"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 comments76 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#74: Thanks Olgu! Possibly, when money, lots of money is involved it easily get's ugly! And maybe the guys behind are not as big as they think they are...!
77 - Mark Bellinghaus
To#75, Erik: Thanks, I say this again and again-if they are not getting stopped, they will really taint the scretched image of the US, even more. As the fraud will come out - sooner or later, and then the damage will be done! After thinking about June DiMaggio for a while ~ I feel sorry for her, I somehow really do! She probably never got to meet Marilyn in person, and then got the part of her life - at that high age she is in! Maybe she needs money (as John Miner did before he "remembered" all those hidious tapes), but she is 82 and what would come just all to well for Otto & Co, is that if - she, and in her high age that is possible any moment, pass on, and THEN- the whole collection (of junk) would automatically turn into "from the collection of the LATE June DiMaggio" and that would almost mean: don't you have respect of the dead?! We have seen this many times before, especially with MM and her own REAL and definete FOSTER SISTER BEBE GODDARD! So, June take your Vitamins, we need you, at least until you are prosecuted and ready to die in jail!
78 - Diana
Great work. I hope that this story receives the proper attention. This is such a disgrace to Marilyn's memory.
79 - Heather W
Great email Mark, keep up the great work. I am so glad to see that this is being looked in to. I hope something can be done as I find this just maddening. It is sad to think all the people being duped over by this exhibit, not to mention how greedy it is making money off of this. June DiMaggio was an obvious fraud to me from the start. But to see CMG & Hugh Hefner behind this is unreal! Disgusting and a huge Shame...
Keep up the good work Mark, and I will be sure to keep this news passing around.
All the best,
Heather Williams
Immortal Marilyn Staff
80 - Jessica
Wow!!!!! Yea..what a crock!!!
81 - Mark Bellinghaus
Thank you Diana(#79P)& Heather! I agree and add, that it is not only a disgrace on Marilyn, but also for the people who drive to the ocean liner(and that traffic is heavy from LA!) and then spend their money, and eat there, and then read in the paper one day, that they have could have gone to the next Salvation Army thrift store, and even could have bought the items they were looking at!Shame on them!
Ladies: Keep up the great work!
www.robertwotto.com
82 - Julie A
I cannot tell you how good it was of you to bring this to everyone's attention. I have loved Marilyn ever since I was a little girl, I am surprised my first word wasn't Marilyn!!
It's too bad so many people try to make money off of Marilyn for their own ill gains. June DiMaggio should be ashamed of herself. This is why this is coming out now, she waited until Joe died before she did this, she knew he would probably have killed her.
Thank you for letting everyone know what frauds these people are. I hope to see something like this on the news --we need more people to know this is going on. I am sure once a magazine reporter hears of it we'll see this in print. I certainly hope so. Thank you so much for all of your time and hard work spent researching this. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article and thank you for sharing with us all.
83 - Truthseeker
Regarding Susan Reno-Gilliland's comment #2 and along the lines of a demonstration... MAYBE IF ALL THE READERS OF THIS ARTICLE AND ALL THE FANS OF MARILYN MONROE FORWARDED OR SENT THIS STORY OR AN EMAIL TO NEWS MEDIA OUTLETS (CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NY Times) THEY WOULD FINALLY TAKE NOTICE. Maybe they would see that the people ARE interested in this story and care about the public being defrauded and robbed. The truth does matter, whether or not the news media thinks it does -- and we need to repeatedly send them that message. This is a big story! The Truth Matters!
84 - grammercy5
I'm there , who else, who will demonstrate.WHO WILL FOLLOW us & show up at a demostration? I also believe, there there is a REAL chance for a fraud suit regarding this issue.It IS possible.
I think we need to find out ALL participants on this so called "exhibit", are there shareholders / stock holders involved in CMG or Otto's organization?IF you are a shareholder in a company you CAN file.I'm not on the public end , but I'm sure there must be a way for the public to file as well..... this should be pursued..... Great idea # 69!!!!!!!!!
85 - Karen Motherway
Marilyn Fans, like myself, have had to endure lies and fraud for all these years, listen to everyone who ever met Marilyn claim an intimate relationship with her, or to be her lover (WHEN would she have had time to make over 30 films?)and movie after movie made as a true biography full of lies based on accounts of people like Robert Slatzer and Ted Jordan....only through intense research can you find the truth but so many of Marilyn's fans DO KNOW HER...even through study you get to know the woman, her taste, her style her values everything, and then you can see the frauds easily. As for me, I have been accused of expoiting Marilyn for personal gain...even by the person (SCHANI KRUG) who is "mistakenly" used my photo in his film...etc.
