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Norma Jean & Marilyn
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Wikipedia article
'Norma Jean & Marilyn' is a 1996 made-for-TV biographical film produced by HBO and premiered on May 18, 1996. The film featured Ashley Judd as Norma Jean Dougherty and Mira Sorvino as Marilyn Monroe. It was partially based on the 1989 book 'Norma Jean: My Secret Life With Marilyn Monroe' by actor Ted Jordan (played by Josh Charles), who claimed to have had a years-long relationship with Monroe.
The tagline for the highly fictionalized film summarizes the plot: "Marilyn Monroe was our fantasy. Norma Jean was her reality." In dream-like scenes, Monroe and her former self appear together, with Norma Jean sometimes taunting Marilyn. The original music score was composed by Christopher Young.
It was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, each including for both lead actresses.
Cast
* Ashley Judd as Norma Jean Dougherty
** Marianne Davis as Young Norma Jean
** Kelsey Mulrooney as Child Norma Jean
* Mira Sorvino as Marilyn Monroe
* Josh Charles as Ted Jordan
* Ron Rifkin as Johnny Hyde
* David Dukes as Arthur Miller
* Peter Dobson as Joe DiMaggio
* Taylor Nichols as Fred Karger
* John Rubinstein as Darryl F. Zanuck
* Allan Corduner as Billy Wilder
* Lindsay Crouse as Natasha Lytess
* Dennis Bowen as Tom Kelley
* Nancy Linehan Charles as Bette Davis
* Jeffrey Combs as Montgomery Clift
* Steven Culp as Robert F. Kennedy
* Lou Cutell as Henry T. Weinstein
* Dana Goldstone as Lee Strasberg
* Micole Mercurio as Mozelle Hyde
* John Apicella as Milton R. Krasner
* Kevin Bourland as David March
* Michael O'Neill as Mr. Kimmel
Production
A cherry-adorned dress Sorvino wore in the film, from 'The Misfits' (1961), was actually worn by Monroe during the filming of the original movie. It was provided to the production by designer and cinema costume collector, Gene London.
Critical reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 60% of professional critics gave the film a positive review, with a rating average of 4.8 out of 10.[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/norma_jean_and_marilyn/ Norma Jean and Marilyn]. 'Rotten Tomatoes'. Flixster. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
Awards and nominations
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! Ref.
|-
| rowspan="2"| Golden Globe Awards
| rowspan="2"| Best Actress Miniseries or Television Motion Picture
| Ashley Judd
|
| rowspan="2" align="center"|
|-
| Mira Sorvino
|
|-
| rowspan="5"| Primetime Emmy Awards
| rowspan="2"| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special
| Ashley Judd
|
| rowspan="5" align="center"|
|-
| Mira Sorvino
|
|-
| Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special
| John Thomas
|
|-
| Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Special
| Andre Blaise
|
|-
| Outstanding Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Special
| Christopher Young
|
|}
References
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