"Marilyn Monroe, The Exhibit" is a scam, as is a forthcoming "memoir," Marilyn, Joe and Me!.
Did you see that psychic on Entertainment Tonight in December, James Van Praagh? He had one of Marilyn Monroe’s hair curlers — it even had a Marilyn hair on it — and this guy was listening to Marilyn talk to him right on the air. Spooky!…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - Gabriel
That was a fantastic read for me. Getting a pyshic to authenticate MM artefacts on TV? That's just dodgy!! I hope you do get the real facts out to the masses. Good luck!
27 - BRAD BURRIS
WOW MARK WHAT A GREAT ITEM TO READ, I KNOW HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO TRUE FANS AS YOU KNOW I SPENT MY HARD EARNED MONEY ON REAL ITEMS SO SAD OTHERS BUY THRIFT STORE ITEMS AND THEN CHARGE ADMISSION ...
28 - Aaman
Great report, Mark - and you ARE In the media, when you publish on Blogcritics.org - with it's wide-ranging readership and GNews affiliation
29 - Ross McNaughton
Mark
I cannot understand why Hugh Hefner after all of his support for Marilyn, is allowing this sort of rubbish to be published.
June Di Maggio is an obvious fraud, and we will never see her book published, thankfully.
But the fact that CMG support this whole farce?! As disgusting as the fact they allowed her personal belongings to be sold off to benefit a greedy woman who had never met her
Shame, shame, shame!!!
Regards, Ross
30 - Andy Taylor
A very informative and interesting piece. I've never been an MM fan personally, but I think it's disgusting that some people should not only dupe others, but capitalise on it to satisfy their own greed. It is an insult to the MM name and her memory, and I would love to see such fraudsters prosecuted for their actions. You say that this so called 'exhibition' is going to visit 39 cities on six continents. The UK press would have no hesitation in printing the truth should it be presented to them with the relevent evidence ...
31 - Rebecca Staley
Thank you Mark for writing this article. I am a Marilyn fan of many, many years, in fact, as long as I can remember and there is nothing remotely authentic about this exhibit. When it first opened and the items were seen, anyone who even knows anything about MM could see that they were all rubbish. I am angry that people are getting ripped off and once again Marilyn's name is being dragged through the mud. True collectors know whose provenance to stay away from, most not worth the paper they are printed on. Christies was the most amazing time of my life and you could never re-create that. June Dimaggio is a nobody, and she certainly never knew Marilyn, I am afraid she will have to join the ranks of Slatzer, Ted Jordan, Jeanne Carmen and to an extent, Lena Pepitone. Like I say, if you knew her, then show me a picture of you with her, if you were such good friends, this shouldn't be difficult. This is damaging for new fans or people who know nothing about MM, because there is a danger that they could believe this trash, and think these items are genuine. One thing that made me laugh was on the magazine wall, one of the magazine covers is not even Marilyn, if "a great Marilyn collector" can make a mistake like that, then we just know he is buying trash off E-Bay with no clue. If this exhibit plans to come to England, I promise you that I will tell everyone I can, press, radio and TV, and expose it for the laughing stock it is.
Rebecca Staley (England)
Immortal Marilyn Staff
32 - Eric Olsen
very glad to see people are finding this Mark - grass roots information is the hardest to stop! And through these comments your depth of knowledge and sincerity will become even more obvious
33 - Caroline Harris
A stunning piece of investigative work Mark. It is somewhat depressing that CMG would chose to advocate the display of this tat. You also quite right in what you say about some items being sold on ebay. There are an astonishing amount of items currently being sold that are dubious looking at best. It is a real relief for all of Marilyn's fans that we should have someone of integrity like yourself speaking up for her. Thankyou for all your hard work. Should the exhibit come to the UK, you will have saved me some money :0)
34 - nicola mensah
Very interesting article. It seems obvious that this is a fraud of some sort but it is always likely to happen where money is involved! Poor Hefner, maybe he isn't involved but he does like publicity doesn't he!
35 - Amy
Your research was highly insightful, I hope those frauds get what they deserve!
36 - Eric Olsen
they will only if there is public pressure on officials to do something about it
37 - KC
I have friends in publishing that I shall pass this article on to. Everybody should know about this apalling scam.
