Look under Marilyn Monroe's skirt: legendary photos because of which the famous actress's marriage fell apart (9 photos)

On September 15, 1954, Lexington Avenue in New York City was crowded. They filmed the comedy “The Seven Year Itch” with rising star Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell. In the story, a couple left the cinema, and the breeze from the subway from a passing train, blowing through a ventilation grille installed right in the sidewalk, made the girl’s skirt fly up.







Another would have immediately tamed her skirt, and Marilyn exclaimed: “Can you feel the breath of the subway? So nice!”



Even if you haven't seen the film, you've likely seen footage of Monroe taken that evening. The filming of the scene attracted hundreds of people, including a crowd of photographers. It was essentially a promotional event, the purpose of which was to create excitement around the film. The crowd made a loud noise and director Billy Wilder (he directed the wonderful films “Sabrina”, “Some Like It Hot” and “The Apartment”) later reshot the episode in the studio.



The idea was a success - pictures with a fluttering skirt appeared everywhere and The Seven Year Itch became a big box office hit. If you watch this romantic comedy, you will probably notice that the scene with the skirt is shown very modestly, with just a glimpse of the legs in the frame. You have to understand: the mid-50s were quite conservative times, even in Hollywood.



It is believed that these photographs cost Marilyn Monroe her marriage. At that time, she was married to a successful athlete - the famous baseball player Joe DiMaggio. The marriage lasted less than a year. The Italian was jealous for any reason, but then he simply went mad - the whole country was looking at his wife’s legs in detail. DiMaggio adhered to traditional views on relationships. He didn’t like his wife’s roles, her costumes, or the fact that other actors kissed her. Monroe said it was part of the job, and DiMaggio insisted on her leaving the profession.



That September evening, the couple had a huge fight. There is a version that the Italian even raised his hand to her. A few weeks later, Marilyn filed for divorce. Later they reconciled, were friends, DiMaggio even asked for her hand again (and was refused). But that is another story. And our story is about cheerful photographs taken 70 years ago and not forgotten to this day. What a beautiful and bright woman she was!