But at least when I perform, I have the opportunity to tell the truth about Marilyn! It does become like a mission, because the lies are so frustrating.
How many times do we have to repeat that she did not have 6 toes? How many times do we have to explain how she could not have killed herself? And pleading with people to actually watch her films, listen to her sing...read her words, the woman had huge talent and intelligence (not to mention excellent taste).
I am so glad this is coming out Mark.
Lets send our emails to Oprah, if she learns anything about Marilyn, she will see she has a lot in common with her as an overcomer of the odds. There is soooo much to this story, beyond the Exhibit Fraud...Hollywood has promoted the fable for decades.
86 - Nereida
Wow !! Thank you Mark for letting us in on this most serious matter. I will pass it on, march, picket, write letters, make calls; whatever I can do to shed more light on this scam. It is truly a disgrace how these people are betraying and ripping off MM fans so blatently. I cannot wait to hear that they have been charged for this crime. Tell us what you need and I am there.
Much Marilyn love to all of you out there.
87 - Sam
Pease forgive any misspelling , But I knew Mr.Otto,I know that the objective was to make money from the exhibit, but knowing Otto ' I also believe He actually thought that June DiMaggio was really Joe's niece ' He was Fooled as well . In the End I had a Bad Experience with Otto 'I would not Trust to do Business with him again . I'm reminded of a Time when I questioned the valadarity of one of his item's , He replied : The public is naive when it comes to Marilyn _Maybe not So as he thought ~
88 - Ernest Cunningham
MARILYN IS SO LUCKY -- EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A
DEFENDER LIKE MARK BELLINGHAUS FIGHTING FOR THEM.
89 - sherry
Please send this to People magazine or L.A. Confidential, there is no reason why they can't print it. Or if anyone has an "in" to Vanity Fair or some other high profile publication, send this in! It's very well written and comprehensive Mr. Bellinghouse!
90 - Mark Bellinghaus
Regarding Susan Reno-Gilliland's comment #2 and along the lines of a demonstration... MAYBE IF ALL THE READERS OF THIS ARTICLE AND ALL THE FANS OF MARILYN MONROE FORWARDED OR SENT THIS STORY OR AN EMAIL TO NEWS MEDIA OUTLETS (CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NY Times) THEY WOULD FINALLY TAKE NOTICE. Maybe they would see that the people ARE interested in this story and care about the public being defrauded and robbed. The truth does matter, whether or not the news media thinks it does -- and we need to repeatedly send them that message. This is a big story! The Truth Matters!
to#84Truthseeker: I can't stress this enough! If you all, who are outraged about this, help to bring this important matter forward; hopefully the public, and the people who can care less for Marilyn Monroe, will finally realize that this IS not only about MM, but about how some people try to scam the general public! Look at the news, this scandal is so much bigger and more important, than the Frey/Oprah "accident", as this is a crime, planned over the course of the next 12(!) years! Please tell anyone you know, who might be helpful, and who can support all of us, to get rid of these evil leaches, immediately! Thank you all for your great support! Remember: The legacy of Miss Monroe, needs your help, not to be tainted and abused forever!
91 - Eric Berlin
Just wanted to chime in quickly and say great job with this Mark! If only every fraud could be exposed this thoroughly and well...
92 - Mark Bellinghaus
To:#83,85,86,87 I really do appreciate your thoughts, Thanks and comments! And: this is truely what all of us unites us to each other:our true love and admiration for Marilyn Monroe.
To#88,Sam:Thank you for sharing this inside info, but you are only one of many, from which I have heard a simular discription(and yours is quite nice) about the personality of Mr.Otto! The public is ALWAYS smarter than people think! Sometimes it just takes a while as we are all very busy and think this or that is not so important, until we visit an exhibit, and must realize that we just got "pranked"~ but not for a laughter, no - for a pretty high admission for a very few items which actually are authentic! Then we have the right to ask for our money back, if not sue!
