"I seldom write letters, but I love calling friends, especially late at night, when I can't sleep".
M.M.



Letters to Grace Goddard:

June 15, 1944

Dearest Grace,
I was so happy to hear from you. I was so thrilled to read your letter and learn of all that you have been doing lately.
   I will send you your picture very shortly now, I'm going down Saturday to find out more about it. Also will send you lots of snap shots at the same time I send you the picture. I found out that 10" x 12" ( that was the size you wanted, wasn't it?) costs exactly $5.00.
 Jimmie has been gone for seven weeks and the first word I received from him was " Darling, on your birthday,  I send you a whole world of love". I was simply thrilled to death to hear from him. I have never really written and told you of Jimmie's and my married life together. Of course I know that if it hasn't been for you we might not have ever been married and I know I owe you a lot for that fact alone, besides countless others. That is why I feel that I should let you know about us. I love Jimmie just more than anyone ( in a different way I suppose than anyone) and I know I shall never be happy with anyone else as long as I live, and I know he feels the same towards me so you see we really are very happy together, that is of course, when we can be together. We will be married two years June 19th. And we really have had quite a happy life together.
         I am working 10 hs a day at Radioplane Co, at Metropolitan airport. I am saving almost everything I earn ( to help pay for our future home after the war). The work isn't easy at all for I am on my feet all day and walking quite a bit. I was all set to get a Civil Service Job with the army, all my papers filled out and everything set to go, and then I found out I would be working with all army fellows. I was over there one day, there are just too many wolves to work with, there are enough of those at Radioplane Co. without a whole army full of them. The Personal Officer said that he would hire me but that he wouldn't advice it for my own sake,so I am back at Radioplane Co. partly contented.
        Well I guess that is about all for now.


With much love,
Norma Jeane





                                                                                  Sunday, December 3, 1944
Dearest Grace,
Thank you so much for the little black dress you sent to me. I just love it. All it will need is just shortening and taken in around the waist and hips. It was awfully sweet of you to send it to me.
             As much as I like that black dress ( with the pink satin) I just couldn't keep it, Grace because it just fits you and it looks so nice on you. I would have to have it fixed and besides I just wouldn't feel right about it, it's such an expensive dress at all, though it was so sweet of you to give it to me. I shall just borrow it as I am doing with the hat.
             I found out that it's possible to buy a Gold Coast Monkey Coat. I shall write to you about it later.
            I had very enjoyable trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, I wasn't sick even once. Everyone was just grand to me on the train, I'll tell you about it sometime.
           Jimmie hasn't come home yet but maybe he might make it before Christmas, but he doesn't think so. I certainly hope he'll be home, it just won't seem right without him. I love him so very much, honestly I don't think there is another man alive like him. He really is awfully sweet.
           I hope your not working so hard now Grace, and getting more rest and sleep. Please write to me about your self.
           I shall send you more money a little later.
       I can't ever tell you how much the trip did to me. I shall be grateful to you Grace forever. I love you and Daddy so much. I sure miss you Grace.

With Love
xoxoxo  Norma Jeane

P.S.  Tell everyone at the studio "hello"       







June 4th, 1945

My dearest Grace,
I'm awfully sorry I haven't written sooner but honestly I have been so busy trying to get moved, getting Jimmie ready to leave and just a million things at one time.
              I haven't worked at Radioplane Company since January. They keep asking me to come back but I don't really want to do that kind of work because it makes me so darn tired. I just don't care about anything when I'm that tired.
              The day I went back to work after my trip back East with you, they had some Army photographers there at work and they were taking moving pictures for Army training.
               The first thing I knew the leadlady and leadman had me out there having the Army taking pictures of me. They all asked me where  the h-- I had been hiding. I told them I had been back East on leave of absence, with my folks.
              They took a lot of moving pictures of me, and some of them asked me for dates etc. ( Naturally I refused!)
               They were all nice Army officers and men. After the finished with some of the pictures. A Army Cpl. by the name of David Conover told me he would be very interested in getting some color still shots of me. He used to have a studio on "the strip" on sunset. He said he would make arrangements with the Plant superintendent if I would agree so I said okay he told me what to wear and what shade of lipsrtick etc. so the next couple of weeks I posed for him at different times, when ever he could get over to the plant. He had to come form Culver City each time. He is now with the 1st Motion Picture Unit.
                 He called me at the plant one morning later and said that all the pictures came out perfect also he said that I should by all means go into modelling prof. He also said that I photographed well and that he wants to take a lot more. Also he said he had a lot of contacts in which he wanted me to look into.
                  I told him I would rather not work when Jimmie was here so he said he would wait, so I'm expecting to hear from him most any time again. He called not long ago and said he had a lot more prints for me to keep.
                  He is awfully nice and is married and is strictly business which is the way I like it. Jimmy seems to like the idea of me modeling so I'm glad about that.
                  I'm going to ask David Conover for some more prints and I'll send you some.
                   What do you hear from Ray Wolfe? Do you still think that Daddy can fix it up okay?
                  I shall be so happy to see you again dear and to see Daddy and Bebe, because I love you all so much.
                I'll write you again tomorrow, I promise!

