Museum of Television

Museum of Television

What a fascinating website to learn all about the history of television.  Anything related to television can be found on here.  The exhibit I explored was about the ever-famous Marilyn Monroe.  There are two lines on the opening of this exhibit that I found very important.  "The movies made her a star. Television made her a legend."  This is a strong but true statement.  Growing up as Norma Jean Baker, she never had the stardom.  As Marilyn Monroe gained stardom, she become an idol and symbol for people.  Her audiences looked up to her and wanted to be her.  She is a representation of the shift from film to television.

Entering the film industry in 1948 and then television in 1949, no one noticed who she was.  When she began doing more projects and commercials, her studio, Fox, realized that her talent should not just be wasted on the big screen.  However, it surprised me to learn that her fame was not reached to its fullest potential until her death.  Her fame came from the replays of her films and shows on television.  Television allowed Monroe to be appreciated as an actress because people could watch her whenever they wanted in their homes.  People now know who the real Marilyn Monroe is.  The first broadcast of one of her movies, How to Marry a Millionaire aired on television in 1961.  This changed television forever.  The incredibly high ratings received for her movie made a statement of how special she was.  Through television, Monroe has become a status symbol.