A gathering of women dressed in replicas of the white halterneck dress from The Seven Year Itch assembled in London this week to mark the 100th birthday of Marilyn Monroe. The event, organised by the Marilyn Monroe Society, drew several dozen participants to a private ceremony in central London. Wigs, beauty spots and tight curls were the uniform of the day.
The actress, who died in 1962 at the age of 36, remains a potent symbol of Hollywood glamour and vulnerability. Tributes also came from senior figures in British cultural life. The National Portrait Gallery highlighted its permanent collection of photographs by Cecil Beaton, who captured Monroe during her 1956 visit to the United Kingdom for the filming of The Prince and the Showgirl.
Lord Puttnam, the film producer, described Monroe as a woman of remarkable instinct who understood the mechanics of fame before the concept had a name. No members of Monroe’s family attended; she had no children. The event was notable for the precision of the costumes.
Participants had travelled from as far as Australia and Brazil. The organisers said they aimed to honour Monroe as a serious performer rather than a tragic figure. A minute of silence was held.
The centenary has prompted reappraisals of her work. Two newly restored prints of classics such as Some Like It Hot will be screened at the British Film Institute next month. The BFI said demand had been strong.
Monroe’s legacy in the United Kingdom is particularly durable. She visited only once but left an impression on everyone she met, including the Queen, who received her at a royal premiere. The event concluded with a group photograph.
The women stood in formation on the steps of the building. The lookalikes then went their separate ways, their dresses billowing in the wind.
