Marilyn. Kids who weren't even born yet when she died recognize her image.Marilyn. Sex goddess. Her babykins voice, cotton candy hair, tremulous lips and hip-swinging, wobbly walk are all still recognized as attributes of a sexy woman.
Marilyn. Ultimate tabloid queen. Every now and again she can still reclaim the front cover, even more than 40 years after her death. How did she die? Did the Kennedys kill her? Did she curse Anna Nicole from The Great Beyond?
Marilyn. Feminist icon and cautionary tale. Look closely, girls. This is what happens to you if you sublimate your own character and live your life to please men. You'll end up dead at 36 and by your hand, just like her.
Marilyn. Extraordinary comedienne. Her line readings were unique and very, very funny. Only Marilyn could ring a laugh out of the line, "Story of my life. I always get the fuzzy end of the lollipop."
Marilyn. Charismatic screen presence. Even in bad movies (Prince and the Showgirl, for example) you simply cannot take your eyes off of her.
I'm remembering her today because of all the Anna Nicole hubbub. The late Ms. Smith may have idolized Marilyn, but she couldn't/can't/won't hold a candle to her. Marilyn had a real, genuine, unique talent. Even in her short career she managed to compile an impressive list of credits, films that are shown on TV and rented today. Compare that to, "Trimspa, Baby!"
Amazon lists more than 13,000 titles devoted to Marilyn. I'll leave it to serious authors to decide what her enduring impact means. I just wish to take a moment to acknowledge it.