38 - HHH
Unbelievable! Finally, an event that’s more newsworthy than James Frey’s “A Million Little Pieces”! Kudos to you Mark for your great detective work and writing such an engaging article!
39 - Alice
This is shocking to me, but not that suprising, b/c I went and saw the exhibit with my parents and it was so cheap looking and put together terribly with dresses hanging off half-manequins and dragging on the floor and they were all way too big, as you know MM was a pretty thin but curvy woman at the beginning and end of her career. Also the dresses did look like cheap costumes and all in all it was a digusting display. That cheap wig was so horrible like you said, probably bought from a Hollywood Blvd. costume shop. I would like to know how I can get my money back!
R.I.P.
Marilyn
40 - Mark Bellinghaus
I am simply OVERWHELMED with all you wonderful, throughout positive comments regarding my almost three(!) month investigation and persue in taking this matter on, and drag it into the sunlight - where it (he and his people) will deteriorate like a 500 year old Vampire! Cause they are nothing else; sucking money out of innocent admirers and excited fans of Marilyn Monroe! Thank you all, I do not even get to feed my two dogs, named "Marilyn" & "Monroe" ( of course) lol, but YOU as the people who care about her, as much as I do, YOU can bring this whole huge scandal, this scam, this shabby hoax DOWN! It does not matter what you own of her(even if it is a simple photo) but the LOVE for her, unites us in this fight for justice in the most rediciolous deception of Marilyn Monroe! PLEASE do not hesitate to contact anybody you know, to bring this matter to public attention. This is so much deeper and shocking than the recent Oprah/Frey story - ESPECIALLY if you know, that OPRAH WINFREY HERSELF, called JUNE DIMAGGIO in her California home, about two years ago(June DiMaggio/Otto&Popp) are working on that one for the last 5(!) years. Can you imagine what a nice little scandla THAT would have been?! Now I know why Oprah did not respond to my claims and my rock hard proof I wanted her to look into! She still believes in SANTA!!! If anybody of you guys knows to get a hold of Mariah Carrey, please forward this matter, as she seems to really care for Marilyn! And how you get your mondy back? Call the Queen Mary and tell them! I know, for many people Marilyn Monroe is nothing they would even write about, but she has become an American Icon! I literally moved to this country for her! I studied at Anna Strasbergs Theatre Institute, after having a flourishing career. And when I asked Anna Strasberg:"Mrs.Strasberg, how was Marilyn? She simply answered, with a deep smile:"Beautiful!"
SHE NEVER MET HER!!! That I found later, after reading the correct literature! And ANNA STRASBERG never ever even send 1 single rose to MM's crypt(at least nothing to my knowledge) and I invited her to speak on August 5th at the annual memorial service for MM.All I got was a written pamphlet, which I read in front of the "Marilyn Remembered Fan Club" and many other faithful MM lovers; and now I feel really stupid even doing so! Mrs.Strasberg has to act ! Since she is a former actress and teaching here and there. She made many many millions off a woman she has never even met in person and now seems to sell out for the sake of MONEY!!! This is so much deeper than just what you can see, displayed on a historic Ocean Liner(American History misused for a terrible crime! the crime of fraud on the people!!!)Otto and JuneDiMaggio REALLY just seem to be the welcome puppets in a farce that is called:"How to create money for the course of 12 years from people from all over the world!!!" And that play is written and directed by Mark Roesler(discribed in above article) and Anna Strasberg, head of the ESTATE OF MARILYN MONROE, again, to which I was stupid enough to give ALL MY MONEY! I feel betrayed and I feel SCREWD!!! SHAME ON YOU,MRS. STRASBERG. I would really like to see her stripped of the power of the ESTATE, just like Milli Vanilli got stipped of their GRAMMY, when it finally came out that it was all a big LIE!!! I hope you read this Mrs. STRASBERG, as I am NOT afraid of your powerful, William Hurt wanna be lawyer, Mark Roesler!
