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List Price: $14.99 | | Label: Empire Musicwerks
Salesrank: 78041
Released: August 9, 2005 |
| Our Price: $8.31 |
| Used Price: $6.98 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
This feature documentary debunks the myths about Marilyn Monroe and her legacy. Through the eyes of her first husband, Jim Dougherty, the truth about Marilyn Monroe and her early life as Norma Jeane Baker is revealed in captivating interviews with this Renaissance man. Clearly, without Jim Dougherty, Marilyn Monroe would never have morphed into the iconic Hollywood superstar that she became. Most importantly, Jim was her Svengali, her first lover, and her friend for life. Even though Hollywood seduced Marilyn into the world of bright lights and stardom, she still yearned for Jim, despite the veiled threat of ruining her meteoric career. In effect, the Hollywood moguls threatened her, and beguiled her into leaving Jim for the lure of mega-money and celebrity. But the price was steep, and she was victimized by the nefarious world of Tinsel Town. The film features numerous unseen photos and rare clips of Marilyn Monroe, integrated with mesmerizing interviews with Jim Dougherty as well as other individuals that knew the truth about her legacy.
Marilyn's Man Reviews:
Rare Norma Jean info before she was Marilyn Monroe 
2009-11-03 - This documentary is special and somewhat historic in that very little is known about Norma Jean before she became "Marilyn Monroe." Some of her history was made up by the studios or PR people. Here Jim Dougherty gives true insight into Norma Jean. He was just a normal man who happened to become involved with a woman who was going to be one of the most famous, legendary, iconic and mesmerizing persons in the world. Peeling away the layers of her persona with his insight still leaves her interesting and an enigma.
Mr. Dougherty's story is poignant and touching. After 4 years of marriage to Norma Jean he eventually found his own way to move on and remarry a loving woman and have children. He admits to only knowing Norma Jean and NOT "Marilyn Monroe." A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet. The power of her legend followed him for the rest of his life. I'm glad I have this in my collection.
Boring 
2008-03-03 - I couldn't even finish to watch the 'documentary'. Poorly done and boring. Not even for a Marilyn fan.
This title sucks! He wasn't her man, just a ticket. 
2008-02-15 - The honest to God truth is that Jim Dougherty was not very nice to Norma Jeane. He married her as a "favor" and not for love; he went out drinking and hunting with his "buddies" on a regular basis; stopped off at the pool hall after work on most nights; left Norma Jeane alone so very often, which was the very thing she hoped to escape in life - the lonliness and rejection she'd always known. Always scared to death of being rejected again or sent off to the friggin orphanage or another "foster family" she didn't know, she just longed for some normalcy in her life and getting married sounded like the ticket for belonging!! And she was crazy about him! He treated her bad, he told her to shut up a lot, he belittled her when they went out on the town by dancing with other women while leaving Marilyn at the table on her own - things like that. After having sex with her, he'd just turn over and go to sleep, leaving her awake, cold, and alone wondering if she was doing things right to please him. She was 16 - what a nice age to be shoved off on a man cause you're simply "in the way." No one EVER told the poor girl the birds & bees or anything about sex. She had to learn all that from a male cheauvanist like Jim? ewwww. He knew she was an animal lover and yet he'd bring a dead rabbit or other animal home to skin in their kitchen, which sent her into histerics! He didn't truly love her which is why he didn't think nothing of treating her this way. And to think - he had the best thing in his life - a girl who had nothing but kindness and love in her heart, always willing to give and not take, never demanding, and just as sweet as anyone could be. He actually didn't know a good thing when he had it. She finally wised up after 4 years of pretty much "spousal abuse via verbal & abandonment." Here he leaves her alone while he takes off for the merchant marines. She begged him not to leave. He had a good job at Lockheed! He left for the merchant because his buddies were going. He was a man's man and all he really cared ABout was being with his buddies. The last thing Norma needed was to be "abandoned" again!!! She was never loved by a soul at that point in her life. He deserved what he got - an empty house upon return! Yea, after she became famous he has a story to tell, of course. Well, if he'd treated her like the angel that she was - he wouldn't have got "left behind" - he got some of his own medicine. He turned into a better man with age and experience, sure, but that didn't help Norma Jeane any. Little too late. I believe the only man who really loved her with his whole heart was Joe D. Unfortunately he was extremely jealous. Not a good combination with a "sex-symbol" eye-popping, gorgeous wife. Poor Marilyn. If there's a heaven, she's there.
****WARNING*****WARNING*******
2006-09-26 - This is the slowest, worst "documentary" I've seen to once again take advantage of Marilyn Monroe's name. It is the long rantings of an old codger who is trying to remember anything he can make up about his loveless marriage to the great Marilyn. She dropped him as soon as she could after the marriage was arranged. She saw where her life would end up if she stayed with him.
The woman he should be thanking and doing the documentary about is his present wife, who I'm sure has put up with a lot over the years. Let it go, Jim.....it's getting pathetic.
sentimental but sloppy
2006-02-05 - I have to agree that the film is very poorly edited. It is touching and interesting, but poorly done.
FYI one of the pictures in one of the many photo montages is not Marilyn Monroe, it is a a Marilyn Monroe look-alike...me!
The picture has been my publicity shot for over 13 years and has been published in books and on many websites as being me in all that time. The producer refuses to admit his mistake, so to try to halt any future confusion I am letting you all know here.
As for the film...its worth seeing because Marilyn is in it.
