CELEBRITY CHAT with James Haspiel
Friday, May 17th, 2002
According to The Marilyn Encyclopedia, James Haspiel was a fan
who fell under Marilyn's spell at the age of fourteen after seeing her in Clash by Night.
Like the Marilyn Six, Haspiel hung around the New York hotels where Marilyn stayed during the mid-
fifties. Marilyn sometimes invited him to come along for rides in cabs and limousines as she went
from one appointment to the next. Haspiel's memories and collection of memorabilia are featured in
a number of articles and three books. (Young Marilyn , Ultimate Marilyn, and Unpublished Marilyn.)
He has also served as a consultant on Marilyn documentaries.
Haspiel's devotion to Marilyn is cast in stone - literally. One day in 1954, after meeting Marilyn
outside her hotel, he carved the words "Marilyn Monroe was here" into wet cement on the street at
155 West 23rd Street. (see the background pic on this webpage.)
(Danamo)
Hello everyone, and thank you for coming to chat tonight.
As you know, tonight we have as our special guest, Mr. James Haspiel, a personal friend of
Marilyn, and author of 3 excellent books about her... Young Marilyn , Ultimate Marilyn, and
Unpublished Marilyn.
So let's all give a big round of applause to welcome and thank Mr. Haspiel for being our
guest tonight!
(APPLAUSE SOUNDS)
Mr. Haspiel, the online Marilyn community fans have expressed a lot of interest in your books,
and of course we are all fascinated and envious of your numerous close encounters and association
with our idol, Marilyn Monroe.
Many people have written to me suggesting topics and questions which they would like me to address
to you, but before I get down to those details, and for the sake of those who have not yet read
your books, perhaps you could share with us some background information about how you first met
Marilyn, and your perceptions of what she was like as an individual, rather than the public
persona which she displayed to the press?
(Jim Haspiel)
Miss Monroe was standing on 55th street just east of 5th Ave on Sept 10 1954 signing autographs
and posing for pictures with fans I am not an autograph collecter and at that moment I did not
own a camera. I waited until she finished signing autographs and finished posing and I looked at
her and said Miss Monroe would you give me a kiss?
That very kiss began a journey that will continue into the hereafter.
Wow, what a lucky guy! To get a kiss from Marilyn... she didn't grant such requests very often,
I'm sure!
Not at all.
The second part of the first question... She was a sensitive caring human being who took those
parts of her personality and acted upon them. An example would be both the pidgeon and bowery
stories that I told in my first book.
Ok next question.
In ""Marilyn: The Ultimate Look at the Legend"" you said that Marilyn went to an apartment
building at 155 East 93rd St two mornings and three afternoons a week. Could you ask tell us why
did Marilyn go there? Was it her psychiatrists What was there?
She was visiting her therapist.
About the so called ""Sardi*s incident"" that took place at Jim Downey*s on eight Avenue...
Apparently an actress from the Actor's Studio asked for MM*s help to prepare a love scene...
Marilyn accepted this woman*s invitation to lunch. suddenly the woman embraced Marilyn in a
man*s way and kissed her directly.
The actress had arranged for a couple of press people to be seated quietly across the way to
observe her in what clearly appeared to them, at that distance, to be a lesbian embrace with
MM in a public place.
Marilyn realized that something was wrong and rose from the table and rushed away. Marilyn
decided to never go back to the actors Studio, and in the book it is stated that you believe
that it was one of the reasons that made Marilyn leave the East coast and go back to LA...
Could you please tell us who this actress was?
I am going to do something here that I have never done before.
Yes Sir?
will preface my answer by telling you that I have never revealed her name publicly because of
her initals.
I have always known that if I revealed her initials, MM's following would readily believe
that the actress was Maureen Stapleton. In fact, the woman who did this to Marilyn has the
same initals as Miss Stapleton but was definitely not Maureen Stapleton.
Oops, James lost his internet connection. Excuse the interruption, folks, hopefully he will be
back in a moment...
Welcome back, Mr. Haspiel.
Maureen Stapleton is not responsible for the interuption. I have been bound and
gagged by a certain actress whose initals are MS
I guess we're having some technical problems... are we ok now?
Yes we are.
Were you ever inside Marilyn*s apartment at 444 57th Street?
Do you have any pictures or could possibly reproduce a floor plan of the inside of the apartment
you could share with one of us who is researching details of that location?
Yes I was in the apartment. I will tell you that it had a sunken living room. Because I was there
with Marilyn who always had my full attention I really don't remember anything else.
In life the first times are always remembered so the reason to recall such detail about her
apartment in the Waldorf Towers, is because that was the first of her apartments that I visited.
I imagine it would be hard to focus on the room, when Marilyn was there too!
Impossible!
About Marilyn's personal mannerisms... According to John Strasberg, when Marilyn was not in
her Marilyn persona, did she often move her upper lip, as in a nervous tic?
Did you get the answer to the mannerism question?