41 - Mark Bellinghaus
Sorry if I seem a bit "crazy" (you have to be inorder to pull thus far) and forgive me for the typos, I hardly slept, since that story had priority! They seem to really getting away with it! That is the most shocking part! Please use this platform to make friends, exchange information, communicate with each other and submit your thoughts and ideas about this mega fraud! Let's show them the POWER OF THE INTERNET and which year we are living in! When conservative news media did not answer, when Patrick Healey, as I handed him the photos and my case over, and he said:"Iwish you luck" I mentioned to Ernest Cunningham who is my "partner in crime" on this from day one(THANK YOU SO MUCH!) - I said: Ernest, the NBC will not call! And I was right!
But what can I do? Any suggestions...anything at all? Not me - but understand; even though died a long time ago - MARILYN MONROE needs your HELP!
42 - nicola mensah
I sent the link to your article to one of the national UK newspapers. Might not do anything but you never know! Perhaps if it was an important anniversary they might pick it up more but as February may be no interest!
43 - Mark Bellinghaus
Thank you so much, Nicola! maybe you will have more luck, as I contacted numerous papers in Great Britain as well. I have translated this "case" into French, German, Italian and Spanish! I will put it up shortly on my website: www.mmfraud.com and as mentioned in my article; what do you guys think about the idea of having a DEMONSTRATION FOR MARILYN MONROE AND AGAINST THE FRAUDULENT EXHIBIT! Please share your thoughts and you can also make a statement to other people's opinion or points of view. This is really all for you guys!
44 - HHH
A demonstration is a great idea! Count me in! Just name the date, time, and place, and I'll be there!!!
45 - Truthseeker
Great Article! Thank God for citizen journalists, since it seems the corporate news media would rather spend hours and hours on one story (like a missing girl in Aruba) instead of covering many stories that affect us all -- like what our government is up to or major public frauds. They jump on any story that trashes Marilyn Monroe (or other celebrities), but don't question the claims of people like June DiMaggio. Why doesn't an exhibit like the Marilyn Monroe collection at the Queen Mary, which might be defrauding hundreds or thousands of people, be held up to the standards of those of the major auction houses. Why don't they have to prove the authenticity of their items before they "sell" them to the public (in this case for the price of a ticket)? Why do I have the feeling that if I opened an exhibit of the same quality and claimed to have items of, say, Elvis, it would be shut down in days and I'd be in jail. Yet, these people go unchecked and unquestioned. Who has the duty to protect the public from this kind of fraud. The James Frey controversy is one of the best things to happen to Truth in a long time. Whether it is claims about Marilyn, or the Kennedys or books on political issues -- it's time to hold these publishers and corporations and estates accountable for what they claim, print and sell.
46 - Kelli Wheeler
First off Mark, great article. You totally hit the nail on the head with this one. I knew walking into the exhibit right off with the "diamonds" dress that I had wasted my money. I may have believed some of the items had they had pictures of her in them but none of them did. They did have one picture, that I still get a great laugh out of, stating "Marilyn in Korea" and unless we sent 6-10yr old little white boys to fight the war that was obviously incorrect. She was at Ebbets Field and for someone like me who is just a fan to know that pretty much wraps up what a waste of time and money this exhibit is. It just bothers me so much that someone would go to the trouble to put on an exhibit and not be through enough that a girl like me could blatnently tell that it was a total fraud. Channel 2 news interviewed me when I was leaving and I pretty much told them that the only good part was that some of the money was going to Hollygrove (which is now shutting down...go figure) and that I thought it was overpriced due to the fact that 90% was undefinable and you couldn't even take pictures to remember your visit. So needless to say Mark I am with you on this one....KEEP FIGHTING!!!
Kelli Wheeler
47 - Victoria Royalty
Great job Mark! I am just shocked to learn about this, and I believe every word you say. Its just horrible the lengths that dishonest people will go to, to make money and earn publicity. My goal is to keep Marilyn's memory alive for future generations. Thanks ever so for writing the article!
~Victoria Royalty
48 - HHH
Move over Frey, there's a new game in town!
OPRAH, PLEASE HEAR ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AND GO PUBLIC WITH THIS NEWSWORTHY STORY! Hey, I'll bet Mark will even jump on your couch! All kidding aside, please bring this horrendous exhibit, what should be a fiction book, and all money grubbers to light -- what is done in the dark will eventually be brought to light!
49 - nay
The Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend dress and body form are from the Buana Park Wax Museum that closed a few weeks prior to the exhibit opening.