To#89&90, Ernest & Sherry! Without your support this matter could not have come this far; we are not there yet, though, we still have a long way to go! But I am confident, that we are on the right path! I encourage everyone to place their thoughts here, on this beautiful side and want to take this opportunity again, to give my Thanks to the wonderful publisher Eric Olsen! Please keep on writing and talk to others on this ground, and work on ideas to clean the dirty air which surrounds Marilyn Monroe and her rip off items, which are still on display - for hard $ to view!
93 - Mark Bellinghaus
To#92, Eric: I am so happy about the reactions of people, I really thought that nobody would even care and accept the ongoings and fair tales, spread by the people, discribed in my article! The internet made it possible!
94 - lisa davis
Hey, great piece! The moment I heard about this Otto person, I knew he was phonier than a $3 bill! I wonder why Dom DiMaggio isn't exposing this June DiMaggio as the fraud she is -- maybe because he and other family members cooperated with Richar Ben Cramer in that piece of s--t "biography"!
Don't expect the "lawyer" for Joe's estate to come to the rescue! He not only broke attorney-client privilege to publish his own book as a rebuttal to Cramer's, but like Cramer, he used Robert Slatzer and Jeanne Carmen as sources! Both books state Joe thought Marilyn was murdered due to her involvement with the Kennedy Family; Cramer even claims the coroner who perfomed her autopsy "took a dive" without offering a shred of proof!
I knew Lee's daughter, Gloria, who worked at the family diner, and was the hostess there when I met her. Gloria mentioned that she had known Joe since she was 3. As far as I know, Lee and Tom didn't have children, and, as you said, there is ZERO evidence of a June DiMaggio!
I don't know what can be done to stop Otto & Co; I'm shocked Anna Strasberg is connected to Roesler. But when the L.A. Times gives Miner a forum without doing their basic homework (ABC making a movie about Slatzer's "marriage" to Marilyn, for that matter!), and James Doughtery can make outrageous claims like he "invented" Marilyn Monroe (and S.W.A.T.) and he was her one true love (GAG!), and go unchallenged, well what do you expect?!
In a weird way, all this garbage is the ultimate tribute to Marilyn -- these clowns wouldn't be making a dime if, nearly 50 years after her death, people who's parents weren't even born weren't among her biggest fans.
95 - Mark Bellinghaus
To Lisa,#95: WOW! That is some great info on all this. Thank you so much! Some things I can explain to you. I certainly agree on the $3 bill and Otto, in a matter of fact, I believe I spotted a $ bill with Marilyn's head on it(3bucks on eBay), at his "10 million exhibit"! I really would like to ask you some questions, so if you could send me an email, you can be guided through my URL to my website and then to my email. I talked to numerous people who had never heard of June DiMaggio, but some family members like June's cousin, claim to know her, but not have talked to her in decades! Hope to get in touch with you. Thank you again.
96 - Mark Bellinghaus
Please continue to post your thoughts and ideas about this outrageous fraud. You may talk to each other and maybe learn news about MM which you did not know. Friends though Marilyn Monroe, celebrating a legend, without the fakest exhibit on earth! Still happening, right here in California, on an historic ocean liner, part of American history! Shame on all of them who are involved and still can face a mirror each day!
97 - Michelle Sullivan
Thank you! It may be worth contacting some news networks to investigate this further. Will these vultures ever let Marilyn RIP. Even 44 years after her death, she is still being used and abused.
Its got to stop. Great work!
98 - Mark Bellinghaus
Dear Michelle! Thank you and you did a great job on your book on MM's adresses and info surrounding it! Please spread the word and use this link for your contacts in England! The Queen of England met the REAL Marilyn - she does not have to be confronted with her fake items!
99 - Ms. Strega
This is a very powerful, well-written piece, and you deserve kudos for it! I'm glad Marilyn has people like you to stick up for her against those who still ravage her memory.
100 - Mark Bellinghaus
I am happy that you think this way, and if you help to spread the word and tell people about this and send this link, we will go further into direction: SUCCESS! Thank you.
101 - Truthseeker
I want to say again that all of us who are outraged SHOULD DO SOMETHING about this. In America, many people complain but don't vote or don't make their voices heard.
I, for one, am tired of these frauds -- including books released as so-called non-fiction books or in the case of James Frey and June DiMaggio, a memoir. Our news media seems to present the spin of one political party or another or reports a press release instead of doing some hard journalism. They don't investigate anymore (it's cheaper to read a press release) and we need to demand they act like journalists. A free society needs a relentless news media.
