The Contact Sheet

Anyone who adores photography or Marilyn Monroe.

Fantastic photos! Very subjective story of the relationship of Andre and MM. It is hard to tell if he embellished some of the facts of his books. I found it an enjoyable coffee book that is well worth it for the photos. A must have for MM fans!

I picked this book up today and was intrigued by the direct casual photos of photos that I was not used to of Marilyn Monroe. Most photos that we see of Marilyn are glamorized by Hollywood. This book tells a beautiful memoir between Marilyn and Andre. The photos in this book are high quality and even in include about 5-6 color prints in the middle of the book. Highly recommended.

Even for non-Marilynphiles, this is a magic photographic trip of her metamorphosis from Norma Jeane to Marilyn - would have liked to have more of the pictures in 8 x 10 format, and information regarding the obviously enhanced ones with clouds, stars, etc. (why were they done, how were they done, when were they done) If you have a Marilyn Monroe library, this is a must. If you don't, it's a marvelous Sunday afternoon read and view.

This book is simply fantastic. Andre de Dienes captured Marilyn Monroe's beauty when she was still Norma Jeane, and nobody ever captured her in her truer state. These photographs (which of course are accompanied by a text of Andre de Dienes' memoirs--or is it the other way around?)-- they are absolutely the most stunning, beautiful images ever taken of the most photogenic GODDESS that the world-at-large has ever known. One of the most incredible ones is frustratingly not blown up to regular size, but merely shown from his proof sheets (pages 130 and 206 feature the image(s) I am referring to). The cover shot has long been my favorite Marilyn photo, and I now see that a few others that particuarly intoxicated me for many years are all here! Andre de Dienes was simply the best photographer Marilyn ever had; a photographic genius. But he was a lot more than that; a friend, a lover (who, like many of those who fell in love with Marilyn first-hand, never stopped loving her). The stories are riveting; incredible at times, even. And the aforementioned photographs are simply breathtaking. I particuarly love all the shots from Tobey Beach; she's never so radiant with her beauty so lush, warm and comforting. Pages 27 and 43 feature the Norma Jeane I TOO prefer to the more common image(s) of Marilyn Monroe, the "glamorous" Hollywood take on her beauty, which rings less natural in comparison to these wonderful shots. The photo on page 119 is one to die for, her tenderness so entrancing (and that's from the " The End of Everything" session!) The bubble bath photos from '52 are also unbelievable. The photos perfectly accompany the story, which add to them tremendously; seeing Marilyn eating a sundae -- as simple as that -- is an image that is heartwarming and beautiful in context, an absolute joy. Thi is neither just a memoir (albeit however fascinating it IS); nor a mere photobook (although when referring to Marilyn Monroe's beauty AND a genius photographer like de Dienes, "mere" doesn't fit either!). It's SOMETHING ELSE! I am very glad that Steve Crist put this together; he did indeed stumble upon treasure. And Mr. de Dienes' widow, without whom this could not, would not exist? Ms. Shirley T. Ellis de Dienes' acknowledgements in the back of the book were enough to bring me to tears. This book is an absolute must for any Marilyn Monroe fan.