Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic movie scenes

This week marks the 50th Anniversary of the death of screen legend Marilyn Monroe and we’ve taken the opportunity to celebrate her life with a few of her most iconic movie scenes.

Marilyn Monroe made quite an impression when she started her Hollywood career in the late 1940s, but her first movie role didn’t even see her grace the big screen. She played the voice of a telephone operator in 1947’s ‘The Shocking Miss Pilgrim’.

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That uncredited role was her first of over 30 films in just 15 years which saw her quick ascent to becoming a global icon, with these classic scenes playing a vital part of her success.

Seven Year Itch – Subway breeze

Possibly the most iconic scene in cinema history, this famous clip has become a global phenomenon.  The image of the late actress with THAT white dress billowing in the subway breeze has been plastered on memorabilia since the film’s release in 1955. There was even a giant statue of this movie moment.

Watch the Subway breeze scene

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

1953’s ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ saw Marilyn’s brilliant and much-loved rendition of ‘Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend’. In addition to the song, the pink dress she wore in this number influenced popular culture having later been copied by a host of celebrities including Madonna, Geri Halliwell, Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, Anna Nicole Smith, Christina Aguilera, and.. errr… James Franco.

Seven Year Itch – Chopsticks

Another iconic musical scene comes in the shape of Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell playing Chopsticks in Billy Wilder’s ‘Seven Year Itch’. The pair team up on the piano to play the famous tune with Ewell’s character getting a little too excited. Well, who could blame him?

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Some Like It Hot – Some Like It Hot

This glorious scene between Monroe and Tony Curtis in 1959’s ‘Some Like It Hot’ features the blonde bombshell chatting to the owner of Shell Oil on a beach. It’s a great scene that sees Curtis muttering the famous line “well I guess some like it hot”.

How To Marry A Millionaire – Awful Clever With A Quarter

This funny clip from ‘How To Marry A Millionaire’ sees Monroe and Lauren Bacall plotting to marry a wealthy man for his money. Monroe’s character calls up a third conspirator who only has a quarter to her name. Bacall isn’t too impressed with her contribution, but Monroe quips, “maybe, but she’s awful clever with a quarter”.

Clips courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

The 'Forever Marilyn' Blu-ray Collection is in shops now. Buy a copy here.

What are your favourite Marilyn Monroe moments? Let us know below…