Unpublished photos of Marilyn Monroe surface

cnn. ^ | June 1, 2009

[JoeProBono]

They were taken before Marilyn Monroe became branded as the voluptuous blonde who oozed sex appeal in dozens of Hollywood films. A 24-year-old Marilyn Monroe poses for Life magazine in August 1950. They were taken before rumors of an affair with President John F. Kennedy swirled and her mental breakdowns became public. They were taken before the beautiful actress's mysterious overdose that resulted in her death at the age of 36.

In a collection discovered by Life.com last month, unpublished photographs of Monroe reveal a softer, more innocent 24-year-old budding starlet in a more peaceful time, before her fame peaked. Her flawless face bears a natural look with minimal makeup, unusual for the star, who was often glamorized in photo shoots with lipstick, designer dresses and expensive jewelry. Monday would have been Monroe's 83rd birthday. In one photo, the young Monroe lies in bliss, reading on a park bench, which editors at Life.com believe was shot at Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California. In another, her face is serene as she is perched over a bridge barefoot. The shoot, which dates to 1950, was conducted by Life photographer Ed Clark. It's a side of Monroe that the American public has rarely seen.

[JoeProBono]

[MortMan]

At least they’re not photos of her underneath her surface, like Parky Catie’s colonoscopy!!! ;-P

[brownsfan]

Wasn’t she taken away by UFOs?

I’m just sayin’.

[JoeProBono]

Yup

[brownsfan]

That there is funny, I don’t care who you are.

[JoeProBono]

Me neither

[JoeProBono]

[heartwood]

They were taken before the beautiful actress's mysterious overdose that resulted in her death at the age of 36.

I would hope so.

[Mr. Lucky]

Ummm, good point.

[JoeProBono]

[T Minus Four]

They were taken before the beautiful actress's mysterious overdose that resulted in her death at the age of 36

DUH!

[MortMan]

Are you talking to me?!? ;-P

[bert]

.....Wasn’t she taken away by UFOs?.....

She died of shame. Bobby passed her off to Martin

[JoeProBono]

[opaque soul]

Ha! ya, and I bet the writer never gave the slightest thought to his wording... just like Obama, make it sound as though your saying something deep and meaningful.

[MortMan]

Was your previous post meant to be blank? That’s what I saw, at least here at work.

[JoeProBono]

Nope

[JoeProBono]

[MortMan]

Whatever you’re posting, it’s blocked at work. I’ll check back later, at home.

[sunny48]

I didn’t know they wore shorts that short back then.