Photo Flash: The Hollywood Museum Presents MARILYN REMEMBERED

The Star-Studded Reception Opening the Largest Exhibition Ever of Marilyn Monroe Memorabilia was hosted by Loni Anderson, who appeared wearing a Marilyn Monroe original gown purchased for her honeymoon with Joe Dimaggio and later worn to entertain thousands of service men during her famous visit to Korea.

Joining Ms. Anderson for the preview was a celebrated list of industry elite including Donzaleigh Abernathy, Gloria Allred, Alison Arngrim, Robert Conrad, EG Daily, Roland Kickinger, Kate Linder, Rose Marie, Jaime Monroy, Cathy Silvers, Kevin Sorbo, Judy Tenuta (who came in full Monroe regalia), the artist Ludvic as well as Marian Collier who worked with Marilyn on "Some Like it Hot" and Stanley Rubin who produced "River of No Return" with Monroe in 1954.

The Hollywood Museum's special exhibit "MARILYN REMEMBERED: An Intimate Look At The Legend" showcases hundreds of never before seen items representing the public and private life of Marilyn Monroe, including her 1961 Fleetwood Cadillac, costumes, personal photographs, furniture and more.

Glamorous dresses and jewelry worn by Marilyn Monroe plus her personal film scripts for "Niagara," "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "How to Marry a Millionaire" are among the more than 200 items on display in the largest exhibition of Marilyn memorabilia ever assembled -- "Marilyn Remembered: An Intimate Look at the Legend." The exhibit is open to the public from June 1 - Marilyn's 84th birthday - and continues to Aug. 31 at the Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor Building.

The exhibition combines the museum's Marilyn collection with the collections of Scott Fortner, Greg Schriener, Lois Banner, Bryan Johns, Jill Adams and Heidi Hanson-Hidrobo. On view will be costumes she donned in "Gentleman Prefer Blondes," "How to Marry a Millionaire," "The Prince and the Showgirl," "Let's Make Love" and "There's No Business Like Show Business."

The exhibit also showcases the full-length beaver coat given to her by third husband Arthur Miller, the evening cape she wore to the New York premiere of "East of Eden" and the green silk Pucci blouse she donned in the last photos taken of Marilyn before her death. From her death scene, the exhibit includes an empty pill bottle discovered on her bedside table.

"This exhibit offers the best chance ever to get to know Marilyn Monroe intimately," says museum president and founder Donelle Dadigan. "It includes some of her most glamorous possessions like the white fox fur muff she wore to the premiere of 'How to Marry a Millionaire,' but there's a special emphasis on displaying the personal items that reveal the real, everyday Marilyn up close. You can see the film and gossip magazines she liked to read, her makeup accessories, eye drops, telephone bill, her SAG card, and even an invoice from her psychiatrist.

"We display the furniture from her last apartment in Brentwood, including the refrigerator she painted blue when she felt quite blue herself one lonely Hollywood night," Dadigan adds.

Greg Schreiner, president of Marilyn Remembered, says, "Marilyn Monroe has been a huge part of my life and I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing exhibit at the Hollywood Museum. It will include a large part of my collection as well as several other major collectors. This promises to be the biggest and most exciting exhibit on Marilyn Monroe that the world has ever seen." On view will be several gowns created for Marilyn by Oscar-winning designer William "Billy" Travilla, original artwork by LUDVIC and photographs taken by Andre De Dienes, Milton Green, Tom Kelley and George Barris.

In addition to the Hollywood Museum, the exhibit is supported by St. Croix, Bonhams & Butterfields Auctioneers, Marilyn Wines, the Milton Greene Archives, OneWest Publishing and iS Clinical by Innovative Skincare.

"MARILYN REMEMBERED: An Intimate Look At The Legend"

WHERE: The Hollywood Museum, 1660 N. Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028
WHEN: 10 am to 5 pm Wednesday through Sunday
EXHIBIT INFO: Ends August 31, 2010
PRICE: $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and children under 12.
Public Info: (323) 464-7776
www.thehollywoodmuseum.com

The Hollywood Museum is the official museum of Hollywood and boasts 35,000 square feet, 4 floors of breathtaking exhibits and the home of more than 10,000 REAL Showbiz Treasures: Costumes from 'Twilight: New Moon,' 'Star Trek,' 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,' 'The Hurt Locker,' 'Inglourious Bastards,' 'The Blind Side,' 'High School Musical 2_ and more. The Hollywood Museum is housed in the world famous historic Max Factor Building, where Max Factor, wizard of movie make-up worked his magic on motion picture stars since 1935.

Photo Credit: Robert Freeman