Marilyn Monroe’s legacy in Palm Springs stretches all the way back to a time nobody knew her name.
As a rising starlet in Hollywood, Monroe used to play by the pool on weekends at the Racquet Club when the Hollywood Production Code required movie crews to stay within two hours of the studio until a movie was completed.
It’s been said a William Morris agent saw her posing for pictures there and signed her to a deal that catapulted her to international stardom.
Now, as a 26 ft. likeness of her stares down Palm Canyon Drive, and the world mourns a not-so-golden anniversary, businesses in the city she was “discovered” in are ready to celebrate Monroe’s life.
“Don't you know that a man being rich is like a girl being pretty? You wouldn't marry a girl just because she's pretty, but my goodness, doesn't it help?"
— Lorelie Lee, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
The weekend starts Friday evening in “Forever Marilyn Park,” at the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Palm Canyon Drive, with a concert showing of the motion picture, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – the inspiration for the sculpture that now sits at the corner. The film begins at 8:30 p.m.
"Hey, did you ever try dunking a potato chip in champagne? It's real crazy!"
— The Girl, The Seven Year Itch
Saturday, the Viceroy Palm Springs shakes things up with their “Forever Marilyn: Some Like It Cool” celebration.
Keeping your cool by the pool won’t be hard with a special drink menu inspired by Monroe.
Bartender Buddy Dennington walked Palm Springs Life through two of the featured drinks:
The Playmate
2 oz. Grey Goose Cherry Noir Vodka
6 oz. Diet Coke
Maraschino cherry garnish
The Presidential
2 oz. Absolute Grapefruit Vodka
6 oz. grapefruit juice
Slash of Campari
Lemon wedge garnish
Other drinks available at the Viceroy this weekend include the Platinum Blonde, The “Maff” (named after Monroe’s dog) and Bubbles (see video).
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"Real diamonds! They must be worth their weight in gold!"
— Sugar Kane, Some Like It Hot
After soaking up the sunshine and a refreshing swim, head to Just Fabulous bookstore, 515 N. Palm Canyon Drive, for some fashion and fun Celerating Marilyn — Forever, A Tribute To The Life and Work of a Legend.
Browse through their collection of Monroe-inspired memorabilia, coffee table books and limited edition prints by photographer Bernard of Hollywood.
Designers William Miller and Carol Dean Ross of Déjà vu Vintage Finery in Palm Springs will showcase Monroe-inspired fashions as a mixologist pours a cool, adult beverage taken from the pages of Vintage Cocktails (2010, Assouline Publishing).
Festivities at Just Fabulous run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday
On Sunday — the actual anniversary of Monroe's death — Las Vegas performer and Elton John impersonator Jeffrey Allen will surely sing "Candle In The Wind" as he headlines a Marilyn Monroe tribute concert at the base of the sculpture in Palm Springs at 5 p.m.