I made a replica of the dress for a costume party and studied the real dress in great detail. The one on display was a horrible replica and did not come close to matching what the real thing looked like.
50 - Mark Bellinghaus
You bet I would jump on that couch - even naked if that is the rule or a must!
51 - John Walker
I have known Mark for several years - and I know of his unyeilding love and admiration for MM. He is certainly one of the most prominent collectors and I have personally seen documentation. He notified me of his frustration regarding this current exhibit and clearly, he has done his homework! Great job Mark - and I hope the end result puts an end to any fraud that is being commited.
52 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#49 nay; exactly! but I have an official press release from the Otto&Fraud Co. that stated officially that that piece of rubbish was actually the REAL ONE that MM wore in the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"!
53 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#51 Thank you so much, John! Maybe you should shoot a documentuary about this! It certainly would be an interesting subject, not only for the hard core MM Fans and lovers!
54 - johan grimmius
hi mark,
i read your article about the mm show by robert w.otto.
i found it very interesting to read, since i had also my doubts.
i also collect mm items, but only the regular ones . no personal stuff or autographs. i would love to have those, but next to the money they cost, i would not dare to buy it since there are soo many fake items.i see myself also mm owned items ect all the time for sale on ebay and i am always suprised that people do by it.
funny when i read mr ottos ebay name you mentioned, i recognized it. i had come across him a couple of times on ebay. and since i saw some items he did buy , i thought he must not be collecting that long, since many items were only a few years old and he could have bought it in a book shop or so when they were issued. that suprised me a bit, thats why i thought he must be rather a new mm collector.
many items like the dolls ect which are on display i have also and they are nice to collect as a mm fan ( with rather limited financial amounts) but they are not the items for such a huge show as it is advertised. i have the bobbinghead doll also which is shown in the article and i really like it. but i can imagine thats not a piece people are willing to pay a high ticket price for to see.
i thought that if they took away all the fake mm items on the show, they remaining mm items would be nice but not spectacular . i could make an exhibition also from my stuff that way and it could be nice . then it would be a show of mm items and not mm owned items.
i also wondered why people still buy all the items with mm inscribed on it. i could not imagine that mm would have it made that way. but people are still buying it. very strange. i know a mm fan also who has a few of such items. he is proud of it but i thought not to mention my doubts. did not want to spoil his dream. but i would not pay a $ for it myself.
thought to send you this note, since i really liked your article and the way you are handling this mm show.
yours johAn grimmius ( holland).
55 - Jennifer Duncan
Hello, I want to thank you for writing this artical. I am HUGE Marilyn fan and I am so sick and tired of these people trying to make money off of the fans by selling fake Marilyn items or displaying them in this so called museum. What A load of crap. I hope this mr.otto guy get's what's coming to him. Mark I want to wish you nothing but the best and I hope this get's major exposure for you and for all the true Marilyn fans out there. We are all fed up with this crap!!
56 - Mark Bellinghaus
I guess I forgot to add this to the photo of the hair rollers, which are shown in the beginning of my article:
The "corpus delicti" of Otto's painful and so hoaxes Marilyn Monroe exhibit and "private collection"! Behind glass is a 1974 model of a Clairol Hair roller set; after contacting Clairol, I learned that "CLAIROL" did not even EXIST in 1962!(it was formerly know as Remington!) 1962: THAT was the year, MR.OTTO, when Marilyn Monroe died! Are you the new Houdini? Can I ride in your time machine?! He seriously presents a set of hairrollers, which were at least made 12(!) years after Marilyn Monroe's death, as hers! Next time you try to present an item of such importance, do your homework, and how REAL the blonde hair that you claim is from Marilyn Monroe, is, that does not need any further explaination! Nice try, but I bought two of these "Clairol 20 Instant Hairsetter" on eBay! To proof you wrong! And this is just the beginning. Shame on you, Robert W.Otto!!!
www.robertwotto.com
57 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#55 Thank you, Jennifer! You are so right! And what I do not understand: you go into a store and steel an apple(because you are hungry) - you get arrested and maybe even go to jail for this! BUT:
You "CREATE" a to 98.9% FAKE MM EXHIBIT, and you are on ET and all over the news and media!!!
