Exclusive... "At 85 She Never Looked Better" ...Marilyn Monroe 85th Birthday Celebration With Special Guest MM Photographer and Friend George Barris.... Andrew Weiss Gallery, 179 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills (:

George Barris with one of his legendary photos of Marilyn Monroe

Friends Marilyn Monroe and George Barris celebrating her 36th birthday on the set of the ill fated George Cukor/20th Century Fox film "Something's Gotta Give".  Sadly, this would be Marilyn's last birthday.

The Gallery's Judith Khakshouy, Andrew Weiss and Lily Yu

 George Barris is surrounded by (left) the Gallery's Rachel Colon and Lily Yu and to his right, daughter Caroline Barris & friend Len Glasser

Caroline Barris, George Barris, Peggy Russell and Len Glasser

The Hollywood Times' Bee Beyer and Peggy Russell

 Mdivani Monroe (right) of Zee Trenz TV and associate  Diana - you can see their great video coverage at http://www.ladieswholunchtravel.com/ (:

Rachel Colon and Judith Khakshouy

Princess Barbie and Shirley chat while doggie Angelica Houston listens in

Amy Condit, Leah Peterson and bf

Lily Yu and legendary photographer George Barris(:

A Birthday Greeting from Marilyn's half sister Berniece Miracle written in the 1950's courtesy of the  Scott Fortner Collection

Last nite the Man of the Hour was legendary photographer George Barris and the Lady of the Hour was his friend Screen Icon Marilyn Monroe at the Andrew Weiss Gallery in Beverly Hills.  Back in 1954 George photographed Marilyn when she was on location for Billy Wilder's "The Seven Year Itch" in New York City.  Many of his photos of her standing over a subway grating have become iconic images as well as the photos he took of  her in 1962 which were the last ones taken of the star before she died in August of that year.  Accompanied by my friend,  his daughter Caroline Barris and friend Len Glasser, George greeted the press, mingled with friends, well wishers and Marilyn fans.  He holds his memories of Marilyn in the highest light and always has a good word to say about her.  "I saw her picture in the newspaper and thought she really had something....  I went to the location where she was filming.  I was in the building where they were shooting and she was leaning out of the window and I started snapping...  She must have heard the shutter sound of the camera and then she  turned around, laughed and said  'I'll take a dozen' "....   Yesterday would have been MM's 85th birthday.  Besides the beautiful photos of MM the gallery also features birthday cards to Marilyn from fans around the world to celebrate her 85th.  The Marilyn Remembered fan club  worked together with the gallery to coordinate the card campaign  and the outpouring of love and sentiment for the late star is very touching...  It is clear that her star is shining as bright as ever...  Happy Birthday Marilyn!  Love, HH(:

"She was a nice sweet girl" recalls Barris.  The photo above was taken at the wrap party for "The Seven Year Itch" in New York at the St. Regis Hotel in 1954.

P.S.   About 3 years ago I hosted and produced a popular talk show trilogy about Marilyn featuring colleages and friends that knew her -  George wasn't able to join us on them but  I'm happy to say that they were widely seen on TimeWarner Cable and have been watched worldwide via the internet at http://www.harrisonheldstarmedia.com/ .  If you haven't yet seen them yet click Video at the top of the page to view.  Enjoy!  More shows are in the works.....  (: