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OFFICIAL BLOG OF NIAGARA FALLS TOURISM |
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MARILYN MONROE AND THE MAKING OF NIAGARA
By George Bailey
2009-05-18 21:40:55
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For two sun-filled weeks in June of 1952, Niagara Falls, Canada took “second billing” when movie icon Marilyn Monroe visited to make the movie “Niagara.” I was only eight at the time but I can remember my father, who was first mate on the Maid of the Mist, telling me he “starred” with Marilyn in the movie. He is actually in the film, about a click of the finger. He’s the handsome guy wearing the uniform on the gang plank to the Maid. Anyway, when the technicolour (a rarity at the time) movie was released in January of 1953, it put Niagara Falls on the map for many years and helped re-establish it as the "Honeymoon Capital of the World".
I wrote a book, “Marilyn Monroe and the Making of Niagara,” several years ago on the making of this movie, and even today I still get requests for copies of this book. It is no longer in print and I see copies on e-Bay go for $125.00! I originally sold it for $10.00. I have two copies myself.
Here’s a copy of a photo from my book.
Comments
Josie
Hi there, I'm getting ready to head on up to the falls. This has been a dream of mine to come and finally we're heading up there but I have a few questions. I've been reading all sorts of things and advertisements and just don't know which way to go. We were all set to go a couple of years ago but after making my arrangements for November I found out that the Maid of the Mist didn't run at that time. So we cancelled. So now we have an opportunity to go but I don't know whether it is better to pay a really high price for a hotel room with a view of the falls or get a moderately priced hotel and just walk over. Do I buy the Gorge pass and hope the shuttle passes by our hotel or what? My 78 year old mother is coming with us and she is limited with her walking ability. I'm renting a car but do the attractions have close parking and do they charge to park in their lots. We're only going to be there for one day, a Saturday. So I plan to make the most of it. I'd like to hear from someone local who can give me some insight to what I should do. I'd be happy to help in return if you ever come on down to New Orleans.
George
Josie, The general rule of thumb is that the further you go away from the falls the least expensive the rooms are. Lundy's Lane( about eight miles from the falls) has several motels. The Niagara Falls schuttle operates twice an hour along Lundy's Lane and takes you to the falls and return. The all day pass is $6.00. I think you would be best to leave your car at your motel and use this schuttle. The Niagara Parks Commission also operate People Mover buses along the Niagara River from the Falls to Queenston Heights Park and return.The all day fee for this system is $7.50 all day until 8 pm. I hope this helps.
Amy Wagner | Camping
Now thats a story to tell to your kids and theirs, it must have been wonderful to know that your father actually met Marilyn Monroe, now thats a piece of history
Liz
Ever think of reprinting the book? I think that it would sell really well!!!
George
Liz, I have thought about it BUT I have too many other things in my life now that I enjoy doing.Not enough time to do them all.
JO
Is this print available for purchase and if so, where?
George
JO, The print can be purchased from Aztec Frames at mail@aztecframes.com. or 905-371-1515, in Niagara Falls, Ontario.Good luck.
Vickie
Hi George, That's one of my favoite movies ever. The next time I watch it I'll look for your Dad. I've always wondered if the hotel in the movie that had the wonderful view is still around? If not, then what's there now? And other bits of trivia that you can share would be great. Thanks, Vickie Nashville, Tennessee
George
Vickie, Thanks for reading my blog. The motel and cabins in the movie were simply a `set` constructed in front of the falls where there was one time a look-out called`Rambler's Rest`. The `set` was removed and bought by the construction company,Jolly Construction, that had built it for $26,000. Rambler's Rest was removed many years ago as an unsafe building. There is a similar lookout building still remaining opposite the American Falls in Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls, Canada. Here's a few more pieces of trevia about Marilyn and Niagara. -She was in Niagara for 13 of the hottest days of June,1952(she arrived June 5) where temperatures reached 100 degrees most of the time she was filming. -She had `secret` rendevous with her then boyfriend, Joe Dimaggio that it seems everyone knew about.
R Morgan
I read that the rainbow cabins did exist in the 50's. They were torn down because they were not kept up and they wanted to put a road through the area which is still there. So what's the true story? From what I understand you could still visit the site [where the Rainbow Cabins once stood] off the side of the road.
George
Dear R. The Cabins wern't up long enough for them to deteriorate.They were taken down and purchased by the contractor that built them for the set. There was no road built where the cabin sat. It was located to the side of the walkway across from the American Falls that still exists today in Queen Victoria Park. Hope this helps.
George
Thankyou so much for the info on the Marilyn Niagara Rainbow Cabins. I have been planning to make a trip to Niagara Falls in the near future. One of my priorities is to find the the site where Marilyn dwelled during the filming of Nigara so long ago. So if I were to try to locate the site what would I find there? Is the site easy to locate? Thanks, Cheers.
