AboutEric Monroe Woodard Expertise Can - General about her life, more specific regarding her Early Years and Film Career. Can't - Conspiracy Theories on her Death; Specific Photographer/Photo Identification.
Experience 30 Year Student of Monroe; Author of Hometown Girl; Connections with many other MM Authors, Experts, Genealogists, Collectors and remaining Monroe peers. Somewhat extensive library of general information with specialized knowledge in LA area addresses and locations; Past researchest for Reader's Digest, Scripps Television, Channel 4 - UK, more.
Organizations Marilyn Remembered (oldest MM club in the world); Immortal Marilyn and Forever Marilyn (two of the oldest and most respected online clubs).
Publications Hometown Girl (www.hometowngirl.net); Michelle Morgan's to-be-released "Marilyn Monroe - Undisclosed and Private; Both editions of Gary Vitacco-Robles "Cursum Perfucio"; (appearance in UK documentary "The Final Day". My Monroe artwork has appeared on Access Hollywood, in Japanese Playboy, Roger Taylor's Marilyn in Art 2, Hometown Girl and hangs in homes of MM peers and collectors from coast-to-coast.
Education/Credentials AA Degree in Graphic Art & Design; Guest researchist at USC, UCLA, Museum R&T and AMPAS Special Collections.
Expert: Eric Monroe Woodard Date: 6/22/2008 Subject: Question about Hometown Girl
Question QUESTION: Hi Eric, my name is Nick Grundy, I have not spoken to you in 4 years, I hope you are well and all is going well for you. The reason I am Emailing you is, I have a question about Hometown Girl that I would like you to answer for me, if you wouldn't mind. In your book Hometown Girl on page 35 you say that Norma Jeane was photographed by David Conover on August 26, 1944 which happens to be a Saturday, if you were interested. I know by the picture of what looks like the records of Norma Jeane while she worked at Radio Plane on the same page says she leaves Radio Plane on March 15, 1945. In David Conover's book Finding Marilyn, it says on page 5 from his Journal (Then, the entry for June 26, 1945. It begins: " Reagan sent me out to Radio Plane Corp., owned by his friend Reginald Denny. Wanted publicity shots of women in war work.") and on page 6 there is a picture of Norma Jeane dated June 26, 1945. I just wanted to know where you got the date August 26th 1944 and what's up with David Conover's date of June 26th 1945 which happens to be a Tuesday, I don't know if Norma Jeane had a Monday to Friday work week of not, but I just thought you might want to know what days both those days fall on.
Also I was wondering about the picture of Norma Jeane on page 4 of Hometown Girl is that the first known picture of Norma Jeane.
Thanks for your time Eric and take care of yourself, Nick
ANSWER: Nick,
As much as I would like to answer your question, I no longer have my research library as it's been donated to a University who is amassing an archive on Marilyn.
As for my date being a Saturday, during the war, production was probably six days a week (as was the film industry at that time). NJ could've been pulling weekend duty, or overtime. As for Conover's date, I don't have an answer, but her Radioplane records should speak as to the proper dates of her employment and the possibility of him being mistaken.
Page 4 baby pic is a cropped one of Gladys holding newborn NJ at I believe the Bolenders, so yes, it's the earliest known image. The photo was auctioned years ago.
Best,
Eric W.
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QUESTION: Thank you so much Eric for getting back to me so soon with an answer, I really appreciate that, thanks. I do have a follow up question though. What University is the University that is amassing the Archive on Marilyn, if ever I have a chance to check it out I would just Love to do so. Also I will be going to the 50th anniversary of Marilyn's passing in August 2012. I talked to Greg Schreiner over the telephone a few years back and he told me when ever I was in town to come on by, so I was hoping I would see you there. If you were wondering who I am, I am the guy who sent you the picture of Marilyn's birth month of a 1926 calendar.
Anyways thanks again Eric for being so nice and answering our questions. Take care and hope to see you in 2012, Nick
Answer Nick, I really can't reveal anything at this point as it's still in the beginning stages. I'm not sure as to the availability to the general public at this point, but certainly should be by the time of your visit to Southern California.
And I'll definitely be there in LA for the 50th. Hopefully we can meet.
I remember you sending me the calendar and my embarassment to this day for not getting the day of birth correct. But, even with it's errors, I'm still proud of my book.
