Remembering a Valley Icon...Marilyn Monroe

Photo: David Conover

On what would have been her 85th birthday, The Valley Film Festival would like to take a moment to remember Marilyn Monroe. Born June 1, 1926, Norma Jeane Baker is among The Valley's most famous residents, if not THE most famous, and VFF is thrilled that this cinematic legend called The Valley home sweet home

There are countless books and blogs dedicated to the minutiae that is Marilyn, so we thought we'd highlight just a few of her (818) stomping grounds.

Before graduating from Van Nuys High School, Marilyn attended Lankershim Elementary School...right around the corner from our old haunts, El Portal Theatre. 

Home addresses included:

6707 Odessa Avenue, Van Nuys, 91406 (cross streets: Vanowen and Hayvenhurst)

4524 Vista Del Monte St., Sherman Oaks, 91403 (cross streets: Moorpark and Hortense)

131 South Avon St., Burbank, 91505 (cross streets: Riverside and Warner Blvd.)

And, while her first husband, Jimmy was in the South Pacific during WWII, Norma Jeane rolled up her sleeves and worked on the Radio Plane munitions assembly line in Burbank (adjacent to Bob Hope Airport).  While there, she was photographed for Yank magazine and the rest is history.

If you want to remember Marilyn, we suggest you visit Netflix and stream Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, costarring valley goddess and Van Nuys High School grad, Jane Russell.