The famous photos of Marilyn Monroe’s flying skirt are iconic in Monroe’s legacy. The pictures were shocking to onlookers, and seemed indecent for the time era. Regardless, the photos were wildly popular, and have left a lasting mark in American pop culture history. The 63 year old photos of Monroe’s dress being lifted by the breeze of an underground subway were actually scripted. In the film “The Seven Year Itch”, Monroe is exiting a theatre when the unexpected wind erupts. Instead of covering her legs and being embarrassed, she joyfully exclaims, “Isn’t it delicious?” The photographer who captured the exciting moment was Sam Shaw. He actually met Monroe on the set of the film “Viva Zapata”, where he was the set photographer, and when Monroe was still virtually unknown in the acting world. This encounter flowered into a lifelong friendship as …show more content…
Monroe’s husband, famous baseball star Joe Dimaggio, was infuriated by the pictures, claiming they were too exhibitionist. Monroe and Dimaggio divorced shortly afterwards. To the public, the pictures sold the movie. Their promotion was related to the movie’s success. In the era the images were taken in, they may have seemed scandalous or risque, as you can see Monroe’s undergarments. That is actually what made the pictures so popular. Controversy always draws and intrigues a crowd, and Monroe was known for being contrary to the popular conservative standards of her time. Show this photo to anyone, young or old, and all will be able to name the famous blonde bombshell that is Marilyn Monroe. The flying skirt scene is far more popular than the movie itself for the sole reason of the iconic photos, which is owed to the talent of photographer Sam Shaw. The white dress Monroe wears in the picture was sold for $5.6 million. Not only does the dress and movie scene live on, but the photos hold a timeless immortality that people will be able to recognize for years to