Description:

Marilyn Monroe
n.p., February 12, 1962
Marilyn Monroe's Best Personally Owned & Annotated Script for Unfinished Last Film, "Something's Got to Give" (1962)
Annotated manuscript

Marilyn Monroe's personally owned revision script for "Something's Got to Give", written by Nunnally Johnson. Revised Screenplay dated February 12, 1962. Consisting of 115 mimeograph pages (34 of which are printed on blue paper to represent script changes), with Monroe's numerous annotations in ink and pencil found on approximately 41 pages. Of these, 12 are heavily annotated, with notes referring to lines, characters and their motivations, blocking, and more. Bound in light blue paper wrappers with Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation logo along bottom edge and film title printed on spine. Exhibits wear from evident use, including small page tears and scattered staining throughout, with light soiling to covers and loss near spine.

Previously sold at Christie's on October 28, 1999, realizing a sum of $25,300. A significant relic from Monroe's final project, left unfinished by her death in the summer of 1962.

Provenance: Ex. Christie's, "The Personal Property of Marilyn Monroe", Sale 9216, Lot 49, October 28, 1999.

Highlighted annotations include:

- (On title): "We've got a dog here - so we've got to look for impacts in a different way, or as Mr. Johnson says, the situation."

- (Page 7): [Monroe queries Bianca's use of the term "psychosomatic"] "would she come right out with this sort of thing? I feel a hint of what she's getting to would be more real"; [she goes on to ask] "How can she say this at this point - too early? Gives away what she will be saying later...No! she is not a Nut but a cold Hard dame!...Maybe she could also be one of these 'practical' types - a bookkeeper at heart."

- (Page 7a): [commenting on lines of the judge] "This is funny?"

- (Page 12): "Ellen is no longer Irene Dune [sic]- and the only people on earth I get on well with is men- so lets have some fun with this opening scene on Ellen plus impact for the picture."

- (Page 23): [remarking on Bianca taking Nick's hand] "Let's remember she is frigid - We all know what Kinsey found out about most females. This has got to be one in one way or another."

- (on verso of last page): [referring to the character Dr. Schlick, who has a German accent] "Alex Guinness/ Oh goodness/ on/ vot - what/ I am so merry."

"Something's Got to Give" (1962) is an unfinished feature film directed by George Cukor, starring Marilyn Monroe as "Ellen", Dean Martin as "Nick", and Cyd Charisse as "Bianca". The plot follows Ellen Arden (Monroe), a mother of two declared legally dead after being lost at sea, who returns after being rescued to find her husband has remarried. A remake of the 1940 film "My Favorite Wife" featuring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, it is most notable for being Monroe's last work. From the beginning of its production, the project was disrupted by her growing health struggles, and the film was ultimately abandoned after her death on August 4, 1962.

The first setback occurred just days before filming was set to begin, when Monroe was diagnosed with severe sinusitis. Despite the recommendation of her doctors that production be postponed, Cukor proceeded with filming as scheduled, shooting scenes that omitted the leading lady. Over the next month filming continued mostly without Monroe, who showed up only occasionally due to fever, headaches, chronic sinusitis and bronchitis. As production continued to fall behind schedule, the actress took another break on May 19th to sing "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" at John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration in New York.

After not making it to set again the next week due to poor health, Cukor pushed for her dismissal and she was fired from the project on June 8, 1962. The decision to fire Monroe was further influenced by the progress of Twentieth Century-Fox's epic film "Cleopatra" (1963), also in production that summer and far over its budget. However, when co-star Dean Martin refused to work with anyone but Monroe on the film, she was begrudgingly hired back with the stipulation that she complete "Something's Got to Give", plus another film slated to be "What a Way to Go!" (1964), which eventually starred Shirley MacLaine. Less than a month later on August 5th, Monroe was tragically found dead in her Brentwood home by probable suicide from barbiturate overdose. Twentieth Century-Fox subsequently overhauled the entire production with a new cast and crew, retitling the film "Move Over, Darling" (1963) which stars Doris Day, James Garner, and Polly Bergen.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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    Dimensions:
  • 8.5" x 11"
  • Artist Name:
  • Marilyn Monroe
  • Medium:
  • Annotated manuscript<br />

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April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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