No Sir, I didn't see that.
We are having a little trouble. Maybe it is because we are on AOL.
Darn internet, always has some kind of trouble, are we online now, Mr. Haspiel?
Did she seem to you a nervous personality or was she always in control and collected in
your presence?
Marilyn had a habit that I do recall of coughing lightly into her cupped hand and then
rubbing the tip of her nose. Which is significant because 40 to 50 years ago if you had
undergone what was then refered to as a nose job, the plastic surgeon would instruct you
to refrain from such activity on your newly delicate nose.
Therefore she could rub it.
Monroe never had a nose job.
She didn't? It is widely stated that she did have a nose job.
What she did have was a tiny sliver of cartilage placed into her chin.
Oh, I see.
That cartilage which was put there in 1950 had dissolved into her system sometime prior to 1958.
Did she mention it to you?
There was no replacement surgery therefore the Marilyn that you see in SLIH, LML, and Misfits,
on into SGTG is the Marilyn prior to that surgical procedeure. If you care to see her surgical
scar from that original procedure... you have but to examine her chin
in the full page color shot that I took of her in which she is wearing a black hat and is in
profile in my first book color section. That image having been taken in 1955.
So she had very minor procedures performed, but nothing drastic then? I see...
Ok, moving on to the next question...
What personality or character trait did Marilyn Monroe have that you personally feel is the
most misunderstood in the media? For example, her depression? Her promiscuity?""
Her tardiness on the set?
Her promiscuity...Consider, if she had a promiscous nature she would have joined Harry
Cohn on the yacht instead of losing her contract at Columbia pictures.
If she had a promiscus nature, after Groucho Marx spent 8 thousand dollars wining and
dining her she would likely have done him a favor but she didn't. Marx himself is the source
of the detail.
On a personal note, during the entire year of 1955 into 1956 when I spent time with her daily
she went on a single date.,.. one date.
All of the plays she attended that I deal with in my first book, she attended dateless...Alone.
But she did tell Joan Collins newly signed to 20th Century Fox
that she might want to consider being under contract there only because the male powers that
be at that studio will be telling one and all that they had Collins whether or not they did.
The woman I knew was not promiscous!
Do you think her legendary status as a sex goddess was part of the marketing, and not really
a true aspect of her personality?
Marilyn was girlish. She was not sexy, but she knew how to put that mask on,
that still creates awe in the minds of people that never even lived in her time.
The first time you met Marilyn, you were able to induce her into giving you a kiss. Now,
I'm not asking for a ""kiss and tell,"" or trying to get any Ted Jordan type of
scandalous details, but did you ever have a ""date"" with Marilyn?
Like dinner out, dancing etc? Any kind of personal romantic involvement with her?
Suffice it to say... We shared a breakfast.
Indeed?
Or, as Marilyn said to someone refering to me ""Give him milk he is a growing boy""
Next question.
Marilyn was generous in allowing you to photograph her so often, and even posing for you
on occasion... although one time she didn't like it when you asked for a photo and then
took 11 photos...
but, considering her generosity with you about photos, some fans have wondered why you
yourself don't allow fans to take photos of YOU!
Any comments about that?
I recall Susan Strasburg asking me this very question in the shower one day.
In the shower?
In all of my vunerability of that shower, I replied I just don't like what I look like.
It is not about the fans. Also, I would like to ask all of you a question.
Sure, Mr. Haspiel, go ahead...
If you had the choice of taking a photograph of Marilyn or sitting down with her... I make myself
accessable to her admirers and when we sit down to share a repast my feeling is that I am giving
much more than a photograph to which I would add I am a 64 year old balding bespeckled overweight man. Why in Hell wouold anyone want a picture of that.
Well, you were very handsome in the pictures I have seen of you with Marilyn, and I'm sure
you are even more distinguished a gentleman today.
It's just that fans are so delighted to make your acquaintance and it is a thrill for them to
have a picture with you.
Heck, the fans would even like pictures of themselves standing next to a brick from Marilyn's house,
it's the thought of it that counts.
:-)
Barbara here speaking now.
Hi Barbara.
Jim is very distinguished and I don't agree with him about the pictures but I have yet to
win him over. I still hope though.
Well, do your best to win him over, Barbara.
I certainly will!
I am working on it as we speak.
Very good!
(NOTE: to everyone here in this chat, Mr. Haspiel is dicating and Barbara is doing the typing...)
You are not supposed to be discussing our sex lives.
Next question.
I understand you have a collection of items which Marilyn personally gave to you. What is your
most treasured item in your collection? Did Marilyn ever give you something, which you would
never part with? Do you still have the lock of Marilyn's hair which, in Ultimate Marilyn,
you mentioned was given to you by Pete Leonardi?
Still have the hair and my most treasured MM item is the 8 page letter that Norma Jeane wrote
about the day David Conover discovered her at radioplane. Both of these items have been in a safe
deposit box for years.
