In Marilyn Monroe’s case, a picture really is worth a thousand words. Some of the most sumptuous photography books have been graced by her luminous presence. Marilyn Monroe: Platinum Fox, by Cindy De La Hoz, is dedicated to Marilyn’s image and film career, rather than her private life. It is wonderfully designed in a vivid, retro style evoking the 1950s, the decade when Marilyn became the world’s sexiest cultural icon. Twentieth Century Fox was the studio where her career began and ended, and each of her productions, from bit parts to blockbusters, are covered in detail.

Some film stills and publicity shots included here have never been seen before. The text lacks some depth, but is light and entertaining, with plot summaries, character profiles, snippets of dialogue and trivia from behind the scenes. The main drawback of the book is it doesn’t cover some of the great work Marilyn achieved outside her home studio, from early gems like The Asphalt Jungle to classics like Some Like It Hot. But it is still a great introduction to Marilyn’s meteoric career, and a testament to her extraordinary love affair with the camera.

Related books: Blonde Heat – The Sizzling Screen Career Of Marilyn Monroe by Richard Buskin; Marilyn At Twentieth Century Fox by Lawrence Crown.