Happy Birthday, Mr. President

Last updated

Marilyn Monroe sings to John F. Kennedy during the Madison Square Garden event Marilyn Monroe Happy Birthday Mr President 1962.jpg
Marilyn Monroe sings to John F. Kennedy during the Madison Square Garden event
Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Happy Birthday, Mr. President"
Marilyn Monroe's original performance of the song
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Happy Birthday, Mr. President" is a song sung by actress and singer Marilyn Monroe on May 19, 1962, for President John F. Kennedy at a gala held at Madison Square Garden for his 45th birthday, 10 days before the actual date (May 29). The event was co-hosted by Arthur B. Krim and Anna M. Rosenberg, who sat next to the President during the star-studded event. [1]

Contents

Monroe sang the traditional "Happy Birthday to You" lyrics in a sultry, intimate voice, with "Mr. President" inserted as Kennedy's name. She continued the song with a snippet from the classic 1938 song, "Thanks for the Memory", for which she had written new lyrics specifically aimed at Kennedy.

Thanks, Mr. President
For all the things you've done
The battles that you've won
The way you deal with U.S. Steel
And our problems by the ton
We thank you so much

Afterwards, as a large birthday cake was presented to him, President Kennedy came on stage and joked about Monroe's version of the song, saying, "I can now retire from politics after having had Happy Birthday sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way," alluding to Monroe's delivery, skintight dress, and image as a sex symbol. [2]

The performance was one of Monroe's last major public appearances before her death less than three months later on August 4, 1962. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who rarely attended Democratic Party events, instead spent the day at the Loudoun Hunt Horse Show with her children, John and Caroline. Monroe was accompanied by jazz pianist Hank Jones.

History

Monroe with U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, President John F. Kennedy, and historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. at the birthday celebration JFK and Marilyn Monroe 1962.jpg
Monroe with U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, President John F. Kennedy, and historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. at the birthday celebration

President Kennedy's birthday celebration was held at the third Madison Square Garden [3] on May 19, 1962, and more than 15,000 people attended, including numerous celebrities. The event was a fundraising gala for the Democratic Party. [4]

Monroe attended the event during the production of Something's Got to Give , resulting in her receiving a hand-delivered note stating that she had violated her contract with 20th Century Fox and eventual firing in June 1962. [5] [6] [ dubious – discuss ][ disputed (for: contradictory to other sources; see dubious tag for full explanation) – discuss ]

Monroe's dress was made of a sheer and flesh-colored marquisette fabric, with 2,500 shimmering rhinestones sewn into it. The dress was so tight-fitting that Monroe had difficulty putting it on; she wore nothing under it. [7] It was designed by Jean Louis. [8] Monroe's hair was styled by Kenneth Battelle and her makeup was done by Marie Irvine. [5]

Monroe was accompanied to the event by her publicist Patricia Newcomb and her former father-in-law Isidore Miller, with whom she had remained very close. Peter Lawford was at the event that night to introduce Monroe. He made a play on the actress's reputation for tardiness by giving her a number of introductions throughout the night, after which she did not appear on stage. When Monroe finally appeared in a spotlight, Lawford introduced her as the "late Marilyn Monroe". Monroe peeled off her white ermine fur coat, revealing the dress, and the audience gasped. [9]

The event was staged and produced by Broadway composer and lyricist Richard Adler. [10] The lighting design was by stage designer Sam Leve. According to his New York Times obituary, "Perhaps his most famous, although unintentional, touch was the lighting he designed for Marilyn Monroe's birthday serenade to Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, which caused her dress to become see-through." [11]

Dress

Marilyn Monroe's dress from the event, designed by Jean Louis Monroe dress birthday 1.jpg
Marilyn Monroe's dress from the event, designed by Jean Louis

Monroe's iconic dress was designed by costume designer Bob Mackie, who was hired to sketch the design for the leading fashion designer of the time, Jean Louis, who paid $1,440.33 (equivalent to $11,111 in 2023 [12] ) for its construction. The dress sold in 1999 at an auction in New York City for over $1.26 million (equivalent to $2.17 million in 2023 [12] ). [13] [7] Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison subsequently purchased the dress on November 17, 2016, at a Los Angeles auction for $4.8 million, [14] making it one of the most valuable dresses.

