Series

Saturday Matinee Classics

The films in the Saturday Matinee Classics series offer a brief introduction to classic Hollywood cinema programmed with a unique theme each semester.

Fall 2026 | Happy Birthday, Ms. Monroe

How can you possibly encapsulate a legend like Marilyn Monroe? The definition of the blonde bombshell, an eternal sex symbol, a cautionary tale of the toxicity of fame, an inescapable figure of American cinema, an actress who forever reshaped movie stardom for women—all of these describe Monroe, and yet we still haven’t scratched the surface of everything she brought to the silver screen and the world at large. With her platinum blonde locks, fiery red lips, infamous beauty mark, unapologetic sensuality, and witty honesty, Monroe was a shock to the system for 1950s audiences. Quickly typecast as a “dumb blonde” by people who refused to recognize the nuance and skill of her talent, the actress struggled to be taken seriously in Hollywood, so much so that she abandoned it for New York in 1955 to study with the Actors Studio and co-found her own company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, which some have called instrumental in the fall of the studio system. After a year-long battle with her home studio of 20th Century Fox, she would also win a new contract that gave her the right to choose her own projects, directors, and cinematographers, leading to more serious roles and critical acclaim.

In honor of Monroe’s centennial this year, this four-film series seeks to not only celebrate her bubbly comedic genius but also reveal the dark psyche and deep humanity she explored in lesser-discussed work. Featuring Don’t Bother to Knock, a little-known 1952 thriller with one of her most vulnerable performances, and the trio of outright classics she made in her breakthrough year of 1953—the utterly iconic musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, the frothy rom-com How to Marry a Millionaire, and the steamy noir Niagara—Happy Birthday, Ms. Monroe showcases the irresistible charisma, underappreciated agency, and enormous acting intelligence of a magical performer who still beguiles audiences, influences culture, and inspires such artists as Madonna, Andy Warhol, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, and even Ryan Gosling.