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Marilyn Monroe Memorabilia
Lot 2
A Twentieth Century-Fox Letter Ordering Marilyn Monroe to Return to Work
4 – 14 June 2024, 12:00 PDT
Online, Los AngelesSold for US$1,280 inc. premium
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A Twentieth Century-Fox Letter Ordering Marilyn Monroe to Return to Work
Typed Document Signed ("Frank H. Ferguson"), 1 p, 4to, December 9, 1953, Beverly Hills, to Marilyn Monroe, on Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation letterhead, stamped "Received / December 10, 1953" to upper right corner, with a notation in pencil to left of text, with original registered transmittal envelope. Together with a clipping from The Hollywood Reporter dated January 10, 1955.
It is of no surprise that Marilyn Monroe was less than enthusiastic about returning to Fox studio for additional shooting on River of No Return as she was, during this time, attempting to assert herself with the studio in the pursuit of better roles and better pay. She also thought it was a horrible film. She refused to return for the additional shooting and created a panic amongst the top brass of Fox. During the shooting, much of which took place in Canada, Monroe endured the blunt direction of Otto Preminger, almost drowned, and injured her ankle, requiring her to use crutches. In the registered letter which required a return receipt, Ferguson (of the Fox Legal Department) formally requests her services according to her contract (which was made in 1951 and paid her a paltry sum considering her superstardom) for "retakes and added scenes for the motion picture entitled 'RIVER OF NO RETURN'." The letter is terse, to the point, and was later followed by other, more aggressive letters indicating disciplinary action if she were not to comply. The Western co-starred Robert Mitchum and Rory Calhoun and a miscast Monroe. Tired of the same old type of scripts and longing for roles of depth, Monroe ultimately returned to finish the picture but categorically rejected the next script she received from Fox and was put on suspension.
8.5 x 11 in.
It is of no surprise that Marilyn Monroe was less than enthusiastic about returning to Fox studio for additional shooting on River of No Return as she was, during this time, attempting to assert herself with the studio in the pursuit of better roles and better pay. She also thought it was a horrible film. She refused to return for the additional shooting and created a panic amongst the top brass of Fox. During the shooting, much of which took place in Canada, Monroe endured the blunt direction of Otto Preminger, almost drowned, and injured her ankle, requiring her to use crutches. In the registered letter which required a return receipt, Ferguson (of the Fox Legal Department) formally requests her services according to her contract (which was made in 1951 and paid her a paltry sum considering her superstardom) for "retakes and added scenes for the motion picture entitled 'RIVER OF NO RETURN'." The letter is terse, to the point, and was later followed by other, more aggressive letters indicating disciplinary action if she were not to comply. The Western co-starred Robert Mitchum and Rory Calhoun and a miscast Monroe. Tired of the same old type of scripts and longing for roles of depth, Monroe ultimately returned to finish the picture but categorically rejected the next script she received from Fox and was put on suspension.
8.5 x 11 in.
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