In 2022, reality TV star Kim Kardashian wore Monroe's Happy Birthday Mr. President dress for the Met Gala. [15] Kardashian had lost 16 pounds (7.3 kg) in three weeks to fit into the dress. Kardashian remains the only person other than Monroe known to have worn the dress. [16] Kardashian wore Monroe's original dress for approximately five minutes, only to walk up the runway, and then changed into an exact replica so as to not cause any more unnecessary strain to the 60-year-old dress. [17]

Displeased with both Kardashian and the current owner, Ripley Entertainment, Bob Mackie (who first sketched the design in 1962 at the age of 23) said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly , "I thought it was a big mistake.. [Marilyn] was a goddess. A crazy goddess, but a goddess. She was just fabulous. Nobody photographs like that. And it was done for her. It was designed for her. Nobody else should be seen in that dress." [18]

Within the same interview, the host for Turner Classic Movies Alicia Malone expressed her worries by saying, "There are all the issues with the actual preservation of the dress and things like oxygen can affect a dress.. Usually, these outfits are kept very much in controlled environments. So, it was quite alarming that she was able to wear it. I personally wish she wore a replica instead of the real thing." [18] [19]

In an interview with BBC in June 2022, a senior lecturer in cultural studies at Falmouth University, Dr Kate Strasdin, remarked, "You can't even handle a dress like that without damaging it in some way, let alone wear it, so it was inevitable that there was going to be significant damage just by even wearing it on the red carpet... there will have been oils in her skin, there will have been all of that chemical reaction with a silk that is fragile". It is also noted that an Instagram account dedicated to "The Marilyn Monroe Collection", a company which claims to hold "the world's largest privately held collection of Marilyn Monroe's personal property," managed by owner Scott Fortner's team, posted a comparison image of the dress which showed significant irreversible damage which occurred after the gala event. [20] [21]

Legacy

In the 1992 film Wayne's World, Mike Myers puts on a bra and does an impression of Monroe singing the song as his character, Wayne, while his girlfriend Cassandra (Tia Carrere) is on the phone. [22] In 1994, Mathilda (Natalie Portman) reenacted Myers's scene in Leon: The Professional . At the time, she had never seen Monroe's performance. [23]

On the January 16, 1993, episode of Saturday Night Live the musical guest, Madonna, parodied the song as "Happy Inauguration, Mr. President", alluding to Bill Clinton's January 20 presidential inauguration. [24]

Spice Girl Geri Halliwell performed the song in 1998 for Prince Charles' 50th birthday celebration, replacing the line "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" with "Happy Birthday, Your Royal Highness". [25] [26]

In a season two episode of Breaking Bad , "Mandala" (2009), Skyler White sings the song to her boss Ted Beneke for his birthday. [27] Fran Felstein sings it in The Sopranos season 5 episode "In Camelot" (2004). [28]

In 2012, American musician Lana Del Rey reenacted the performance in the music video for her song "National Anthem", with herself as Monroe and ASAP Rocky as President Kennedy. [29]

In 2016, a trailer for the second season of the alternate history series The Man in the High Castle shows Monroe singing the song for Adolf Hitler, with the line "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" replaced with "Happy Birthday, Mein Führer". [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marilyn Monroe</span> American actress and model (1926–1962)

Marilyn Monroe was an American actress and model. Known for playing comic "blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, as well as an emblem of the era's sexual revolution. She was a top-billed actress for a decade, and her films grossed $200 million by the time of her death in 1962.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Jones</span> American jazz musician (1918–2010)

Henry Jones Jr. was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger, and composer. Critics and musicians described Jones as eloquent, lyrical, and impeccable. In 1989, The National Endowment for the Arts honored him with the NEA Jazz Masters Award. He was also honored in 2003 with the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) Jazz Living Legend Award. In 2008, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts. On April 13, 2009, the University of Hartford presented Jones with an honorary Doctorate of Music for his musical accomplishments.

<i>Somethings Got to Give</i> 1962 unfinished film

Something's Got to Give is an unfinished American feature film shot in 1962, directed by George Cukor for 20th Century Fox and starring Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Cyd Charisse. A remake of My Favorite Wife (1940), a screwball comedy starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, it was Monroe's last work, but from the beginning of its production it was disrupted by her personal troubles, and after her death on August 4, 1962, the film was abandoned. Most of its completed footage remained unseen for many years.

<i>Norma Jean & Marilyn</i> 1996 television film directed by Tim Fywell

Norma Jean & Marilyn is a 1996 American biographical drama television film directed by Tim Fywell, based on the 1985 book Goddess, the Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe by Anthony Summers. The film stars Ashley Judd as Norma Jean Dougherty and Mira Sorvino as Marilyn Monroe. It premiered on HBO on May 18, 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Mackie</span> American fashion designer (born 1939)

Robert Gordon Mackie is an American fashion designer and costumier, best known for his dressing of entertainment icons such as Cher, Farrah Fawcett, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Diahann Carroll, Carol Channing, Ann-Margret, Bette Midler, Doris Day, Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Eden, Lola Falana, Judy Garland, Mitzi Gaynor, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Marilyn Monroe, Marie Osmond, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, Dottie West, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer and Oprah Winfrey among others. He was the costume designer for all the performers on The Carol Burnett Show during its entire eleven-year run. For his work, Mackie has received nine Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and three nominations for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design. In April 2023, Mackie was awarded with the inaugural Giving Us Life-time Achievement Award by RuPaul at the RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15 finale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Louis</span> French costume designer (1907–1997)

Jean Louis was a French-American costume designer. He won an Academy Award for The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956).

