L2L Amanda Konkle

Amanda Konkle, Some Kind of Mirror

Today we recognize “celebrity” and “actor” as two separate vocations — many instantly recognizable celebrities have few acting credits. Marilyn Monroe was both and may be the most successful ever at doing both at once. This week, Leigh Rich and P. T. Bridgeport chat with Amanda Konkle, author of Some Kind of Mirror: Creating Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn was a deft actress, both on the set and, especially, in the role of a celebrity. Yet because of her celebrity role, many downplay her skills as a cinema actress. How good was she really? Why did the public of the 1950s respond to her so positively? How did her celebrity status affect the parts she was offered? Dr. Konkle will cover these subjects and more.