Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis: A Comprehensive Photographic Journey and Visual Biography of a Hollywood Icon―With Film Stills and Rare, Never-Before-Published Images

by David Wills

At your fingertips is the most lavish and comprehensivecollection of Marilyn Monroe photographs ever assembled—more than half of whichhave never been published before. Norma Jeane Baker’stransformation into one of the most emulated and iconic Hollywood stars is anepic American story—one that careens from a troubled childhood into the brightnational spotlight before descending into an irrevocable depression. In thisstunning, one-of-a-kind volume, David Wills offers a captivating photographicjourney through Monroe’s meteoric rise and tragic downfall. Featuring thehighest-quality images of Marilyn available anywhere in the world, from candids to film stills to modeling headshots, the images in Marilyn Metamorphosis will reawaken casual fans and collectorsalike to Marilyn Monroe at her living best.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Photography, Art, Fashion, Film, Media Tie In

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Australian-born David Wills is an author, independent curator, photographic preservationist, and editor who has accrued one of the world's largest independent archives of original photographs, negatives, and transparencies. He has contributed material to many publications and museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Phoenix Art Museum, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Wills has produced a series of photography exhibitions based on images from his archive. His shows include Murder, Models, Madness: Photographs from the Motion Picture Blow-Up; Edie Sedgwick: Unseen Photographs of a Warhol Superstar; Blonde Bombshell; James Bond; Women with Issues: Photographs from the Motion Picture Valley of the Dolls; and Warhology.

Wills's books include Ara Gallant; Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis; Audrey: The 60s; Hollywood in Kodachrome; and Seventies Glamour. He is also the co-author of Veruschka.

His books and exhibitions have received major profiles in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, Vanity Fair, American Photo, Vogue, Interview, and Time. He has also written articles on photography and popular culture for publications including the Huffington Post, V Magazine, and Palm Springs Life.

Reviews

[Oogii O · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting woman, Marilyn Monroe, was (*is). The book portrayed her not only as a sex symbol of beauty and elegance, but also as a human being just like each and every single one of us who has feelings and moments of ups and downs. Beautiful.

“But I believe you’re always as good as your potential. I now live in my work and in a few relationships with the few people I can really count on. Fame will go by, so long, I have had you fame. If it goes by, I have always known it was fickle. So at least it’s something I experienced, but that’s not where I live.” - Marilyn Monroe

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Metamorphosis is a very beautiful - and big! - coffee-table type of book about Marilyn Monroe. The photographs are chronologically divided into sections so we get to follow her "transformation" from Norma Jeane to Marilyn Monroe. It is packed with full page pictures aswell as some quotes about her, made by various people who were connected to her in one way or another.

I don't think "hardcore" fans of this wonderful woman will find much new info in this book, but the pictures are very enjoyable anyway. If you expect rare photos and new information, you'll probably have to look elsewhere, but if you just want to admire the beautiful pictures and read what some of the people around her had to say, then this is perfect!

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a Marilyn Monroe fan, you will love the large, glossy, gorgeous photos of this fascinating icon.

It is basically a photograph coffee table book, but with an added treat of various actors, writers, directors etc.. saying positive things about her character, acting, personality and intelligence. This was a refreshing change from the cynical biography written by Norman Mailer.

In three words: A Beautiful Book

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book plenty of high quality photos.
Lovely introductory text by the author, David Wills. 'Few people have left such a photographic legacy' as Marilyn has. There is a perfect visual adaptation to each passing decade of the star.
The text is secondary, as it is basically a photobook, as I said; but there are quotes by Marilyn herself, other stars such as Elizabeth Taylor or Marlon Brando, some of her co-stars such as Jane Russell or Jack Lemon, directors as Billy Wilder, artists as Andy Warhol, photographers as Eve Arnold, friends such as Norman Rosten, Ella Fitzgerald or Allan Whitey Snyder, ex husbands or other celebrities as Jackie Kennedy.
Stunning coffee table book and highly recommended for any Marilyn fan.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastically gorgeous coffee table book with many rare and gorgeous photos. Interspersed with quotes about and from MM herself, with a really fantastic opening by David Wills. The photos alone would make this one worthwhile, even for a fan who has nearly everything (as I do) but the text is also really great. There are many rare photos and even the well known ones are reproduced in a beautiful manner. Highly recommend.

[Lee Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous coffee table book about that most photogenic of stars. You might think the world doesn't need another MM book, but this one is quite well done, with saturated colors and a layout that presents Marilyn chronologically from slightly chubby starlet to voluptuous goddess to sad eyed actress. Worth a browse at the very least.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done. I couldn't have asked for more from a stunning photo book like this one. Watching Norma Jeane turn into Marilyn through photos is amazing, her eyes through the camera lens give away more emotion, sadness and hope than I ever realized.
Absolutely a must have if you're a die-hard Marilyn Monroe fan.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best picture books on Marilyn with selections from all her major photographers, all reproduced in very high quality. The text is secondary of course, but there is a nice introductory essay, with interesting quotes from and about Marilyn scattered throughout the book - and her final, astonishing interview with Richard Meryman at the end.

