When an actor suddenly transforms into a superstar (usually by meteoric rise because of a high-profile role) after years of struggling to attain success in the acting profession, every minute detail of their sweet short lives is seemingly subjected to the glare of the searing spotlight.
Likewise, when a historian or biographer stumbles on heretofore unknown facts and information about an unknown chapter of a performer's life, there is a frenzy by the media and the tabloid press - even filmmakers - to bring the often sensational secrets to light.
Years ago, there was a rumor floating around Hollywood - nudged along by one inquisitive entertainment reporter - that Tom Cruise once dropped from view for a year or two in the early days of his career when he was first starting out as an actor.
The gossips tittered that Mr. Cruise had taken a - OMG - regular day job to pay the bills as he continued to audition and try to hit pay dirt in filmdom.
Imagine what a scoop that one might turn out to be?
Personally, I struck up a friendship with a theatrical producer in my youth, who alleged that when he spent a vacation in Hollywood with his parents many moons ago, he casually met James Dean in front of a bar one day - at which point - they became lovers.
Strange bedfellows, indeed!
Allegedly, the actor was into S & M, by the way!
Now, a screenwriter of a feature film - to be premiered at the New York Film Festival this fall - has reported that his flick focuses on a young Marilyn Monroe when the celebrated movie star was on location in England in 1956.
"My Week With Marilyn" focuses on the actresses relationship with a set assistant while shooting the classic "The Prince and the Showgirl".
Film enthusiasts will recall that Laurence Olivier starred.
The much-anticipated flick features Michelle Williams as Marilyn and Kenneth Branagh (excellent casting!) as Sir Laurence Olivier.
Fans will have to wait patiently, though, since the premiere isn't slated to premiere at the festival until October.
Directed by Britain's Simon Curtis, the film is loosely-based on a week British writer Colin Clark spent with Monroe while she was filming the romantic comedy (while on honeymoon with her playwright husband Arthur Miller).
During that time, Curtis kept a diary documenting the interactions between the two lead actors.
"After seeing Marilyn Monroe so often portrayed in films as a caricature, it is a pleasure to see this complex personality and unique on-screen presence portrayed so well," said Richard Pena, programme director for The Film Society of Lincoln Center, which backs the festival.
The intriguing film will be released on wide screens in UK cinemas on 14 November.
News at 11!
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