Tag Archives: Marilyn Monroe

“I have often wished I had time to cultivate modesty… but I am too busy thinking about myself.” — poet Edith Sitwell

Posted on September 7, 2025 by sheila

Born on this day. I don’t remember Sitwell being “read” in my poetry class in college, and I don’t remember her being covered in my English or Humanities classes in high school. She doesn’t seem to be one of the … Continue reading →

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“I’m not interested in money. I just want to be wonderful.” – Marilyn Monroe

Posted on June 1, 2025 by sheila

It’s her birthday. Marilyn Monroe: People had a habit of looking at me as if I were some kind of mirror instead of a person. They didn’t see me, they saw their own lewd thoughts, then they white-masked themselves by … Continue reading →

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“Boredom is very important in life. It helps you feel when something is wrong.” — John Strasberg

Posted on May 20, 2025 by sheila

It’s John Strasberg’s birthday today. I told this story before on here years ago, when I used to write like this on here, on occasion. Figured I’d re-post it. He is very very important to me. Back in the late … Continue reading →

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For International Women’s Day: Ladies I Love

Posted on March 8, 2025 by sheila

I post edited versions of this every year. I add names. I take names off if I feel like it. I enjoy compiling it. It’s not just about enjoyment. As women’s rights are up for grabs more than ever, like … Continue reading →

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“I wasn’t born an actress, you know. Events made me one.” — Jean Harlow

Posted on March 3, 2025 by sheila

Today is Jean Harlow’s birthday. Here is a discussion Mitchell and I had about her. The setup of the conversation (an ongoing series): I throw names of famous people at Mitchell, and ask him to describe each person in only … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies, On This Day | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

My new column at Liberties magazine: First up: acting and film criticism and how the twain meet

Posted on April 10, 2024 by sheila

I have some exciting (to me) news. I’ll be writing a regular column for Liberties – the website for the quarterly magazine – host to a daunting lineup of writers! I launched my column with a piece about being a … Continue reading →

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Marilyn and Abe: a lifelong relationship

Posted on February 17, 2024 by sheila
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July 2023 Viewing Diary

Posted on August 6, 2023 by sheila

July was busy. I bought a new car. My old one basically disintegrated around me, so much so that the mechanic didn;t even want me to drive it home from his shop. I found a new apartment, and the market … Continue reading →

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Marilyn Monroe and Method Acting

Posted on August 4, 2023 by sheila

Nobody writes about Marilyn Monroe like my friend Kim Morgan. Nobody. That’s why I am so excited she wrote about Marilyn for Criterion – and not only Marilyn, but Marilyn’s connection to Method acting, and how important that technique was … Continue reading →

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Mirrors #15

Posted on June 7, 2023 by sheila

Marilyn Monroe as the troubled broken Nell in one of her best performances in Don’t Bother to Knock. As with so many broken characters in cinema, Nell is drawn – irresistibly – to the mirror. Not for vanity. But to … Continue reading →

Posted in Actors, Movies | Tagged , , | 4 Comments