With Love, Norma Jeane
xoxoxo

P.S. Please excuse my writing because I'm in a hurry.




  Letters to Norman Rosten:

 Dear Norman,
It feels a little funny to be writing the name " Norman" since my own name is Norma and it feels like I'm writing my own name almost, however_
First, thanks for letting Sam and me visit you and Hedda on Saturday - it was nice. I enjoyed meeting your wife she was very warm to me_
However again_
Thanks the most again for your book of poetry - which I spent all Sunday morning in bed with. It touched me very much - I used to think that if I ever had a child I would have wanted only a son - but after " Songs for Patricia"- I know I would have a little girl as much - but maybe the former feeling was only Freudan anyway or something - I used to write poetry sometimes but usually I was depressed at those times. The few I showed it to - ( in fact about two people) - said that it depressed them - one of them cried but it was an old friend I'd known for a long time. Hope to see you again.

So anyway thanks
And my best to Hedda and Patricia and you_
Marilyn M.






Dear Norman,
Don't give up the ship while we're sinking. I have a feeling this boat is never going to dock. We're going through the Straits of Dire. It's rough and it's choppy but why should I worry I have no phallis symbol to lose.

Marilyn
P.S. " Love me for my yellow hair alone"
I would have written this by hand but it's trembling.





Dear Norman,
There is a homemade strawberry shortcake in the fridge, also milk - help yourself. Also, however long you need to be here - 1 wk-2 wks etc. feel free to come and go as you please...You are not imposing. We're glad you're aboard - even if we go down sinking - the more the merrier!

 I'm leaving you with this stanza ( from an unchildlike childhood)_
Here goes_
Good nite
Sleep
and sweet repose,
wherever you lay your Head_
I hope you find your nose_

Marilyn




To Dr Markus Rabwin, 1952:
(before her appendix operation)

                                                 Dear Doctor,
Cut as little as possible. I know it seems vain but that doesn't relly enter into it - the fact that I'm a woman is important and means much to me. Save please ( can't ask you enough) what you can - I'm in your hands. You have children and you must know what it means - please Doctor- I know somehow you will! thank you - for Gods sakes Dear Doctor No ovaries removed_ please again do whatever you can to prevent long scars.
       Thanking you with all my heart.
Marilyn Monroe



To Dr Ralph Greenson:
(A Western Union Telegram )
LBHA160PD=BEVERLY HILLS CALIF 204P PDT=DR RALPH GREENSON=

=DEAR MR GREENSON: IN THIS WORLD OF PEOPLE I'M GLAD THERE'S YOU. I HAVE A FEELING OF HOPE THOUGH TODAY I'M THREE FIVE=
MARILYN





To Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy:
( A Western Union Telegram)

June 13, 1962.
ATTY GENERAL AND MRS. ROBERT KENNEDY: I WOULD HAVE ACCEPTED YOUR INVITATION HONORING PAT AND PETER LAWFORD. UNFORTUNATELY I AM INVOLVED IN A FREEDOM RIDE PROTESTING THE LOSS OF THE MINORITY RIGHTS BELONGING TO THE FEW REMAINING EARTHBOUND STARS. AFTER ALL, ALL WE DEMANDED WAS OUR RIGHT TO TWINKLE.
MARILYN MONROE



Love letter to Joe Di Maggio ( she never sent it):

( Dear Joe, if I can only succeed in making you happy, I will have succeded in the biggest and most difficult thing there is _ that is to make one person completely happy. Your happiness, makes my happiness.)


Letter  to Lee and Paula Strassberg, 1961:


Lee and Paula,
Dr Kris has had me put into the New York Hospital - pshichiatric 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 science memories around here I'd like to forget - like screaming women 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 theres nothing to write on here. I'm on the dangerous floor it's like hell. Can you imagine - cement blocks. They put me in here because they lied to me about calling my doctor and 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.    





Letter to Lester Markel, Sunday Editor of the New York Times:

Lester dear,
Here I am still in bed. I've been lying here thinking _ even of you...About our political conversation the other day: I take it back that there isn't anybody. What about Rockfeller? First of all he is a Republican like the New York Times, and secondly, and most interesting, he's more liberal than many of the Democrats. Maybe he could be developed? At this time, however, Humphrey might be the only one. But who knows since it's rather hard to find out anything about him ( I have no particular paper in mind!). Of course, Stevenson might have made it if he had been able to talk to people instead of professors. Of course, there hasn't been anyone like Nixon before because the rest of them at least had souls!
Ideally, Justice William Douglas would be the  President but he has been divorced so he couldn't make it - but I've got an idea -  how about Douglas for President and Kennedy for Vice - President then the Catholics who wouldn't have voted for Douglas would vote because of Kennedy so it wouldn't matter if he is so divorced! Then Stevenson could be Secretary of State!
        ...It is true I am in your building quite frequently to see my wondeful doctor as your spies have already reported. I didn't want you to get a glimpse of me until I was wearing my somali leopard. I want you to think of me as a predatory animal.
Love and kisses,
Marilyn
P.S. Slogans for late '60:
" Nix on Nixon"
" Over the hump with Humphrey(?)"
" Stymied with Symington"
" Back to Boston by X-mas Kennedy".