was she a good actress

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I recently saw "Don't Bother to Knock". I loved the movie and thought she was great, creepy even. She had acting chops,IMO.

I think so. Just watch Some Like it Hot which although it's mainly a comedic romp she shows depth and gets the audience to see a character who appeals to our sense of compassion. That wasn't an accident.


"Did you make coffee? Make it!"--Cheyenne.

Yes, she was, and often more than just "good." But, she was an ever-learning actress. As she herself said, "Nothing comes easily. It's a real struggle. I mean--I really have to struggle!" In the same interview she spoke of the importance of her work, and that she felt happiest when she sensed a scene had gone right. She added that her agonies were so intense on a set that "sometimes I feel like I'm crazy!"

Part of her problem were the "drama" coaches--first Natasha Lytess, and then Paula and Lee Strasberg. Natasha attempted to stress discipline, which MM needed, but also convinced her into the over-enunciation that became a trademark. However, it rather hampered her in some films, early on. The Strasberg's rid her of that affectation, but pumped her with a lot of "ego-building" ("pay no attention to the director or the schedule--only YOU matter!") and ego tearing down ("forget what you've already accomplished, that's nothing.")

MM's material was also a problem--she was handed a lot of junk, even after her stardom was assured. (For instance, she is super-delightful in "The Prince and the Showgirl" but the film itself would have come off much better as a Fox vehicle--sharper, brisker, less tiresome to American audiences.)

Some of her best performances are in those early brief entries, such as "Clash By Night" in which she is startlingly natural, or her first real starring role "Don't Bother to Knock" where she achieves some remarkable, unusual moments.

Start with "Blondes" her most all-round entertaining movie, and go from there.

But she was awful and most of her scenes required 30+ takes. She's not a good actress, you could even argue that she's a horrible actress, she's just a good screen personality.

Have you ever acted in a film? It's very hard if you try to do something that fits your vision of what the character is, and is doing, and still deal with what the director urges you to do. MM had a distinctive persona which may lead you to believe it wasn't acting, but she wasn't making up those lines...watch Niagara, you may be surprised.


The Maltese Falcon: https://youtu.be/hp7130Bjec4

I'm just eluding to the frustration among the lead actors and director in Marilyn Monroe not knowing her lines when she arrived on set, and for needing 30 takes to get a line right. She was a great screen personality, but not particularly a good actor, at least not a professional one.

And to answer your question, yes. I work in television and movies and I've acted in films.