George
The site is easy to locate.There is currently a stone outlook in the park near the foot of Murray Hill.The Rainbow Cabin set was located about 100 yards to the left of this outlook as you look at the falls.Basically, position yourself opposite the American Falls and that's where the set was.
david mead
I love this film....I've always been pleasantly haunted by the tune played by the bell tower, yet as famous as it is to me, the bell tower gets scant mentions anywhere......strange
Jenny
Does the bell tower still play the song from the movie? Can you request it? Where is Rambler's Rest? Is the new building near the site of th old building? Thank you for your help.
George
Jenny, I checked with the folks at the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission who are responsible for the Rainbow Tower Carillon performances. The Carillon is played between noon and 1pm,3 and 4pm, and 6 and 7pm daily.They do not accept request for certain songs. Rambler's Rest Lookout is located in Queen Victoria Park opposite the American Falls.it's not far from the old outlook that was removed.
Bob
Mr. George Bailey, I want the Marilyn Monroe book... Where can I get a copy? Bob
George
Bob, sorry, I only have a few copies for myself. You might be able to get a copy on E-bay. Good Luck.
Sasha
Hi there I'm a huge Marilyn fan and I'm going to the falls in July just wondering do you know where she stayed while there???
George
sasha, She stayed in Room 801 at the general Brock Hotel opposite the American Falls on the canadian side of the border. The hotel is still here but re-named the Crown Plaza . Room 801 ias also still there.
Anonymous
Has anyone ever produced a commercial recording of the carillon? What is the name of the selection played in `NIAGRA?` THANKS, Jerry PS- That film is one of my all time favorites
George
Jerry, I don't know of such a recording. I'll pass the suggestion on to the folks at ther Niagara Falls Bridge Commission who own and operate the carillon.
jerry
does anyone know the name of the music which featured so prominently in `NIAGRA?`
George Bailey
Jerry also wants to know the name ogf the music that is featured prominently in the movie Niagara, Does anyone know. Jerry,please note the correct spelling of Niagara.
R Morgan
George,Thanks for the Room 801 Crown Plaza scoop. That's awesome info. I'm a Marilyn nut. That's the stuff I'm searching for all the time. Here's some more info on the filming of Niagara. It includes info about the haunting song `Kiss` that Jerry was asking about. Notes According to a February 1, 1952 LAT news item, James Mason was originally set to star in this film. A March 19, 1952 HR news item announced that Anne Baxter would be co-starring with Joseph Cotten in Niagara (as `Polly Cutler`), and modern sources assert that Baxter withdrew from the project after Marilyn Monroe was cast in the film and Monroe's part was rewritten and enlarged. Niagara marked Monroe's first appearance in a Technicolor film. In February 1953, Var and LA Mirror reported that various women's groups were protesting Monroe's `frank characterization` in the film, although Twentieth Century-Fox reported that she was receiving `an average of 12,400 fan letters a month` and that the small amount of negative publicity surrounding the film had not hurt her career. In April 1953, the Niagara Falls representative to the Ontario legislature protested that the film `did the honeymoon capital nothing but harm,` according an LAHE article. The representative stated, `instead of a movie to show our school children, they give us murder and suicide and seamy lives.` According to a modern source, the film cost approximately $1,250,000 to produce and grossed more than $6,000,000. Music includes `Kiss,` music by Lionel Newman, lyrics by Haven Gillespie. Contemporary sources note that portions of the picture were shot on location on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. According to a July 1952 HR news item, The Starlighters were to be the vocal group heard on the record of `Kiss,` but their participation in the completed picture has not been confirmed. There you go. I hope you enjoy this bit of Niagara History. Cheers, R Morgan
Jerry
Thanks for the info about the musical selection, `kiss,`, but i was interested in knowing the name of the selection played on the carillon as Ms. Monroe lay in the hospital under sedation. Thanks
R Morgan
Jerry, The song being played on the carillon is `Kiss`. That song was made exclusively for the film. If you follow the film Loomis purposely drops the request in the slot because he knows Rose [his wife] is in the Hospital recovering and he does it to be devious. Because he knows that that song was Rose and her lovers song. That's why he came storming out of the cabin and broke the record into pieces. Don't you have the DVD? It's the same song. R Morgan
jerry
Thanks for the reply. I do have the DVD and have watched. wouldn't be the first time I heard a transcription (of instruments) and thought it a completely different piece. thanks again for setting me straight.
R Morgan
George, Here's another one I'm wondering about. In the film Niagara [1952], when night fell, they turned colored lights on to illuminate the falls. Do they still turn on the colored lights, when night falls, these days? Thanks, R Morgan
George Bailey
They sure do. 365 days of the year .The lights go on when it gets dark and depending on the time of the year between 11 and midnight.
Daniel
Hello To 2012, it will be 60 th birthday from film Niagara and the 50 th birthday of died of Marilyn. Park Canada should make a monument in the Queen garden in homage to Marilyn Monroe which made known the Niagara Falls in 1962.Is it a good idea?
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Photos by George Bailey...
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