction House in New York.
  • Marilyn Monroe is seen in this publicity photo from 1953.
    ( File/AP )
    Marilyn Monroe is seen in this publicity photo from 1953.
  • This image, taken in 1954, shows an original black-and-white vintage photograph of Marilyn Monroe in Korea.
    ( File/Julien’s Auctions/AP )
    This image, taken in 1954, shows an original black-and-white vintage photograph of Marilyn Monroe in Korea.
  • Actress Marilyn Monroe is shown on the set of her last, unfinished movie, “Something’s Got To Give,” in Los Angeles in April 1962.
    ( File/AP )
    Actress Marilyn Monroe is shown on the set of her last, unfinished movie, “Something’s Got To Give,” in Los Angeles in April 1962.
  • Marilyn Monroe appears in this December 1953 edition of Playboy magazine. The “Red Velvet” photo collection depicting a nude Marilyn Monroe was on a 1952 pinup calendar and became Playboy magazine’s first centerfold. The photos are credited with helping launch her career.
    ( File/Playboy Inc./AP )
    Marilyn Monroe appears in this December 1953 edition of Playboy magazine. The “Red Velvet” photo collection depicting a nude Marilyn Monroe was on a 1952 pinup calendar and became Playboy magazine’s first centerfold. The photos are credited with helping launch her career.
  • Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe in a scene from “The Misfits.” It turned out to be the last movie for both in 1961.
    ( File/AP )
    Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe in a scene from “The Misfits.” It turned out to be the last movie for both in 1961.
  • A 1962 Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe called “Lemon Marilyn,” is hung at Christie’s auction rooms in London in 2007.
    ( File/Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP )
    A 1962 Andy Warhol portrait of Marilyn Monroe called “Lemon Marilyn,” is hung at Christie’s auction rooms in London in 2007.
  • Newlyweds Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller are shown after their civil wedding ceremony in White Plains, N.Y., on June 29, 1956. Their marriage, in a Jewish ceremony in England, was an event of high-level gossip for much of the world and of high-level curiosity for the United States government. “An anonymous telephone call” had been placed to the New York Daily News, an FBI report from the time notes. The caller, an “unidentified male,” stated that Miller “had been and still was a member of the CP (Communist Party) and was their cultural front man” and that Monroe also “had drifted into the Communist Party orbit.”
    ( File/AP )
    Newlyweds Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller are shown after their civil wedding ceremony in White Plains, N.Y., on June 29, 1956. Their marriage, in a Jewish ceremony in England, was an event of high-level gossip for much of the world and of high-level curiosity for the United States government. “An anonymous telephone call” had been placed to the New York Daily News, an FBI report from the time notes. The caller, an “unidentified male,” stated that Miller “had been and still was a member of the CP (Communist Party) and was their cultural front man” and that Monroe also “had drifted into the Communist Party orbit.”
  • In this iconic 1954 photo, Marilyn Monroe poses over the updraft of a New York subway grating while in character for the filming of “The Seven Year Itch.”
    ( File/Matty Zimmerman/AP )
    In this iconic 1954 photo, Marilyn Monroe poses over the updraft of a New York subway grating while in character for the filming of “The Seven Year Itch.”
  • “Some Like It Hot,” Billy Wilder’s 1959 classic starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe, topped the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 funniest American movies. Lemmon and Curtis play musicians who witness a mob massacre and dress up as women to hide out with an all-girl band. Curtis and Monroe are seen in this still from the film.
    ( File/AP )
    “Some Like It Hot,” Billy Wilder’s 1959 classic starring Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe, topped the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 funniest American movies. Lemmon and Curtis play musicians who witness a mob massacre and dress up as women to hide out with an all-girl band. Curtis and Monroe are seen in this still from the film.
  • In this photo taken in 1959, Marilyn Monroe talks with Frank Sinatra while an unidentified man looks on at the Cal Neva Lodge in Crystal Bay, Nevada. Before the Las Vegas Strip ruled the gambling world, Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. helped make the Cal Neva Lodge one of Nevada’s coolest casinos in the 1960s.
    ( File/Don Dondero/Reno Gazette Journal/AP )
    In this photo taken in 1959, Marilyn Monroe talks with Frank Sinatra while an unidentified man looks on at the Cal Neva Lodge in Crystal Bay, Nevada. Before the Las Vegas Strip ruled the gambling world, Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. helped make the Cal Neva Lodge one of Nevada’s coolest casinos in the 1960s.

Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death. And while she was an icon in life, her legacy has continued on in death in many forms, from Andy Warhol’s silk-screen painting to last year’s film release of “My Week with Marilyn” and beyond.

This week’s Head2Head Trivia is about the original blond bombshell.

Two-time winner Rob Brunson is trying for a third victory, and his opponent is Terri Webber, who works as a part-time bookkeeper.

QUESTIONS

1. What was her real name before becoming Marilyn Monroe?

2. Name the 1950 film noir directed by John Huston that featured Monroe in a small but critically acclaimed role.

3. In the film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” what song does Monroe sing in what is now considered an iconic performance?

4. What did Monroe famously answer when asked what she wore to bed?

5. Which famous baseball player was Monroe’s second husband?

6. In 1953, Monroe appeared on the cover of the first issue of this magazine.

7. Directed by Billy Wilder, this movie starring Monroe was named by the American Film Institute as the greatest American comedy film of all time.

8. Monroe standing over a subway grate with her skirt flying up is a scene from what movie?

9. Monroe sang a sultry version of “Happy Birthday” to what U.S. president?

10. What was the last completed film by Monroe that also starred Clark Gable?

ROB’S ANSWERS

1. Norma Jeane. If you need a last name, I think it was Baker.

2. Not sure I know this one.

3. I believe it’s “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.”

4. Yeah, I don’t know. Maybe nothing.

5. That would be Joe DiMaggio.

6. Playboy

7. “Some Like It Hot”

8. Again, not sure what movie it is.

9. JFK

10. I think it was “Misfits.”

TERRI’S ANSWERS

1. She was born Norma Jeane something.

2. I know early on she was in “All About Eve.”

3. “Diamond’s are a Girl’s Best Friend”

4. The perfume Chanel No. 5.

5. The one who played for the Yankees. Joe DiMaggio.

6. Playboy magazine.

7. Oh, this is a great movie. “Some Like It Hot.”

8. “The Seven Year Itch”

9. Kennedy

10. “Misfits”

CONCLUSION

Two-time Head2Head trivia champ Rob couldn’t make it a three-peat against challenger Terri, who easily became our newest contestant to claim the title. Of course, it probably didn’t hurt that Terri had recently read one of the many books published for the anniversary of Monroe’s death. That’s what you call good timing.

CORRECT ANSWERS

1. Norma Jeane Mortenson

2. “The Asphalt Jungle”

3. “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”

4. “Why, Chanel No. 5, of course.”

5. Joe DiMaggio

6. Playboy

7. “Some Like It Hot”

8. “The Seven Year Itch”

9. John F. Kennedy

10. “The Misfits”

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