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Thomas Dunne Books

Before Marilyn: The Blue Book Modeling Years

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At a glance

Condition
New
Dimensions
8.03 x 0.97 x 10.71 in
Weight
2.75 lb
Publisher
Thomas Dunne Books
Publication date
November 10, 2015
Language
English
Print length
240 pages

Description

Before Marilyn tells the story of Marilyn Monroe's modelling career, during which time she was signed to the famous Blue Book Agency in Hollywood. The head of the agency, Miss Emmeline Snively, saw potential in the young woman and kept detailed records and correspondence throughout their professional relationship and beyond. On the day of Monroe's funeral, Snively gave an interview from her office, talking about the girl she had discovered, before announcing, rather dramatically, that she was closing the lid on her Marilyn Monroe archive that day - to 'lock it away forever'. This archive was purchased by Astrid Franse, and together with bestselling Marilyn Monroe biographer Michelle Morgan they draw on this collection of never-before-seen documents, letters and much, much more. Before Marilyn explores an aspect of Monroe's life that has never been fully revealed - by charting every modelling job she did, and illustrating the text with rare and unpublished photographs of the young model and her mentor. Read more

Specs 8

Publisher Thomas Dunne Books
Publication date November 10, 2015
Language English
Print length 240 pages
ISBN-10 0
ISBN-13 00
Item Weight 2.75 pounds
Dimensions 8.03 x 0.97 x 10.71 inches

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Top Amazon Reviews

Allow me to congratulate authors Astrid Franse and Michelle Morgan ...
Allow me to congratulate authors Astrid Franse and Michelle Morgan for avoiding all the sensationalist traps and the invalid application of supposition and assumption while also avoiding the psychobabble that afflicts many of the books written about Norma Jeane and Marilyn. The word "affair" only appears in the text twice, the word "sex" only once—and not in relation to the actual act thereof—while the words "romance" and "lover", along with "psychology", are completely absent. Refreshing to say the least. For various and sundry reasons, lately I have read more than a few books about Marilyn's death; and BEFORE MARILYN: THE BLUE BOOK MODELING YEARS was a pleasant and refreshing respite from those odd and grotesque accounts of a mystery that will never be solved. However, BEFORE MARILYN solves one mystery: Emmeline Snively launched Norma Jeane's career and by extension, the career of Marilyn Monroe. As Emmeline wrote in one of her journals: "The days of the glamour girl are fading … The trees on the Tujunga River were washed away in the floods a few years ago and as one looks at the changes today, you can still look back to the girl who became a legend (Franse & Morgan KE:8)." And because of Astrid Franse and Michelle Morgan, and their book about the girl before Marilyn, you can now look back to the woman who helped create that legend: Emmeline Snively. A book definitely worth reading. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2016 by Donald R McGovern
Breathtaking.
What, only 5 stars? Need a lot more to express my love for this book. Thank you Miss Emmeline Snively for giving a young Norma Jeane a chance for fame and fortune. And thanks for holding on to all those photos and notes and memos. And special thanks to Astrid Franse for making the find of the century in that store that day and for holding on to everything in order to share with all us fans now. Michelle Morgan does a fine putting together all this material and getting this book published. There are scores of color and black and white photos not seen by this long time collector before. Sprinkled throughout the book are many photos you may have seen before but they are appropriately placed in the timeline of Marilyn's career. This book covers the modeling years and beyond with notes by Miss Snively made after Marilyn's modelling years. I highly recommend this book to Marilyn fans and aspiring models. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2015 by Joe, The
Marilyn Monroe modeling years
I always wanted this book due to her modeling career. Very excited reading it. Thank you.
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2020 by Linda Salas
Quite lovely
It's fascinating to think, that although she has been written about so many times, nothing has really been written about her modeling career,this pretty much fills the void. It really is about the blue book modeling agency,as much as about MM., but kinda necessary to understand where THE ONLY BLONDE IN THE WORLD was coming from (and can you believe it ,its all natural blonde too?) ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2016 by Alan C.
A must have book
Very good book with tons of photos and a great story of Marilyn in the beginning of her stardom. This is a story we know very little about. The story about her early model years. High quality print and thick glossy paper. Great coffee table book for every MM fan
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2018 by dalein
A must have for a Marilyn fan!
Been a fan of Michelle Morgan's books for a while. Especially "Marilyn Monroe: Private and Undisclosed". Once again, I'm amazed by her work and research. The pictures were amazing too. A great in depth look at Marilyn's modeling days. Finished the book the day I got it. A great read. Add to my collection of favorites! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2015 by Marina
Received
Fantastic book. Lil slow receiving.
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2018 by Barbarann
Love this book
I actually fell upon this book at my public library and was sad when it was due, so I looked on Amazin and luckily found a copy. Wonderful, factual book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2017 by Sharon Ostrov
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