May 26, 2012
"Forever Marilyn" Sculpture Lands in Palm Springs
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Palm Springs, CA - Since the 1920s, Palm Springs has been a place for celebrities to escape the hustle and bustle of showbiz, including Marilyn Monroe. The blonde icon returned to Palm Springs in a big way as a 26-foot tall "Forever Marilyn" sculpture.
"Forever Marilyn" is located in downtown Palm Springs on the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way where she will be on display through June 2013. The dramatic statue by American artist Seward Johnson represents one of the most famous images of Marilyn Monroe, taken from the film "The Seven Year Itch."
The legendary two-hour rule of Hollywood studios put Palm Springs on the map as a perfect getaway. Actors under contract had to be available within two-hours from the studio for last minute film/photo shoots. In 1949, Marilyn Monroe was "discovered" at Charlie Farrell's Racquet Club in Palm Springs. Johnny Hyde from William Morris Agency saw Marilyn while Bruno Bernard, aka Bernard of Hollywood, was taking photos of her poolside, which are the most famous taken of the icon. Hyde signed Monroe to a contract and she soon became a legend.
Palm Springs area resident and celebrity photographer, Bill Kobrin, was one of the photographers who captured the iconic subway-grate scene that 20thCentury Fox used for their promotional purposes. At the time, Kobrin was the east coast representative for 20th Century Fox and was assigned to shoot publicity stills of Marilyn Monroe for "The Seven Year Itch." Kobrin is 90 years old and has published a book that features photographs of Marilyn Monroe and other celebrities.
With the summer season fast approaching and "Some Like It Hot," the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism, www.VisitPalmSprings.com, has rounded up activities for visitors to play like Marilyn and experience the Old Hollywood glamour of Palm Springs.
Marilyn Monroe lived in a'50s bungalow-style house in the Las Palmas neighborhood. During a celebrity tour, visitors will hear the stories and secrets of the stars and see Marilyn's home along with many other celebrity homes including the Elvis Honeymoon House, Elizabeth Taylor's and Frank Sinatra's homes.
Similar to the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Palm Springs Walk of Stars has nearly 350 Golden Palm Stars embedded in the sidewalks throughout downtown Palm Springs. Marilyn Monroe's star is located at 101 S. Palm Canyon Drive, adjacent to the "Forever Marilyn" sculpture.
Palm Springs has an eclectic collection of fashion boutiques and resale consignments for visitors to shop for vintage dresses and jewelry, fine art and Marilyn memorabilia.
Visitors who want to live like Marilyn can rent the historic Sand Acre Estate and stay in her private tower bedroom with balcony, which was also her hideaway to spend time with Joe DiMaggio. Marilyn also stayed in a boutique hotel, now called the Palm Springs Rendezvous, and her alleged room is called the "Pretty in Pink" room that is perfectly pink for a Marilyn fan.
During the course of the year, special events will take place in Palm Springs to celebrate Marilyn's birthday in June and the 50th anniversary of her death in August. Visitors from all over the world are lured to Palm Springs for its storied Hollywood legacy and it is truly like no place else.
For Palm Springs visitor information, go to www.VisitPalmSprings.com and "Forever Marilyn" details at www.Facebook.com/PalmSpringsForeverMarilyn.
"Forever Marilyn" Sculpture Details
Material: Bronze and Stainless Steel
Height: 26 Feet Tall
Weight: 34,300 lbs
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
