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In advance of the highly anticipated release of Marilyn: The Lost Photographs The Last Interview, Scott Fortner and Elisa Jordan sit down with authors Chris Flannery and Jason Greene for an in depth conversation about one of the most significant Marilyn Monroe projects in decades.

Bringing together Marilyn’s final recorded interview with Richard Meryman and the complete archive of photographs taken by LIFE photographer Allan Grant, this new volume offers an unprecedented look at Marilyn in the final weeks of her life. For the first time, her words and her image are presented together in their entirety. Unfiltered, unretouched, and deeply human.

Recorded just weeks before her passing in 1962, Marilyn Monroe’s final interview stands as one of the most revealing documents of her life. Conducted by Meryman and captured on reel to reel tape, the conversation preserves Marilyn’s words exactly as she intended. What originally appeared in LIFE magazine represented only a fraction of what was said.

Paired with this interview is Allan Grant’s remarkable photographic session, more than 430 images taken inside Marilyn’s Brentwood home, with over 300 never before published. Captured in a single setting, with minimal styling and no heavy retouching, the photographs present Marilyn not as a constructed icon, but as a woman in her own space. Across the sequence, she reveals a full range of emotion through subtle shifts in expression, posture, and presence, demonstrating a mastery of image that is both instinctive and deliberate.

Together, the interview and photographs form a powerful time capsule. Marilyn speaks candidly about fame, identity, creativity, and the pressures placed upon her, topics that remain strikingly relevant today. She challenges the public perception of her as a persona, revealing instead a woman of intelligence, humor, and emotional depth. Her reflections on art and performance underscore her commitment to her craft, while her observations on life and human connection reveal a perspective that is both grounded and insightful.

Flannery and Greene share the journey behind the project, from their first meeting with Allan Grant’s widow, Karen Grant, to the discovery, preservation, and restoration of the original audio recordings. They discuss the responsibility of serving as stewards of this material, and the importance of presenting Marilyn as she intended to be seen and heard.

The book itself reflects that philosophy. Marilyn’s words are organized by theme, offering a clearer understanding of the ideas she explored, while the photographs are presented as they were captured, preserving the authenticity of the moment. The result is not simply a collection of images or an interview transcript, but a cohesive and deeply personal portrait of Marilyn Monroe at a pivotal moment in her life.

This episode offers a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of a project already being recognized as one of the most important contributions to Marilyn scholarship in decades. Before the book’s release, hear directly from the authors as they share how these materials were brought together, and why, more than sixty years later, Marilyn’s voice continues to resonate with such clarity, power, and relevance.

ATM Podcast: @allthingsmarilynpodcast
Scott @marilynmonroecollection
Elisa @la_woman_tours

Credits
Artwork by @marilynmexico
Soundtrack by @silver_technicolor

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In this episode of All Things Marilyn, Scott Fortner and Elisa Jordan welcome acclaimed author and photography historian David Wills for a thoughtful and deeply engaging conversation about Marilyn Monroe’s enduring legacy through the lens of photography.

Best known to Marilyn fans for his celebrated books Marilyn in the Flash and Metamorphosis, David shares the personal story behind his lifelong fascination with books, classic Hollywood, and Marilyn herself. From childhood memories of discovering old movies in Australia to working with original photographic transparencies decades later, his journey reflects a passion for preserving visual history and understanding the artistry behind iconic images.

Together, Scott, Elisa, and David explore Marilyn’s instinctive genius in front of the camera, her collaboration with photographers, and how her evolving photographic image shaped public perception. David also offers insight into his upcoming book Marilyn Monroe: Body and Soul, created as a monumental tribute for her 100th birthday year.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• How David Wills first became fascinated with Marilyn Monroe and classic Hollywood
• Why Marilyn’s photographic presence remains unmatched in celebrity culture
• The artistic process of restoring vintage transparencies and negatives
• What sets Marilyn apart from other legendary screen stars in portrait photography
• The inspiration and vision behind David’s new book Marilyn Monroe: Body and Soul
• Why Marilyn’s legacy still resonates worldwide nearly 100 years after her birth

Throughout the discussion, listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for Marilyn’s intelligence, determination, and creative control over her image, qualities that continue to inspire generations of admirers today.

