Marilyn Monroe - The Final Days

Starring: Marilyn Monroe, James Coburn, David Brown, Gene Allen, Henry T. Weinstein, Walter Bernstein, Hyman Engelberg, Susan Strasberg, Richard Raguse, Steve Allen, Cyd Charisse, Evelyn Moriarty, Richard Meryman, Eunice Murray, Van Johnson, Robert Christopher Morley, Lyndon Johnson, Lee Strasberg, Alexandra Heilweil, John F. Kennedy
Director: Patty Ivins Specht
Studio: Image Entertainment
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC
Running Time: 117 minutes
DVD Release: August 2nd 2005

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DVD Review

In The Final Days, producer-director Patty Ivins chronicles Marilyn Monroe's final, aborted feature film, Something's Got to Give, which was ultimately shut down after the star was dismissed from the production. Beyond Monroe's fragile emotional and physical health, this well-crafted profile examines the financial crisis facing her studio as well as the mounting frustration of meticulous director George Cukor and his cast, including costar Dean Martin, as Monroe's absences drove the shoot over budget. The 2001 documentary, which was previously available only as part of The Diamond Collection, concludes with a 40-minute reconstruction of footage completed for the feature, which would subsequently be reshot as a vehicle for Doris Day and James Garner, Move Over, Darling. --Sam Sutherland

User Reviews

Something's Got to Give - The Last Act - Rating: 5/5

The very touching "Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days". Narrated by James Cobourn, it's an open and honest look at what took place in the last few months of Marilyn's life, and the problems she was having while filming her final film. It's practically a day by day, sometimes an hour by hour account of the events leading to Marilyn's death. Her many missed days on the set of due to poor health and assorted maladies, caused the cast and crew many problems. But..she was Marilyn, and the stars, her Doctors, Susan Strassberg,and others close to her during her last days speak about those very emotional days. Some of these interviews alone, are keepsakes from greats no longer with us. There is also never-before-seen footage and some wonderful scenes of Marilyn interacting with the children of the film. Other great footage, includes the famous Birthday party scene for President Kennedy, and the nude scenes she did in the pool for the film.

Immediately following the documentary there is an edited, reconstruction of the scenes shot for the film. This film, also starring Dean Martin, "Something's Got To Give", which was to be a remake of the Grant/Dunne film "My Favorite Wife", finally saw an audience as "Move Over Darling" with James Garner and Doris Day.

This is an absolute must for MM fans. It's a piece of cinematic history to be treasured. It may also be purchased in a fabulous set, The Marilyn Monroe Diamond Collection which also includes Bus Stop / How to Marry a Millionaire / There's No Business Like Show Business / Gentlemen Prefer Blondes / The Seven Year Itch. The DVD runs nearly 2 hours in total.

Enjoy....Laurie

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