What a treasure... many of us would sell our souls to own something so personal like that!
So many fakes of her hair has been for sale on ebay that it would be enough for 10,000 wigs
if it were all gathered together. What do you think of people who sell things like that to
the public for a profit?
There is a man well known to each and every one of you who has been known to go to a store
and buy a handkerchief with an M on it and sell it as if it were Marilyn's. This kind of
thing is not new to me and when I hear about such things my feelings go directly to the
Marilyn admirer who has been taken advantage of. Let the buyer beware.
Caveat emptor, indeed.
Did Marilyn ever speak to you about or reveal any confidences or her perceptions or attitudes regarding Jim Dougherty, or Joe DiMaggio, or Arthur Miller?
No. She was a very elegant ethical person who didn't bandy about her personal business.
Lena Pepitone, who wrote Marilyn Monroe Confidential, during the time she worked for Marilyn
did not have the ability to speak English.
People have asked me why would Marilyn hire a maid that only speaks Italian. Isn't it obvious
you could speak in your own home without fear of being quoted in the press in some future date.
Yes, that is a good idea, but then it seems they will just make up things anyway, to sell a book.
And so they did!
Upon publication of MMC Pepitone appeared on the Mike Douglas show
during which an interpreter was required for the interview.
In Pepitone's book she speaks of Marilyn quite upset leaving the premier of SLIH while the film
was still on, racing home and tearing the gown she was wearing to shreads. Later that evening
I photographed Marilyn in that dress at the post party and marilyn then wore that
"shredded dress"" in Specialization. That same gown was sold at the Christies auction.
Now, this may be a sensitive question, but it's one which many fans are curious about...
I recall you attended the JFK birthday party where Marilyn sang ""Happy Birthday, Mr. President,""
and as I understand, that was the last occasion which you saw her in person. From what I have read,
on that occasion, you also had some kind of row or disagreement with Marilyn, which you concluded
by telling her to ""go to hell.""
Can you tell us what happened, the context of that scene, and your thoughts in introspection
about that now?
I will only tell you that following that May 20th incident Nearly 2 months later on July 17th
I wrote Marilyn a long and loving letter that was found after her death among her perlonal papers.
Ok, any more to add, or next question?
Next question.
Alia, are you aware that the movie Cairo staring George Sanders was a remake of The Asphalt Jungle
featuring an actress named Mona playing Marilyn's part in this feature filmed in Cairo?
The movie plays currently in America on Turner Classic Movies.
Since Alia (in the chat room audience) was adressed by Mr. Haspiel, I gave her "chat voice"
to answer...
Thanks Dan.
(Alia)
Yes I have noticed that, but the actress Mona was terrrible.
Ready to move on to the next question now?
Yes.
In ""Young Marilyn"" there are many delightful and rare pictures of Marilyn, but there are no
credits for the photographers or copyright owners of those pictures. Did you have an arrangement
with the owners of those copyrights to reproduce those pictures in your book, or have you had
any problems, legal proceedings, or other conflicts with them or with the Estate of Marilyn
Monroe / CMG Worldwide regarding that?
(This is a question which I have to deal with for my website, so I am curious too.)
I have never had a problem regarding these images, allow me to ammend that...There is in
Young Marilyn a single image that came into question. There were 3 different photographers
present shooting Marilyn. My publisher insisted on using the image in the book and I said
to him that due to the obvious ambiguity of exactly who shot that frame that were a
problem to arise to the use of it he would have to assume responsiblity
for having using it.
He insisted on using it, the problem arose and he compensated the photographer.
What I do here in my work is with absolute respect try to return archival photographs to
Marilyn's public. An example of my own integrity as to this matter is that I own
spectactular original transparincies taken by Rivhard Avedon et al that will never be
published by me because I simply not knowingly steal others work.
If there are those out there who choose to take umbrage as regards to the photo's that I
do publish the end result could only lead to my not publishing the images that Marilyn's
fans has come to love.
One has to realize that if Marilyn posed for a photographer, lets say Andre diDienes,
and at that stage of her career as an unknown actress Andre sold the pin-up to a pin-up
magazine the magazine likely bought it outright years later.
When those magazines folded their files often wound up at my doorstep in the hands of other people.
The reality is that with all due respect the photographer can't return decades later to reclaim
the images that he sold outright, just because the subject became an icon.
May I add that if many of these photographers actually owned these images
the original transparencies could not be in my archives.
I think we have taken enough of Mr Haspiel's time and he is an early riser.
He wants to thank you for appreciating what he does.
The interview HAS been much longer than I had expected, and I thank you, Mr. Haspiel for
sharing your time with us tonight.
It has been a pleasure chatting with you, Sir, and I hope I can come with Barbara one of
these times to New York and meet you in person.
You are welcome.
(Annie, from the audience)
Can I ask a question?
How old were you when she gave you that kiss?
Did she kiss you on the lips?
I was 16 and it was on the cheek.
Good Night All!