List No. 041

MUST MAKE EFFORT TO DO

Marilyn Monroe

Late 1955

As 1955 came to a close, Marilyn Monroe wrote this motivational set of New Year’s Resolutions in one of her address books – a list that, if followed, would hopefully lead to another 12 months as successful as the last. Monroe was 29 years old at the time and had already filmed an impressive number of movies, including The Seven Year Itch, released that year, and just recently had been accepted as a student at Lee Strasberg’s renowned Actors Studio. Judging by the list, she was determined to make the most of her opportunities.

Must make effort to do

Must have the discipline to do the following–

z – go to class–my own always–without fail

x – go as often as possible to observe Strasberg’s other private classes

g – never miss my actors studio sessions

v – work whenever possible–on class assignments–and always keep working on the acting exercises.

u – start attending Clurman lectures–also Lee Strasberg’s directors’ lectures at theater wing–enquire about both

l – keep looking around me–only much more so–observing–but not only myself but others and everything–take things (it) for what they (it’s) are worth.

y – must make strong effort to work on current problems and phobias that out of my past has arisen–making much much much more more more more more effort in my analysis. And be there always on time–no excuses for being ever late.

w – if possible take at least one class at university–in literature–

o – follow RCA thing through.

p – try to find someone to take dancing from–body work (creative)

t – take care of my instrument–personally & bodily (exercise)

try to enjoy myself when I can–I’ll be miserable enough as it is.