MovieChat Forums > Johnny Eager (1942) Discussion > Lana Turner as Marilyn Monroe prototype

Lana Turner as Marilyn Monroe prototype

posted 12 years ago by wendell_watkins
4 replies | jump to latest

I was wondering if everyone has noticed that throughout her career that Marilyn Monroe was doing a very good imitation of Lana Turner in "Johnny Eager"? I'm exaggerating a bit of course BUT I swear than anyone seeing Turner in this movie will soon agree that Marilyn Monroe had to have been, let us say, inspired by Turner's role in this film. Either that or it's one helluva coincidence! Please check out this flick and watch Lana Turner and see if you can't see what I'm saying.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] gbennett5 11 years ago

While neither was a great actress, I feel Turner was a technically better
actress. True, she wasn't as special or vulnerable as Monroe, but much
of the latter's enormous appeal had little to do with acting ability.

[–] RoyalAllure 11 years ago

Monroe copied Lana A LOT.
Lana was the Monroe of the 40's, but with more talent and style.

[–] denis-38 10 years ago

Actually, it was Monroe's first acting coach Natasha Lytess who must have admired Lana's style. Early Lana had a slightly mannered, breathy style of speaking. Monroe did not start out that way, but eventually her delivery became quite mannered, good for comedy, not so much for the few dramatic roles she was given.

Then, after MM left Hollywood to Study at the Actor's studio for a year, she also left Natasha. Monroe's speaking voice, while remaining light, no longer had that over-enunciation. (Nor did Lana's after a few years. Turner was a considerably underrated actress.)

As for class...I don't recall Monroe inviting gangsters into her home to live openly with her, ending with a teenage daughter on trial for the gangsters murder. Compared to the public/private lives of Lana, Ava and Liz, Monroe was practically pristine. (Let's not forget all MM's so-called "affairs" came out after her death, when she was in no position to explain herself.) Lana had a very raw reputation by the time she was twenty. Not that there's anything wrong with a beautiful woman having fun and taking advantage of her beauty. I know I would have!