Lawrence Schiller, now 89, first met Marilyn Monroe in 1960 on the set of Let's Make Love. He recalls pulling into the 20th Century Fox parking lot, telling himself it was just another assignment, but he was excited. When Marilyn appeared in a black leotard and sheer stockings, she initially passed by him. After a publicist introduced him, she stopped and said, 'Hi, Larry from Look. I'm Marilyn.' Schiller replied, 'And I'm the Big Bad Wolf,' making her laugh.
A Unique Connection
During a shoot in her dressing room, Schiller revealed he was blind in his left eye due to a childhood accident. He says, 'The look on her face changed from curiosity to concern. Her eyes became warmer and watery, as if what I was describing gave her comfort.' He didn't understand her reaction at the time but later realized some questions have no answers.
Marilyn's Understanding of Light
Schiller describes Marilyn as a 'dream to photograph.' She had final photo approval and once advised him on lighting, saying, 'That's not the best angle for me. If you go over there, you'll get a better photo, because the light will be better.' He moved and she gave a coy smile that told him she knew who she was and understood light better than he did.
Delays and Dedication
Marilyn often arrived late on set, keeping everyone waiting for hours. Schiller learned she felt underpaid and battled Fox for years, noting that for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Jane Russell was paid $200,000 while Marilyn earned about $15,000 for the entire picture. When she finally emerged, she was all business, and her power was undeniable.
Final Days and Death
Schiller shot Marilyn many times until her death in August 1962 from a barbiturate overdose, ruled a probable suicide. He believes it was accidental: 'I can imagine Marilyn drinking champagne that night, popping some pills, forgetting about the pills she had already taken and taking some more, and finally knocking herself out. Only this time she didn't wake up.'
Legacy
Schiller's book Marilyn & Me, published by Taschen, includes over 100 images from her final days. He says, 'Marilyn Monroe is a bigger star today than she ever was when she was alive. The sound of Marilyn's voice still rings true in my ears.'