And this June DiMaggio, (backed up by the Estate of Marilyn Monroe -- they promote the exhibit on her official website!), takes it one step further, adding insult to injury. Not only a false or questionable memoir, but an exhibit of unverified Marilyn items that the public has no proof is real and no recourse when they find out it's fake.
THERE ARE SO MANY PASSIONATE MARILYN MONROE FANS OUT THERE. LET'S SEE IF WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE THAT WE CAN SEE. SEND EMAILS OR LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE AROUND THE VIRTUAL WORLD -- WE CAN SEE OUR RESULTS (JUST LIKE THE SMOKINGGUN.COM DID AFTER THEIR ARTICLE) AND START TO CHANGE THE WORLD.
No matter what you think of Oprah or James Frey, that one web story has most likely changed the publishing, television, media and news world for the better. I read a Wall Street Journal article (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113858811205659673.html - login required) after the Frey story came out with the headline "Publishers Say Fact-Checking Is Too Costly". This is OUTRAGEOUS! You and I would be held to a higher standard.
We can and must demand more from those who profit fraudulently while ignoring the truth as they destroy lives and legacies. Again I say, The Truth Matters. Your opinion and our collective morals and values matter! MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
102 - Matt Largo
Mark,
Very cool expose'! Sounds like it could be developed into an interesting book.
103 - Marie
A very interesting article to say the least.
In today's world, I am not surprised of this terrible fraud. Thanks for writing this. Marilyn fans want the truth, not fraud.
June DiMaggio my foot!!!!
104 - Jillina
Thanks so much for spreading the truth of this nefarious exhibit, on behalf of long-time Marilyn fans, like myself, and those who are just 'discovering' her for the first time. This expose was done with class and humor and intelligence, and, based on what I've read, and also heard about her, from people who did know her, I certainly believe MM would have appreciated what you did. Thank you.
105 - Valerie Elson
Thank you for this informative and provocative article. I hung on every word because your writing is fascinating and passionate. You write of injustices, of wrongs that you make a great effort to right. Your words ring true primarily because there is no gratuitous mud slinging. You stick to "the facts, Ma'm, just the facts." I like your style. Thank you. I wish you success in your crusade against the besmirching of Marilyn's memory. Sincerely, --Valerie
106 - Lulu Culver
Some "researcher" you are. If you would have even looked at the website of Mark Roesler, you would see clearly that he is 50 years old, not 46, born on October 31st, 1955. Maybe you should try to get some facts straight.
107 - Jane Doe
Did you know Marilyn Monroe? I didn't think so. Hugh Hefner did, so I think he would know a little better than you the items that she owned.
108 - HHH
[edited]
109 - Rebecca
#107 Hugh Hefner never met Marilyn. I think you're "facts" stop right there. Why would you defend this exhibition, that has nothing at all to with the real person Marilyn was?
110 - HHH
[edited at commenter's request]
111 - Megan
Difintely this needs to come out. The news should cover this!
112 - Debra Conway
I am a personal friend of MM author Matthew Smith. I am sending him this article to be sure he is aware of this group of people and your work on this terrible exhibit.
Debra Conway
113 - Kimberly Baker
Hi Mark! As I said in my e-mail, when I was reading the article, I was becoming more and more angered and agree with you 100%...this deception cannot continue! We, as longtime fans and admirers of Marilyn, try to keep her name from being dragged thru the mud and bashed, then something like this comes along. An obvious crude and greedy attempt to keep her memory alive. It's insulting to us Marilyn fans and to those who are just discovering her beauty and talent. I was actually saddened that I couldn't make it to the exhibit, but now, I am happy I missed it. Keep up the great work!
114 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#101: I HAVE to copy and paste this in, as URL's are not allowed and make your comment really hard to read! You are speaking out my thoughts! Thank you!
from Tuthseeker:
I want to say again that all of us who are outraged SHOULD DO SOMETHING about this. In America, many people complain but don't vote or don't make their voices heard.
I, for one, am tired of these frauds -- including books released as so-called non-fiction books or in the case of James Frey and June DiMaggio, a memoir. Our news media seems to present the spin of one political party or another or reports a press release instead of doing some hard journalism. They don't investigate anymore (it's cheaper to read a press release) and we need to demand they act like journalists. A free society needs a relentless news media.
