The Queen of Technicolor: Maria Montez in Hollywood

I recently counted my books and realized my collection numbers over 1,000. My new series is focusing on reviewing these books, and new ones that come out, once a week. One of my research interests is the Latin American female experience in Hollywood from 1920-1960. Seeing a new Maria Montez biography last year, I knew […]

Berniece Baker Miracle Grave + First Home + Robert Jackie Baker Grave

I wouldn’t normally do a travel blog, but I have to share the story of finding Marilyn Monroe’s half-siblings’ graves. I’m going to preface this by pointing out that Robert’s grave is on private property, and I do not recommend anyone going up there. This isn’t because I was warded off or trespassed; however, the […]

Infantilizing Monroe

One of my main bones to pick (and trust me when I say there are many) with the Marilyn Monroe community is this undying need to showcase her as a strong, independent woman in one breath while infantilizing her in another. The most common instance of this phenomenon happens when people discuss her marriage to […]

Dressgate

I’ve avoided talking about Kim Kardashian wearing Marilyn Monroe’s dress because I wanted to see the damage that was done to it. Marilyn fans are sticklers for collecting photographs, and I knew it was only a matter of time before they started rolling in…and what came in was shocking to say the least. Today we’re […]

Revisiting Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye: The Barbara Payton Story by John O’Dowd

This year I am dedicating myself to reading (and rereading) books from my collection of over 900 volumes. I thought I would start with John O’Dowd’s biography on Barbara Payton, the only biography on the troubled blonde starlet. You may remember my previous article on O’Dowd’s second book, which was deemed one of my best […]