FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Re: Coronado Museum Exhibit
Contact: Joe Ditler
619.435.7242

NEW EXHIBIT OPENS
AT CORONADO MUSEUM
"Marilyn at 80: Some Still Like it Hot!"

"It's not true that I had nothing on. I had the radio on." -- Marilyn Monroe

CORONADO -- To celebrate the anniversary of the late Marilyn Monroe's 80th birthday year, the Coronado Historical Association (CHA) and the Balboa Theatre Foundation hosted a major photographic exhibition at CHA that ran from October 9 through February 28. The showing was called, "Marilyn At 80: Some Still Like It Hot."

"Marilyn at 80" featured 64 Marilyn photographs from the famed Edward Weston Collection, some of which had never been shown to the general public. Exhibit images included shots by George Barris in the weeks leading up to her tragic death. They included the last photograph ever taken of Marilyn, "The Warm Up," a beautiful, yet somber shot of the starlet on a beach in Malibu.

Other images included shots of Marilyn and Joe DiMagio's infamous honeymoon, as well as images from the set of "Some Like it Hot," which was filmed at the historic Hotel del Coronado in 1958. The film was released in 1959 and received five Oscar nominations. It is still regarded as one of the best American comedies ever made.

The museum has been collecting first-hand memories from island residents who shared experiences with the actress. Among them is the story of a little boy whose dog she wanted to hold. "I'll give you a kiss," she offered in trade. Another describes how she ordered two poached eggs and a vanilla soufflé for breakfast every day during the shooting of "Some Like it Hot."

A third anecdote describes three young brothers determined to play a joke on the actress. They swam back and forth in the ocean in front of the Hotel Del during shooting of "Some Like it Hot," towing a fake shark fin. Monroe ran to the water's edge and screamed for help, which pleased the boys to no end.

As a fund-raiser benefiting the two historical entities, the photographs of the legendary sex symbol were auctioned off on eBay and at various live venues across San Diego in the subsequent months. The unique partnership between CHA and the Balboa Theatre Foundation was designed to raise money and generate awareness of the two organizations.

The Balboa Theatre Foundation's tribute to the iconic platinum blonde continued on November 24 with an exclusive preview of Marilyn's racy nude photographs at the Stingaree, a nightclub, restaurant and rooftop retreat located in the Gaslamp Quarter.

The "Marilyn At 80: Some Still Like It Hot" grand finale gala took place later in the year at the Grant Hotel downtown San Diego, featuring more limited edition photographs, a presentation of historic newsreels, a VIP showing of the film "Some Like it Hot," and surprise celebrity guests.

The Coronado Historical Association and Museum of History & Art are Located just a short distance from the Hotel del Coronado. CHA presently offers walking tours of the famous hotel. Tours take you inside the grounds on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays sharing the history of the Hotel Del. To celebrate Marilyn's birthday year, tour guides shared little known facts about filming of the movie and Marilyn Monroe on all tours through January 14, 2007.

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