Some actors are merely good, others achieve greatness, but only a select few truly transcend the craft. Marilyn Monroe was undoubtedly one of those exceptional talents. While her acting was undeniably remarkable, it’s the multifaceted aspects of her life—her beauty, signature voice, glamorous style, and turbulent personal life—that have defined her iconic status. Her untimely death at just 36 years old only adds to her legendary narrative.
Monroe passed away in 1962 from what was deemed a probable suicide due to a barbiturate overdose, sending shockwaves through Hollywood. At the time, she was at the peak of her success, with so much more to give. The previous year, she starred in The Misfits, a contemporary western directed by John Huston and written by her ex-husband, Arthur Miller. Though the film did not perform well at the box office, it received favorable reviews. However, if circumstances had been different, Monroe’s story might have taken an alternate path.
In April 1962, just months before her death, Monroe began filming Something’s Got to Give, a project by director George Cukor that aimed to remake the classic My Favorite Wife. The cast included Dean Martin and Cyd Charisse from Singin’ in the Rain. To promote the film, the press was invited to witness Monroe filming a nude scene in a swimming pool. Photos of this event appeared in Life magazine, a bold move for the era. Sadly, the film itself would never see the light of day.
Something’s Got to Give was plagued with issues from the onset. Following the disastrous production of Cleopatra, 20th Century Fox was facing significant financial difficulties and was increasingly intolerant of any setbacks. Monroe’s personal struggles began to interfere with the film’s progress, prompting the studio to act decisively.
By this time, Monroe had developed a reputation for being difficult to work with. She often forgot her lines and required them to be written on set pieces just for her to read them. This erratic behavior nearly caused director Billy Wilder to quit during the filming of The Seven Year Itch and Some Like It Hot, and it continued during the production of Something’s Got to Give.
Before shooting began, Monroe informed producers she would be unavailable for a period to perform at President John F. Kennedy’s birthday celebration, causing further delays. Reports of more unprofessional conduct emerged, including excessive partying to celebrate her 36th birthday. Frustrated, Cukor insisted on her dismissal, leading to her removal from the project on June 4, 1962. Tragically, a telegram from Monroe to Cukor expressing her sorrow over being let go was later revealed, where she wrote, “Dear George, please forgive me. It was not my doing. I had so looked forward to working with you.”
After Monroe’s death, plans to complete Something’s Got to Give were indefinitely shelved. The film remains unfinished, with much of the footage still sealed away in a Fox vault, cementing it as an unfortunate chapter in the legacy of one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic stars.
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