Smithsonian Channel Explores the Life of an Icon in MARILYN MONROE FOR SALE

Smithsonian Channel is set to revisit the life of one of the silver screen's most iconic legends by way of her most personal possessions. At Julien's Auctions in Los Angeles, more than 1,000 lots sold for a total of over $11 million at a show-stopping auction of Marilyn Monroe belongings. Telling the story of this definitive Hollywood movie star and sex symbol via some of her most recognizable costumes, letters and clothes, the new documentary MARILYN MONROE FOR SALE premieres Sunday, December 23 at 9 PM ET/PT on Smithsonian Channel.

Monroe, one of the most beloved Tinseltown legends of all time, was acclaimed for her sex bomb façade, but underneath lay a clever, imaginative self-made woman. She perfected a "dumb blonde" persona and used it to blaze a trail to the top of an industry that treated most actresses as set dressing. With a well-noted wit and ferocious ambition, she survived sex scandals, married one of the great American sports stars, as well as a prolific playwright and, in an era of staunch morality, refused to be shamed. MARILYN MONROE FOR SALE charts her life while following highlights of the auction that included the infamous dress she wore while serenading President Kennedy. Featuring interviews with biographers, historians and even costume designer Bob Mackie, who worked alongside her, the documentary presents the screen goddess through real items that show her as she really was - an intelligent, resourceful and determined woman who rose to the top of her field and did so on her own terms.

MARILYN MONROE FOR SALE is produced by Oxford Film and Television for Channel 4. Nicolas Kent and Susan Jones are executive producers for Oxford Films. Executive producers for Smithsonian Channel are Joy Galane and David Royle.

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