I just checked Mark Roesler's website and "mysteriously" ALL of the INTERVIEWS with June DiMaggio and Robert W Otto (2) are gone! But do not worry - they are saved and multiplied, and are PROOF about the ongoings behind that whole "Marilyn-ENRON!" You never know~ as I heard that this man, Otto has a very protective brother, and they are from Chicago...! I am not afraid, I mean I already got some strange and weired calls, including threats, but we are talking about a million $ business in the making and continuation!!! But my friends will take that matter over, in case I will be found dead on my MM owned table! Oh well, at least then I can find out if I really am able to "meet" her or not...!
58 - Roberto Gonzalez
Now it all makes sense but I’m still shocked after reading this. I’m near Long Beach and I went to see the exhibit right after it opened, I was all excited though my excitement ended right away. It all appeared like little too much. I’m not a Marilyn expert but I had the opportunity to go and see some Marilyn’s authentic personal items they were selling at an auction last year and at another one about 3 or 4 years ago (in prestigious auctions) in LA. The articles in the Long Beach exhibit had nothing to do with the authentic items I saw at the auctions. It makes me feel really stupid that I paid anything to get into that pseudo-exhibit; people should not believe things that easily anymore. Also, about that lady (June), when I heard about her I was wondering why I never heard of her before "given she claimed to be so closed to Marilyn"now I know why, it is all a scam. She should be prosecuted for fooling people like that and making money out of it. I admire you Mark for your commitment to Marilyn and your courage. Keep this up, Mark! You have come this far, I’m sure you will make it!
59 - Rene
It really saddens me that you have evidently contacted various news media and none have picked up the story. I guess scamming the unknowing public is just not "big news." We're lucky to have people like you Mark who have exhausted untold hours conducting research and post your findings on sites such as these to at least let some of the public know about this scam. Maybe some of foks who have connection to the media can get something going for you. I applaud you for your efforts and we all owe you a huge thank you!
60 - Mark Bellinghaus
That is the main reason I am doing this, of course! And I really hope that it will happen! Once it is out there, people will say: Oh look ~ those things really do not look like MM's! But right now, it seems people are still sceptic about my proven facts I am presenting! MM pretty much is my life! And I KNOW what I am talking about, while Otto can not even tell what year this or that photo of MM was taken! I am NOT the jealous collector, what would be on that ship to be jealous about?! Oh I forgot, yeah the green REAL Pucci...which he always had in the background in almost all the interviews! Sad.
61 - norah
Hi Mark :o) incredible article to say the least..it really saddens me how these people continue to walk all over this poor woman,even in death. i just shared this article with a bunch of other Marilyn fans,and i'm sure they will be blown away as well. i hope something good comes out of this,and i personally stand behind you all the way. thanks for writing this and being a person of true character. it's something Marilyn would definitely appreciate. someone has to stand up for her,and you're doing an awesome job at it. Marilyn fans everywhere including myself love ya for it.
62 - grammercy5
I think a public demonstartion is JUST what the Dr ordered in this case, let's give Otto a BIG dose of his own publicity since he seems to thrive on it & see how much he takes to the bank after the fact!
I am totally sick of all the fake trash out there & things like this just really brings more crooks out of the woodwork on ebay & everywhere else.It sure takes the thrill out of being an MM collector!
One would THINK that the ESTATE of MM & Joe D would know better, but the almighty BUCK rules again, oh & how bout that Otto /Roseler interview about how wonderful Roesler is for " defending a woman who can't defend herself" right out of Otto's own mouth!We should find out which percent of profit goes to whom & how much $ SO FAR......
It is time to STOP IT!Let's MARCH!
63 - Mark Bellinghaus
Norah(#61) invite your friends to share their thoughts here - we need to spread the word! And #62: RIGHT ON!!! Just checked on the Roessler website and those two Otto interviews with Otto holding up the 1974 hairrollers and other junk from his yardsale trips he brought over to June to get them "blessed" as MM's, and the June interview - all GONE! Why?! Contact me though my website and I will send you a copy! (my URL)Oh - there is no doubt - there is PROOF that the CMG & ESTATE OF (tained)MARILYN MONROE is IN ~ they most likely "created" this all together - should have seen their nervous sweat on their faces...it was just all too obvious!
