Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters by Marilyn Monroe Read Free Book Online

from this nightmare). In any case, Marilyn proved single-minded. Prompted by her sense of having escaped from quicksand, in a resolute letter to Lee Strasberg dated December 19, 1961, she laid out her plan for a new independent production company, which would make sense to her only if Lee were associated with it. To the very end, she wanted to be free of the studios, but this time she wanted to challenge them on their turf, in Hollywood.

     
Oh yes Mr. Oxl e y is always
complaining about my pu n ctuation
so now I’m careful to get here
before 9:00 . Mr. Oxl e y is on
telephone won’t you sit down
     
loose letting go
voice starts back the a tre
     
[following is written by Lee Strasberg]
Don’t be nervous Marilyn
you are doing swell &
you look wonderful—
L.
     
    Notes:
    The chronically late pupil used this line from Monkey Business (the 1952 Howard Hawks film in which Mr. Oxley is Marilyn’s director) with no little humor when addressing her teacher (who may have been speaking on the telephone at that moment).
     
     
    To judge by his reply, it is not clear that Lee Strasberg understood either the allusion or the quotation.

     
    Dear Lee
    One of the most personally helpful things I’ve heard so far in my life was what you said in class friday afternoon—it was helpful in that I feel as though I’m a little bit freer—also more—I can’t think of any I mean by that more relaxed 2 and 2 don’t necessarly make 4.
     

     
    Paula dear,
    You asked me yesterday why—
    I felt somehow (I’m only conceiving of it this morning) that if I didn’t have the control or the will to make myself do anything simple & do it right I would never be able to act or do anything—I know it sounds crazy—maybe it was even superstitious—I don’t know—I don’t know anything.
    Something has happened I think to make me lose my confidence. I don’t know what it is. All I know is I want to work .
    Oh Paula I wish I knew why I am so anguished. I think maybe I’m crazy like all the other members of my family were, when I was sick I was sure I was. I’m so glad you are with me here!
     
     

     
    Marilyn Monroe with Paula and Lee Strasberg, New York, 1955
     
     

     

     
    Dear Lee & Paula,
    Dr. Kris has had me put into the New York Hospital—psychiatric division under the care of two idiot doctors—they both should not be my doctors .
    You haven’t heard from me because I’m locked up with all these poor nutty people. I’m sure to end up a nut if I stay in this nightmare—please help me Lee, this is the last place I should be—maybe if you called Dr. Kris and assured her of my sensitivity and that I must get back to class so I’ll be better prepared for “Rain.”
    Lee, I try to remember what you said once in class “that art goes far beyond science.”
    And the scary memories around me I’d like to forget—like screaming woman etc.
    Please help me—if Dr. Kris assures you I am all right—you can assure her I am not . I do not belong here!
I love you both.
Marilyn
    P.S. forgive the spelling—and there is nothing to write on here. I’m on the dangerous floor!! It’s like a cell can you imagine—cement blocks. They put me in here because they lied to me about calling my doctor & Joe and they had the bathroom door locked so I broke the glass and outside of that I haven’t done anything that is uncooperative
     
    Note: Rain , adapted from a Somerset Maugham short story, was a TV project that Lee Strasberg hoped to direct. Marilyn Monroe and John Gielgud were to have had the main parts. The film was never made because of a disagreement between NBC and Lee Strasberg.

     

     
     

     
    Marilyn Monroe and Lee Strasberg in a café near Carnegie Hall in New York
     
     

     

 
     

LETTER TO DR. HOHENBERG
     

    1956
     
    Before accepting Marilyn as a student of his “Method,” Lee Strasberg made it a condition that she start psychoanalysis. From the spring of 1955, therefore, three to five times a week, the actress