Marilyn Monroe Unveiled: The Untold Story Behind 'The Shot Seen 'Round the World'

The Scandalous Story Behind Marilyn Monroe's Iconic "Skirt Blowing" Photo

In 1955, a photograph of Hollywood's most beloved starlet, Marilyn Monroe, standing over a New York City subway grate in a billowing white dress sparked a frenzy that would be remembered for generations to come. The image, which has become one of the most iconic photos of all time, was captured by photographer Sam Shaw, but behind its creation lies a tale of intrigue, power struggles, and betrayal.

Shaw's daughters, Meta and Edie, have now set the record straight in their new book "Dear Marilyn: The Unseen Letters and Photographs," which delves into the personal correspondence between Shaw and Monroe, private journals, and previously unreleased photographs. This treasure trove of archival material sheds light on Shaw's remarkable career, from his early days as a magazine photographer to his rise as the go-to man for on-set stills in Hollywood.

The "Skirt Blowing" photo was first conceived in 1941, over a decade before it became synonymous with Monroe's on-screen presence. During a photoshoot for Friday Magazine, Shaw instructed two models to stand over a subway grate in Coney Island, New York. The updraft sent their skirts flying, and the resulting image became an instant hit, selling out its entire print run.

Shaw knew he had stumbled upon something special and envisioned recreating the image on a bigger scale when the opportunity arose. That chance came when Shaw was tasked with working on the film adaptation of Billy Wilder and George Axelrod's screenplay for "The Seven Year Itch." The movie, about a man tempted to betray his wife, featured Monroe and Tom Ewell as its leads.

As production manager, Shaw saw an opportunity to revisit the subway grate photo and incorporate it into the film's advertising campaign. He approached producer Charles Feldman with his idea, warning that it would require extra time and resources. The team would need to recreate the iconic image using a wind machine under the makeshift grating grill to simulate a passing subway train.

The resulting scene, which was shot on 51st Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, drew thousands of onlookers who gathered to watch Monroe and Ewell perform their roles. Shaw's photo of the moment, with Monroe's dress blowing upward as if propelled by an invisible force, became an instant sensation.

However, behind the glamour and excitement lies a sordid tale of studio politics and power struggles. Shaw claimed that 20th Century Fox's vice president of advertising, Charles Einfeld, attempted to take credit for his work, including the "Skirt Blowing" photo. This was not an isolated incident; Einfeld allegedly tried to claim ownership of other photos taken by Shaw, such as those published in LIFE magazine and Harper's Bazaar.

The extent of Einfeld's deceit is staggering. He even went so far as to try to have Shaw removed from the credits for one of Monroe's most iconic photo shoots. Shaw wrote about these events with a mix of frustration and sadness, describing how he had trusted his colleagues at the studio and was blindsided by their treachery.

"Dear Marilyn," published by ACC Art Books, offers an intimate glimpse into the world of 1950s Hollywood, where stars were worshipped, and studios wielded immense power. The book includes a self-portrait given to Shaw by Monroe, as well as candid images of the actress at her home in New York and on the beach in Amagansett.

As we reflect on Marilyn Monroe's tragic death at just 36 years old, it is clear that the question of "Who was the real Marilyn?" continues to fascinate us. While many have attempted to answer this query through unauthorized biographies and sensationalized films, none have captured her essence quite like Shaw's camera.

In the words of Irving Hoffman, a Hollywood Reporter columnist, Monroe's iconic photo has become synonymous with the term "the shot seen 'round the world." And it is here that we find ourselves transported back to a bygone era, where glamour and excess reigned supreme, and the line between art and commerce was blissfully blurred.

Sources:

• Shaw, Sam. (2023). Dear Marilyn: The Unseen Letters and Photographs. ACC Art Books.
• Hoffman, Irving. (1955). "The Shot Seen 'Round the World." Hollywood Reporter.