By Seth Kushner
W hen author and archivist, James Haspiel, was 16-years old, he received a kiss on the cheek from Marilyn Monroe and, thus, began a friendship that would last until MM’s untimely death. He has kept an incredible collection of personal items that belonged to MM and is considered a respectful yet world renowned authority on Marilyn Monroe. He has advised authors and journalists on the life of MM and the real personality behind the iconic mask, as well as offering first hand information to several televised documentaries.
In, Marilyn – The Ultimate Look at the Legend, James Haspiel deftly recounts his experiences tracking and photographing “Mazzie” everywhere from glamorous movie events to quiet outings with friends and other private moments while reverently observing the real woman behind the headlines. Haspiel’s book is a personal, knowledgeable, and sensitive reminiscence from an illuminating perspective made evident with photographs, clippings, and memorabilia.
You can listen to the TRIP CITY podcast interview between James Haspiel and his son, Dean Haspiel, here.
More by Seth Kushner
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January 23, 2012
[...] Dean Haspiel drops two prose pieces from his Room Tone series; “The Icebox” and “Fire Man.” Plus, a personal profile on his mother, Barbara Haspiel: Saving Souls and Protecting Lives, which makes the perfect compliment to Seth Kushner’s CulturePOP: James Haspiel – The One and Only. [...]
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January 24, 2012
[...] [Barbara & James Haspiel] [...]
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June 12, 2012
[...] as a teenage fan, and has published three outstanding books on MM – gave a rare interview to CulturePop. This entry was posted in Memories & Anecdotes and tagged James Haspiel, Marilyn Monroe. [...]
Beautiful! Great piece, Seth and James.
Thanks, Joe. The scope of this one has me in a place where I need to take a break from doing these for a while.
“when I put my head on my little pillow, i was the king of the world” says it all!
great story excellently told, images are perfect for it..
great work!
Thanks, Omar. Yes, that is a great quote. James speaks in soundbites.
That was fantastic, great work.
Thanks, man–much appreciated.
A wrenching piece. Suffering and beauty. Very well done, gents.
I think “wrenching” is a good word. James Haspiel’s life is a fascinating narrative for me to work with.
What an amazing story. You can’t make that kind of “heart” up. You can’t conjure, create, or grow it. It just is, or it isn’t. And life can be divided into before and after the encounter. “The greatest thing a human soul ever does in this world is to see something, and tell what it saw in a plain way.” (John Ruskin)
One of the few persons in this world alive today that can say he had personal friendship with a Legend.
So true. James is eternally linked to the woman who defines Hollywood – ie Marilyn Monroe.