64 - Mark Bellinghaus
If it wouldn't be so serious, it really would be the BIGGEST JOKE!
65 - grammercy5
OH , by the way, I have a set of those curlers from my aunt, circia 1970's.... NOW PLEASE.... maybe the "gifted clairvoyant " was talking to Farrah, she's kind of "out there" these days.(Hey don't get me wrong I like Farrah, hence me knowing about the haircurlers, lol).One would THINK to have enough sense to buy more accurate fakes!All very sad when people are spending their hard earned cash to view this rubbish!
66 - rapstarfanwannabie
I am astounded at everything you have described in this article.
67 - grammercy5
I KNEW they'd pull those interviews, Mark...... someone out there is WATCHING & yes, probably sweating too!WAY to GO & it is just the BEGINNING!
68 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#65: Absolutely! It get's better: How would you or anybody feel, if you go to an auction, spend many thousands, to win for her hair rollers, with real hair attached to them(they were originally planned to be sold off with Christie's in'99), and you win those, and then a few month later this J**k comes to town, the whole City is upside down about that plastic, obviously 70's set of rollers, fabricates a whole NEW person in the well know life of Hollywoods superstar, and then they are talking big$ business like going on tour for 12 years bla bla bla...well, that is exactly what happened to me! I started this investigation ALSO out of rage! Rage because I feel not only fooled, but also SCREWED!!! I assume, still do, that my rollers are the real ones, and the combination of all this, my background and my mission, my knowledge and my guts - they are FATAL! For their idea to scam the world, and for THEM!
69 - Jill Adams
Curious... Hypothetically speaking: Could someone get a class action lawsuit going for all those who paid admission to this Queen Mary event? I mean if you can prove there was fraudlent items on display and that the majority of the items on display were not Marilyn owned then the purchasers of the tickets were clearly mislead and should be able to get their money back or be able to sue for reimbursement. Maybe this would generate some press.... listen this thing is scheduled to tour the world we need to stop this!
Jill Adams www.ForeverMarilyn.com
70 - Mark Bellinghaus
Somehow reminds me of some famous politicians! First we start a radio show, then we have ( very unprofessional, microphone dropping, windblowing, annoying picture & sound quality) webcast, with a host who seems to be on something we seek to find when we go skiing! Oh god - I was hoping those interviews would be over fast, that annoying were they! Well then, that person who seems to KNOW everyone - including GOD, then thought that naything is possible! Even creating a brand new SOURCE for all that totally unexplained apearance of MM memorabilia!
When I watch what people buy - daily on eBay, I tell you there are some masochist's out there!
71 - Mark Bellinghaus
To#69: Jill! Thank you for coming back! Great question which I considered with my lawyer.If we mobilize the crowd which went there, if enough people ask where and how and I will take their info- maybe! Please write all that to my website:
www.mmfraud.com
72 - Mark Bellinghaus
Continued: There also are some different ways that I can not discuss here and now, but I gave this the first option to persue this matter. I am really amazed over the resonace so far! Thank you ALL for that - as I am shattered with emails and Thanks! If we follow this and persue it the right way, we will win this! But they are looking for an easy way out...they literally had the guts to bring this trash collection close to the hometown of Norma Jeane ~ Marilyn Monroe, she is resting here...we will defend her alright!
They took knowingly or not a big risk! Or as the saying goes: "If you have go into the lions den, you might get eaten!"
73 - HHH
Comment #62 Absolutely!
How about getting all MM fans and anyone else interested worldwide to have a demonstration at the exhibit itself? The media would have to cover it! Set a date and have everyone interested meet, discuss the game plan, make posters, and then go to the demonstration.
ALL interested, please respond.
74 - Olgu
Great job Mark! Thank you for enlightening us. I simply do NOT understand how come no single official is investigating this fraud? Maybe because of the big guys behind it ???
75 - eriksgayfriendinCody
Mark - way to go - you have absolutely outdid yourself... but when you are so pationate about MM you have to put your heart and soul into it. My heart goes out to you and may God hear your plea to vindicate you and your heroic statements of truth. The only impact that DiMaggiio is trying to do is impact her wallet - and that is a sad statement - defrauding the government of Long Beach,and the American citizens is appauling. God Bless you in your courage to stand up to what is right.