JERICHO, N.Y., January 3, 2002 – AMC pays homage to the ultimate blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe, when it presents the "Love is Blonde" festival on Saturday, January 5. The festival includes: THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS, co-starring Dan Dailey; NIAGARA, with Joseph Cotton; and BUS STOP, co-starring Don Murray. The "Love is Blonde" festival also features the original documentary MARILYN MONROE: THE FINAL DAYS and an encore presentation of BACKSTORY: BUS STOP.
AMC's "Love is Blonde" festival begins at 10:00 AM (ET) with the original documentary MARILYN MONROE: THE FINAL DAYS (2001), an in-depth look at Monroe at work on her last film, SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE. The two-hour documentary, narrated by James Coburn, includes the edited reconstruction of 37 minutes of footage from that film as well as rare production stills, playful footage of Monroe on the set and in costume, hair and make-up tests, and candid interviews with Monroe's friends and associates, including many who speak publicly about her for the first time. (Also at 8:00 PM.)
Next, at 12:05 PM (ET), Monroe is a hatcheck girl who comes between a son and his parents in the musical THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS (1954), the tale of a showbiz family. Ethyl Merman, Donald O'Connor, Dan Daily, Johnnie Ray and Mitzie Gaynor co-star in the film, which was nominated for three Academy Awards®, including Best Costume Design, Best Music and Best Writing.
In the suspenseful thriller NIAGARA (1953), airing at 2:15 PM (ET), Monroe is a devious bride plotting to kill her new groom, Joseph Cotton, on their honeymoon. Filmed on location at Niagara Falls, the film co-stars Jean Peters and Max Showalter. Following, at 4:00 PM (ET), Monroe is a singer stranded in the Canadian wilderness with Robert Mitchum and his young son in the drama RIVER OF NO RETURN (1954). All three must overcome internal conflicts to find their way downriver and into each other's hearts.
AMC continues its "Love is Blonde" festival with a look at the making of one of Monroe's career-defining performances in BACKSTORY: BUS STOP, airing at at 5:45 PM (ET). This episode of the original AMC series, which divulges the stories behind Hollywood's most notable films, reveals that Monroe had everything riding on the film BUS STOP – her reputation, her fledgling production company, and most of all, her sense of self. The pressure was almost too much for her, but she persevered and received outstanding reviews for her work. (Also at 12:00 AM.)
Next, viewers can see Monroe's performance in BUS STOP (1956), airing at 6:15 PM (ET). As an ambitious but vulnerable saloon singer drawn unwillingly into a relationship with a rodeo cowboy, Monroe emerges as more than just a sexual icon and establishes herself as an actress of profound talent. Don Murray co-stars. (Also at 12:30 AM.)
AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS is the nation's premier movie network, bringing timeless favorites to a broad audience by placing them in a fresh and contemporary context. Award-winning original documentaries, series and specials are infused with the energy and excitement of Hollywood past and present. Launched in 1984, AMC is currently available in 81 million homes.
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Contact:
Jaime Saberito
Dina White
516-803-4350
Fenot Tekle
Lynn Weiss
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