And this June DiMaggio, (backed up by the Estate of Marilyn Monroe -- they promote the exhibit on her official website!), takes it one step further, adding insult to injury. Not only a false or questionable memoir, but an exhibit of unverified Marilyn items that the public has no proof is real and no recourse when they find out it's fake.
THERE ARE SO MANY PASSIONATE MARILYN MONROE FANS OUT THERE. LET'S SEE IF WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE THAT WE CAN SEE. SEND EMAILS OR LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE AROUND THE VIRTUAL WORLD -- WE CAN SEE OUR RESULTS (JUST LIKE THE SMOKINGGUN.COM DID AFTER THEIR ARTICLE) AND START TO CHANGE THE WORLD.
No matter what you think of Oprah or James Frey, that one web story has most likely changed the publishing, television, media and news world for the better. I read a Wall Street Journal article after the Frey story came out with the headline "Publishers Say Fact-Checking Is Too Costly". This is OUTRAGEOUS! You and I would be held to a higher standard.
We can and must demand more from those who profit fraudulently while ignoring the truth as they destroy lives and legacies. Again I say, The Truth Matters. Your opinion and our collective morals and values matter! MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
115 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#102, Matt, yes indeed; but right now ALL my focus and energy is focused on this exposure of a horrandous hoax!
116 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#103,Thanks and you're welcome! DiMaggio my mittle finger, too?! lol...please send this article to all your friends, not only the MM fans...this is deeper than it seems at first!
117 - Mark Bellinghaus
Hi Guys: This just in from my speakers, via CNN headline news....ONE in FIVE people are getting their news from reading a BLOG! So let's be hopeful and make sure to send this article to people who should KNOW about this scandal!
118 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#104, Jilliana: I certainly would be honored and I do believe so, too! Thank you.
119 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#105 Valerie: Thanks, we all can do this TOGETHER!
120 - Mark Bellinghaus
To#106 Lulu: I take your info, as I could not find that one and will make the correction. Thank you and I do not see myself as "researcher", I see myself as admirer of MM, first! Best, Mark
121 - Mark Bellinghaus
to#107"Jane Doe": Hugh Hefner met Marilyn Monroe in person, as often as I did: NEVER! He did not care, and when she was in trouble, written in the local papers, he did not make ONE attempt to befriend or help her! I know before I took this Baby on, that he is an American hero for many! But when it comes to the REALITY, you gotta admit that he is trying to just sweet talk, and you did not realize the terrible and disgusting photo he printed in that December s**t paper? That photo was an "accident" Do you want to be shown like that? Oh yeah - what a "FRIEND" he was...! He won't have a good rest next to her, that is a given!
122 - Mark Bellinghaus
#108-#111: That's right! And I appreciate the people who know their facts! Hugh Heffner run through the exhibit, no questions were allowed and he was on constant camera for his reality show. I have respect for him, for what he did in his private life, but Marilyn Monroe helped to built his success; is this how he is Thanking her? To print those lies and worst photo ever paublished of MM?!
123 - Mark Bellinghaus
Also: Why would Hugh Hefner even own anything of Marilyn Monroe, "Joe Doe" got something mixed up here, "Hef" himself had a huge ESTATE auction of his OWN artifacts with Christie's (including personal address book, cars, paintings, etc) it seemed to me that he was, very much though, "inspired" by the huge and legendary MM AUCTION in 1999! The only difference: he is not a moviestar, Sex Symbol, Female, LEGEND, and yeah...he is still ALIVE!He shares MM's birthyear(1926) but he is Mark Roesler's "buddy" and client, too!
We wish him a long and happy life, and Cialis makes life so much easier, of course!
124 - grammercy5
to 107, Hugh hefner did NOT know Marilyn Monroe...listen to Marilyn's own comment
From "Marilyn Her Life In Her own Words"
"It was this famous photo of me Hugh Hefner bought for just $500.00 dollars, to launch his 1st issue of Playboy.The magazine, I was told, thanks to my photos was an instant sellout all across country, an instant success. I NEVER EVEN RECIEVED A THANK YOU from all those who made millions off a "the" Marilyn photograph. I even had to BUY a copy of the magazine to see myself in it".
I agree with 108,
125 - Mark Bellinghaus
Oh yeah, and: He is also Mark Roessler's CLIENT! Strange...what?