Explore Marilyn Monroe’s Story Through an Exhibition of Her Own Possessions

Marilyn & Me

In the early 1990s, I lived on Tooley Street, which stretches from London Bridge to Tower Bridge and beyond. At that time, it was a pretty shady area, it’s only redeeming qualities being Hays Galleria, which is still there, and a super Chinese restaurant called The Great Wall, which isn’t.

Aside from these, the only reason to step outside the cold and dreary London Bridge Station was to visit The London Dungeon which was housed within the damp, dark railway arches beneath the station. The Dungeon moved in 2013, relocating to the South Bank, but its spot under the arches has been filled by a raft of pretty upmarket shops and other attractions, one of which I had the pleasure of visiting recently.

Arches, London Bridge, Exhibition Space

London Bridge is easily reached from Sussex.  One train all the way to London Bridge station – now very much improved.  Heading down the steps from the station to Tooley Street and turning right toward Tower Bridge, will lead you to Bermondsey Street on your right, and Arches, London Bridge.  Here, you’ll find the old, damp railway arches transformed into a terrific, red brick open space, fully wheelchair accessible, that showcases various exhibitions throughout the year.

Being something of a Marilyn Monroe fan, I simply had to attend what is the UK Premiere of Marilyn, The Exhibition.  I wasn’t disappointed.

Personal Audio commentary

On entering, I was provided with an audio commentary device that I could use to call up information as I progressed through the exhibition.  This was very informative and very well done.

Her Favourite Everyday Wear

Behind glass set into the arches were mannequins wearing some of Marilyn’s most recognisable outfits, all with photos of her wearing them, and informative labels providing fascinating context.  Some were replicas but many were the actual pieces.   The most fascinating was an identical replica of the Happy Birthday Mr President dress.  I’m not surprised the original wasn’t there.  It was valued at almost $5m in 2016.  Imagine the cost of insuring that one item!

Replica of THAT Dress

Actually, the insurance costs must have been pretty high even without that as there were many original Marilyn items including several pairs of shoes, the satin and leather wrinkled from the wearing.

Marilyn’s White Satin Shoes

These items come from a private collection that was locked away in storage for over 40 years so this is a rare opportunity to see such a large collection in one place.  My favourite pieces were her make-up, hair brush, and hair curlers surely still containing traces of the iconic blonde locks.  I wonder if we could harvest the DNA and clone a new Marilyn from it… one day.

Marilyn’s Make-up & False Eyelashes

 

Marilyn’s Hair Curlers & Conditioner

Aside from her personal possessions, there were actual scripts from her films, most notably Some Like It Hot.

Script & Artefacts from Some Like It Hot

The walls were adorned with many photographs I’d never seen before and in glass display cases were newspapers from the time with headlines about Marilyn’s filming activities, the ups and downs of her famous marriages and her sad demise.

A Sad 1962 Headline

There were even sporting goods and an electric razor that had belonged to Joe Dimaggio, a love note from Arthur Miller and Frank Sinatra’s hat!

Joe Dimaggio’s Possessions

 

Arthur Miller’s Love Note to Marilyn

 

Frank Sinatra’s Hat

Finally, one could sit in an auditorium space and watch short documentary films spliced with footage of Marilyn, much of which was also new to me.

Marilyn’s Invitation to the Royal Variety Performance

The exhibition prior to this one was of Elvis and many more will follow in this wonderful space that’s the perfect setting with plenty of space to browse.

I recommend allowing around 90 minutes for your visit plus extra time to browse the lovely merchandise in the shop and enjoy a cuppa in the café before you leave.

A Great Selection of Souvenir Merchandise Available in the Shop

Tickets for the Marilyn Exhibition are currently available through to the end of February, 2025.  We shall see whether it continues beyond this date but don’t chance it.

Arches London Bridge, 8 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 2ER

https://marilynlondonbridge.co.uk

Opening hours are:

Monday :  Noon – 6pm
Tuesday to Friday & Sunday:  10am – 6pm
Saturday:  10am -8pm

Author

  • Maria Bligh is a journalist, published author, professional speaker, singer and artist now settled in Sussex, UK, having previously travelled extensively throughout the UK and overseas, including a period living in Geneva. Married to a successful musician and with a background that encompasses working in the music industry, finance, sales and presentations training, she maintains a diverse existence. Her interests encompass travel, nature, animals and the arts: music, theatre, painting, writing and philosophy. Maria now writes for online and print magazines. Having once maintained a regular full page in “A Place In The Sun” magazine, travel is an obvious interest, but her articles also cover a wide variety of subjects. She bills herself as “an observer of the human condition and all that sail in her.” Maria has frequently appeared on radio & TV as well as in print. Her humorous style has seen her travel the world addressing audiences throughout Europe, Asia and Australasia and as a cruise-ship speaker with P&O and Fred Olsen.

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