American actress Marilyn Monroe's life and persona have been depicted in film, television, music, the arts, and by other celebrities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheath dress</span> Type of dress designed to fit close to the body, relatively unadorned

In fashion, a sheath dress is a fitted, straight cut dress, often nipped at the waistline with no waist seam. When constructing the dress, the bodice and skirt are joined together by combining the skirt darts into one dart: this aligns the skirt darts with the bodice waist dart. The dress emphasizes the waist as its skirt portion is fitted. While the sheath dress can come in many patterns and lengths, it often is worn with short sleeves and reaches knee length.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Kardashian</span> American media personality (born 1980)

Kimberly Noel Kardashian is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman. She first gained media attention as a friend and stylist of Paris Hilton, but received wider notice after the sex tape Kim Kardashian, Superstar, which she filmed in 2003 with her then-boyfriend Ray J, was released in 2007. Later that year, she and her family began to appear on the E! reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which aired until 2021. Its success led to the formation of several spin-offs, including Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011–2012), Kourtney and Kim Take Miami (2009–2013), and a successor show, Hulu's The Kardashians (2022–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Met Gala</span> Annual fundraising gala held in New York City

The Met Gala, formally called the Costume Institute Benefit, is the annual haute couture fundraising festival held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in Manhattan. The Met Gala is popularly regarded as the world's most prestigious and glamorous fashion event. Fashion stars and models are able to express themselves by their fit according to the theme and social gathering. The event is known as "fashion's biggest night"; an invitation is highly sought after. Personalities who are perceived to be culturally relevant to contemporary society amongst various professional spheres, including fashion, film, television, music, theater, business, sports, social media and politics, are invited to attend the Met Gala, organized by the fashion magazine Vogue. The entry price for one ticket has risen to US$75,000 in 2024, an increase from $50,000 in 2023, to attend the annual gala in the world's principal financial center and fashion capital, New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White dress of Marilyn Monroe</span> Dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch

Marilyn Monroe wore a white dress in the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch, directed by Billy Wilder. It was created by costume designer William Travilla and worn in the movie's best-known scene. The image of it and her above a windy subway grating has been described as one of the most iconic images of the 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pink dress of Marilyn Monroe</span> Iconic dress by designer William "Billy" Travilla

Marilyn Monroe wore a shocking pink dress in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, directed by Howard Hawks. The dress was created by costume designer William "Billy" Travilla and was used in one of the most famous scenes of the film, which subsequently became the subject of numerous imitations, significantly from Madonna in the music video for her 1985 song "Material Girl".

Suzie Kennedy is an English comedian, singer and actress who holds both British and American citizenship. She is best known for her work as a Marilyn Monroe lookalike and impersonator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Anthem (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2012 single by Lana Del Rey

"National Anthem" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). It was released as a single on June 15, 2012, through Interscope Records as the album's fourth single.

Bombshell is an American musical with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman based on the original fictitious musical from the first season of the NBC television series Smash. The songs include soulful jazz anthems and upbeat pop songs. Bombshell is the life story of Marilyn Monroe. It tells the story of the aspiring starlet who transforms herself into a worldwide sex symbol, including her early life and her alleged affair with American President John F. Kennedy. Despite the same name, and subject matter, this musical from SMASH is unrelated to the Off-Broadway musical from 2001 which ran at the Grove Street Playhouse.

<i>Blonde</i> (2022 film) Film by Andrew Dominik

Blonde is a 2022 American biographical psychological drama film written and directed by Andrew Dominik, based on the 2000 novel by Joyce Carol Oates. The film is a fictionalized take on the life and career of American actress Marilyn Monroe, played by Ana de Armas. The cast also includes Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel, and Julianne Nicholson.

Margot Patricia "Pat" Newcomb Wigan is an American publicist and producer. After working for Pierre Salinger, she was hired by the agency of Arthur P. Jacobs and briefly represented Marilyn Monroe in 1956. In 1960, she became Monroe's permanent publicist until her death. She later worked for Barbra Streisand and Natalie Wood. She also worked for the United States Information Agency and assisted Robert F. Kennedy in his political campaigns. In 1969, she founded the Pickwick Public Relations Agency and became vice president of motion picture production at MGM in 1985. She was married to producer Gareth Wigan, who died in 2010.