About Our Guest

David Wills is an internationally recognized author and photography specialist known for his visually rich books on film, fashion, architecture, and cultural icons. His Marilyn Monroe titles, including Marilyn in the Flash and Metamorphosis, are widely regarded by collectors and fans as essential visual studies of her image and transformation.

With more than two decades of experience working with original negatives and transparencies, David is dedicated to preserving photographic history and presenting classic imagery with exceptional fidelity. His latest project, Marilyn Monroe: Body and Soul, is a large format tribute volume celebrating Marilyn’s artistry, intelligence, and enduring impact.

About Marilyn Monroe: Body and Soul

AUTHOR: David Wills
FORMAT: Hardcover with dust jacket
DIMENSIONS: 14 x 18 inches

PAGES: 288

MARILYN MONROE: BODY AND SOUL is a celebration and an appreciation of Marilyn—the human being, the woman, the actress, and the icon.

ATM Podcast: @allthingsmarilynpodcast
Scott @marilynmonroecollection
Elisa @la_woman_tours

Credits
Artwork by @marilynmexico
Soundtrack by @silver_technicolor

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In this first episode of 2026, All Things Marilyn returns to mark a historic milestone: the forthcoming 100th birthday of Marilyn Monroe. Hosts Scott Fortner, historian, collector, and founder of The Marilyn Monroe Collection, and Elisa Jordan, author, tour founder, and Marilyn Monroe historian, reunite to explore the global celebrations, exhibitions, books, and conversations shaping Marilyn’s centennial year.

After a brief hiatus, Scott and Elisa return with renewed focus, setting the stage for one of the most significant cultural anniversaries of the 21st century.

This episode centers on Marilyn Monroe’s worldwide centennial recognition, including major museum exhibitions in Los Angeles, London, and Paris. Scott shares details about contributing personal artifacts from his collection to all three exhibitions, offering rare insight into how institutions curate and present Marilyn’s private life and public legacy for an international audience.

The conversation also turns to Los Angeles, Marilyn’s hometown, where planning for a series of centennial events is underway. Elisa discusses the return of her Marilyn Monroe sites tour, alongside panel discussions, screenings, and fan gatherings timed around Marilyn’s birthday and the opening of major museum exhibitions in Los Angeles, Londoon, and Paris.

A significant portion of the episode is devoted to the many books being released in honor of Marilyn’s 100th birthday. Scott and Elisa discuss new and recent publications, including:

• The Marilyn Monroe Century by Joshua John Miller, grandson of photographer Bruno Bernard
• A forthcoming centennial book by David Wills, following his acclaimed titles Metamorphosis and Marilyn in the Flash
• Dear Marilyn: The Unseen Letters and Photographs, from the Shaw family archives
• Marilyn Monroe 100, the estate’s official centenary publication
• Marilyn Monroe: The Last Photographs, The Lost Interview, produced by Jason Green and Chris Flannery, featuring never-before-published photographs and Marilyn’s final interview transcript

Looking ahead, the episode previews an exceptional lineup of upcoming All Things Marilyn podcast guests for 2026, including:

• Jason Green and Chris Flannery, discussing archival stewardship, unpublished materials, and honoring Marilyn’s final photo session and interview
• David Wills, on creating a centennial book that blends rare imagery with new written scholarship
• Dawn McGovern, author of Murder Orthodoxies, offering an evidence-based examination of Marilyn Monroe’s death
• James Haspiel, who personally knew Marilyn Monroe in New York and documented their time together through photographs and film

Thoughtful, historically grounded, and deeply personal, this episode establishes the tone for a year-long exploration of Marilyn Monroe’s legacy, one rooted in evidence, archival responsibility, and respect for the woman behind the icon.

Follow All Things Marilyn on Instagram: @allthin

ATM Podcast: @allthingsmarilynpodcast
Scott @marilynmonroecollection
Elisa @la_woman_tours

Credits
Artwork by @marilynmexico
Soundtrack by @silver_technicolor