The Mystery Surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s Famous White Dress
Marilyn Monroe's iconic film The Seven Year Itch featured a memorable moment that has become a cultural milestone. The white dress she wore in this film, which she infamous for the scene where she stands over a subway grate as a breeze blows up the gown, is a significant piece of film history. This article delves into the history and current whereabouts of this beloved dress, tracing its journey from the Hollywood stage to its most recent sale and the new owner.
From Stage to Stage: Marilyn Monroe’s White Dress
Marilyn Monroe wore several famous dresses throughout her career. However, the white dress from The Seven Year Itch stands out as the most iconic. The scene where she stands over the subway grate and the dress rises up as the wind blows became one of the most memorable and reproduced moments in cinema history. This dress was purchased by actress Debbie Reynolds, and remained in her collection for several decades before being sold at auction.
Auction and Sale: The Dress’s Journey Continues
Just before her death, Debbie Reynolds auctioned off her collection, which included the white dress from The Seven Year Itch. In 2011, the dress was sold at the Warnock Auction and purchased by an unknown buyer for $4.8 million. This significant event marked the end of a long period where the dress was part of a private collection and pushed it even further into the limelight as a global icon of Hollywood history.
New Owner and Home: Putting the Dress in a Small Canadian Town
The latest twist in the story of Marilyn Monroe's white dress is its new owner, billionaire Jimmy Pattison. Pattison, the owner of several companies, including Pattison Group, purchased the dress for $6.3 million. However, rather than keeping it in a major city, Pattison chose to house it in a small town in Saskatchewan, Canada. This decision has sparked curiosity and debate among fans of both Marilyn Monroe and Canadian history.
Jimmy Pattison's affinity for the Canadian prairies may be a factor in his choice. Saskatchewan, with its rich history and cultural significance, could offer a fitting new home for such a celebrated piece of history. The choice to display the dress in a small town could also serve as a testament to debutantes in the community, preserving the memory of Marilyn Monroe's influential presence in both Hollywood and Canadian culture.
Conclusion
The journey of Marilyn Monroe's white dress from the stage to its current home in a small Canadian town is a testament to the enduring legacy of this iconic film and the star who made it famous. From the movies to private collections and now to a new exhibition space, the dress remains a significant piece of cinematic history, offering endless fascination to fans and historians alike.
Keywords: Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch, Warnock Auction