[Duke Haney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book. Some of the photos are familiar, while other familiar photos have been weirdly discarded in favor of unremarkable rarities, but there's more than enough stellar stuff to compensate, and it's all been put together with loving care. This is the sort of book that people have in mind when they speak with apprehension about the disappearance of print. Vive le livre!

[Tylah Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this little coffee table book FOREVER but I’ve just never actually taken the time out to read it. Today as I rummage through a bunch of stuff to make a donation pile, I found this so decided to sit on my closet floor and read it in one sitting 😂

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous book full of stunning photos. Commencing with the early modeling photos of Norma Jean and then sectioned into different stages of Marilyn’s career and life. The photos are interspersed with quotes from those that knew and worked with Marilyn and some from Marilyn herself. Pictorial proof of why Marilyn became a ⭐️ legend/icon.

[G. Kieth McLain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book for any Marilyn Monroe fan, this has one of the bet collections
of photos, and the bet descriptions of her rise to fame within 20 years. I have been collecting memorabilia for a long time and this has already became my favorite

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was interesting to hear what people had to say about her. She seemed like a really sad and lonely person.

[Bonnie_Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard of this book from the makeup artist/makeup historian buff Erin Parsons, who has gone on to collect some of Marilyn Monroe's personal makeup items, including lipsticks. I am glad I purchased this book because the photographs and quotes and overall layout is amazing. The sharpness and quality of the photographs when she was modeling under her birthname, Norma Jean, are impeccable. At the risk of sounding like a creep, I am oddly touched and happy to see her actual skin and all the little things we all have - razor burn, peach fuzz, moles on her arms, the wrinkles around her eyes. This is a worthy book to have on your bookshelf or on your coffee table. The last few pages are of an interview she did and you can just tell she had such wit, intelligence, and hard-won experience... what a woman.

[Christine Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! I love the format of David Wills' books. Gorgeous giant photos and a minimal amount of text. I have two Audrey Hepburn ones plus Kodachrome and Bathing Beauties. I'm a huge Marilyn Monroe fan, and these pictures from her private life and her movie career, in chronological order, are simply stunning. The quotes from friends, co-stars, directors and photographers, as well as Marilyn herself, give us an insight into her unique persona. Kudos, David Wills!

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful representations of a pictorial history on Marilyn I’ve ever seen. The photos are almost reborn in high-definition and incredible detail. What is written in the beginning expresses Marilyn to exquisite detail. After that are quotes from those that knew Marilyn and Marilyn herself and take you through a visual and intimate journey through her “metamorphosis. “ It’s the first book that doesn’t cover the obvious and overdone story of her life. It’s unique and refreshing.

[Jmlou_94 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The images are speaking for themselves- gorgeous Miss Monroe and her timeline, full of interview fragments and quotes - all together it creates a beautiful memorial for one of the greatest icon of Hollywood. It’s a must for a fan. I love it

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I wanted- a giant book of photos of Marilyn with more pictures than words.

[Antonio Matta · Rating 5 out of 5]

And amazing book!

[Shy_M K C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend it to people who love photography, short stories about photos, old Hollywood and Marilyn Monroe😘

[Agnieszka · Rating 3 out of 5]

bardzo ładne stare zdjęcia, dobrej jakości.
nigdy wcześniej nie widziałam marilyn monroe jako nastolatki oraz późniejszych metamorfoz.
'wszędzie się spóźniała' - ale jak już się pojawiła, była gotowa do działania (lepiej niż poprawnie przychodzić na czas i siedzieć bezmyślnie).
'była nieszczęśliwa pod maską, którą dla siebie stworzyła' - uśmiechała się przy ludziach, zawsze, była współczesną gejszą do towarzystwa i sama z siebie ją zrobiła, czuła ze wszytsko dzieje się obok niej, trochę Zelda.
perfekcyjna, narcystyczna, urocza jak dziecko, inteligentna chociaż ukrywała to pod bezbronnością.
jakbym ją znała

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An archive of Marilyn Monroe photographs from key photographers with reflections on Marilyn from her friends, work associates and admirers. Her last interview is printed at the end of this tribute. I have a few memories of this American icon from my own childhood. Mostly, from "Look" and "Life" magazines. As a teenage babysitter in the 60's, I saw most of her movies late at night. No one comes close to Marilyn Monroe in allure, unthreatening sensuality and photogenicity. I don't think anyone ever will..................................

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the brilliant version of this on Ibooks, its like the normal book but made interactive, with brilliant film clips etc. I used this book as the basis of one of my essays at university. It's just brilliant

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally with coffee table photography books I fall madly in love with them, this however missed the mark. Yes Marilyn is an excellent subject- gorgeous, great style hair and make up but something about the layout of this book didn't make me die hard fall in love with it.

[Emily Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book with wonderful pictures of her throughout her life in Hollywood. It had lovely quotes from and about her. A wonderful piece to anyone's collection.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photobook of Marilyn Monroe.
It has quotes that are relevent to the images-The Images are flawless and full of glossy color.

[Jazz Age Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Filled with beautiful photos of the icon, I'm sure Marilyn would approve!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful pictures

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful book.

[Andrea Pryke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply gorgeous great quality reproductions a MUST for any Monroe fan