Remembering Marilyn

Werth here. Werth & Wise would like to take a moment on this, the 50th anniversary of her death to give a toast to Marilyn Monroe. Seeing her for the first time in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) was like a first sip of cinematic champagne and I've been chug-a-lugging from the bottle ever since. Blondes not only introduced me to Marilyn's talent and beauty, but she became a gateway drug to the world of classic cinema that has given me so many reasons to laugh, cry and get snippy. So here's to you, Marilyn. You are eternal. For a lovely photo review of Monroe's career, check out the photo archives at Life.com.