Taking Sides: Judy Garland vs Marilyn Monroe

(i don't think 46-yo end-of-the-road Judy was a starlet tho... these suffering-female-star bio-mellers have been around since at least the '30s)

For those who think that Marilyn Monroe couldn't act, just realize that she created the "Marilyn Monroe" persona, which seem to have become one of the most enduring characters ever to come out of Hollywood. It's not a deep or nuanced character, but it is primal, something more than just a sexpot, and it belongs to her above anyone else.

Garland, otoh, was a far more impressive and versatile talent and she would win in a walk in the 'who'd you want to share a beer with' voting.

And when you see MM before she created that persona, eg Clash by Night, she's still good.

Monroe was at least as good before taking acting lessons as after.

Very funny and natural in Monkey Business for example.

Haven't seen any of the MM-related films the past few years (two or three?), but Blonde caught my interest in part because the director did that acclaimed Jesse James film (never saw it) and a couple of Mindhunter episodes. Turned out to be the most excruciating time--almost three fucking hours, which I didn't know going in--I've spent in a theatre since that last M. Night Shyamalan film. That one was just numbingly bad; Blonde is hateful.

Listen to Judy: The Complete Decca Masters (plus) and my head is kind of exploding, since it is totally swinging.

Not according to Will Friedwald though.