<i>The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes</i> 2022 American documentary film

The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes is a 2022 American documentary film directed by Emma Cooper for Netflix. It is centered on the life and untimely death of American actress and cultural icon Marilyn Monroe and is told through archival footage and unseen interviews with friends of the star. The film was released on April 27, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milton Ebbins</span> American jazz trumpeter (1912-2008)

Milton Keith Ebbins was an American trumpeter, bandleader, songwriter, talent manager and movie/television producer. He began his career as a trumpet player and bandleader in the early-1930s. It was at this time when he met his wife, a singer named Lynne Sherman. They were married in 1941 and stayed together for 67 years until his death in 2008. She died the following year, March 27, 2009.

References

  1. ↑ Gorham, Christopher C. (2023). The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America (1st ed.). New York: Citadel Press/Kensington Publishing Corp. pp. 286–289. ISBN   978-0806542003.
  2. ↑ Marilyn Monroe Forever in Our Hearts (May 19, 2014). President Kennedy, JFK Comments on Marilyn Monroe's Happy Birthday. YouTube. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Madison Square Garden III". Ballparks.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
  4. ↑ Branch, Taylor (2007). Parting the Waters: America in the King Years 1954–63. p. 590.
  5. 1 2 Rollyson, Carl (2014). Marilyn Monroe Day by Day: A Timeline of People, Places, and Events. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 175.
  6. ↑ Sonneborn, Liz (2015). "A to Z of Women: American Women in the Performing Arts". Credo Reference. Archived from the original on October 24, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Happy Birthday, JFK". University of Massachusetts Lowell. Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Jean Louis: Nude Illusionist". Colette. May 4, 2011. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
  9. ↑ Marilyn Monroe singing Happy Birthday Mr President. High quality, May 28, 2021, archived from the original on October 24, 2022, retrieved October 24, 2022
  10. ↑ "Musical composer, lyricist Richard Adler dies at 90". CBC News. June 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 21, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
  11. ↑ New York Times, Dec 12, 1999, p. 64
  12. 1 2 Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth . Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  13. ↑ Osegueda, Elisa (November 18, 2016). "Marilyn Monroe's 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' Dress Sells for $4.8 Million". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Marilyn's 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' Dress Sells for $4.8M". NBC News. Reuters. November 18, 2016. Archived from the original on December 12, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  15. ↑ Hills, Megan C. (May 3, 2022). "Kim Kardashian wore one of Marilyn Monroe's most iconic dresses to the Met Gala". CNN. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  16. ↑ Nnadi, Chioma (May 3, 2022). "Kim Kardashian Takes Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" Dress Out for a Spin". Vogue. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  17. ↑ Bonner, Mehera (May 3, 2022). "Kim Kardashian's Met Gala Involved a Replica Dress, a Secret Changing Room, and Zero Body Makeup". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  18. 1 2 Lenker, Maureen Lee (May 16, 2022). "Bob Mackie says Kim Kardashian wearing Marilyn Monroe's gown was a 'big mistake'". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  19. ↑ Goldstone, Penny (May 19, 2022). "This is what Marilyn Monroe's dress designer has to say about Kim K wearing her dress". Marie Claire. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  20. ↑ Davies, Alys; Wertheimer, Tiffany; Lambert, Guy (June 16, 2022). "Kim Kardashian: More damage seen on Marilyn Monroe gown after Met Gala". BBC News. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  21. ↑ Shoard, Catherine (June 14, 2022). "Kim Kardashian accused of doing 'permanent damage' to Marilyn Monroe's dress". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  22. ↑ Kris J (July 2, 2012). happy birthday mr president. YouTube. Archived from the original on April 17, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  23. ↑ Aquino T (October 8, 2015). "11 Expert Facts About Leon: The Professional". Mental Floss. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Clinton Inaugural Gala". snltranscripts.jt.org. Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Cover Story: Nifty at Fifty". People . Vol. 50, no. 20. November 30, 1998. Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  26. ↑ Gustavo Pezzini (February 10, 2008). Geri Halliwell: Singing Happy Birthday to Prince Charles. YouTube. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  27. ↑ "The Awkward Breaking Bad Scene That Some Fans Refuse to Rewatch". October 8, 2020. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  28. ↑ The Immortal Marilyn: The Depiction of an Icon. Scarecrow Press. 2006. p. 158.
  29. ↑ "Lana Del Rey and A$AP Rocky Play Presidential in 'National Anthem'". Rolling Stone . June 27, 2012. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  30. ↑ Snyder, Chris (October 9, 2016). "Watch the new trailer for 'The Man in the High Castle' season 2". Business Insider. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.