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Mad About Marilyn:
Merry Marilyn: A Monroe Retrospective
12-1-05 "Knight Thoughts" web exclusive
by Richard Knight, Jr.
The Blonde Icon Warms Up Chicago's Holiday Season
The Gene Siskel Film Center is presenting Chicago with a month-long holiday present—a retrospective of iconic cinema goddess
Marilyn Monroe slated to run Dec. 3-Jan. 5. Merry Marilyn is the title of the series, which presents 10 of the platinum blonde’s most
beloved films—many in sparkling, new prints. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Monroe’s fun-filled musical that co-stars Jane Russell and
includes “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” perhaps the quintessential Monroe number, kicks off the series. At a screening of The
Misfits, Monroe’s last completed film, Sony archivist John Kirk will appear in person to introduce the newly restored print that will be
shown, and discuss film preservation.  

Don't be surprised if Robert Otto, the world's largest collector of Monroe memorabilia drops by to introduce one of the films or show
off just one of the rare objects from his collection.  I did a profile of Otto (a Chicago resident) for the Chicago Reader in July of
2003.  An expanded edition of that story with new material and some exclusive photos appears below.  Then check out Otto's traveling
Monroe exhibit which is currently in residence at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.

The schedule for the rest of the line-up (in alpha order) :

Bus Stop: Monday, Dec. 26, 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 28, 6 p.m.

Don’t Bother to Knock: Saturday, Dec. 10, 6 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 12, 6:15 p.m.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Saturday, Dec. 3, 3 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 6, 6:15 p.m.

How to Marry a Millionaire: Monday, Jan. 2, 5:15 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 4, 6 p.m.

Let’s Make Love: Saturday, Dec. 17, 4:45 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m.

The Misfits: Saturday, Dec. 10, 3 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 15, 6 p.m.

Monkey Business: Saturday, Dec. 3, 4:45 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m.

Niagara: Saturday, Dec. 17, 3 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m.

The Seven Year Itch: Monday, Dec. 26, 3 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 29, 6 p.m.

Some Like It Hot: Monday, Jan. 2, 3 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 5, 8 p.m.

See www.siskelfilmcenter.com or 312-846-2600.
The Marilyn Monroe Archeologist
by Richard Knight, Jr.

Expanded Edition of July 2003 Chicago Reader story
Robert Otto, the world's largest collector of Marilyn Monroe memorabilia holds her Joy perfume bottle; a smidgen of Otto's
Monroe collection.
Robert Otto describes himself as a “Marilyn Monroe archeologist.”  For over 30 years he’s pursued his quest, giving up cars and
vacations, spending the majority of his free time going to estate sales and combing resale shops, to earn the title.  Unlike many
collectors, who privately guard their riches, however, Otto is thrilled that he will soon share many of his rare finds with the public at
large.  “Marilyn: The American Treasure,” an exhibit that he is orchestrating, will include memorabilia and photos from his own cache
of over 1,000 items.  About the upcoming show he comments, “As a collector, it’s a reflected glory, no doubt.  There is the dollar
value, no question, but there is also this passion turned obsessiveness about Marilyn that I’m sharing with the world.  It’s nice to
unearth something new and bring it out to the public.”  

At the moment, a competition to host the preview of the exhibit is going on among several Las Vegas casinos, and museum and
galleries across the country.  There have been calls from major magazines and several cable networks expressing a keen interest as
well.  Otto hesitates to name these sources on the record for fear of jinxing these deals – though he is clearly delighted with the
fierce bidding war that is going on.  “See what happened with three photos in Newsweek last August that had never been seen.  All
the attention that got.  We've got 300!” he exclaims.  “Marilyn would love this.”  The exhibit will follow Monroe’s career from its
beginnings in 1949 to her death in 1962.  Otto wanted it to have opened on what would have been Monroe’s 77th birthday, June 1st
but not all the licensing agreements could be worked out in time.  It’s now slated to kick off a 36-month worldwide tour this fall.

Surprisingly, you have to look hard in Otto’s Gold Coast condo to find glimpses of the Blonde Goddess.  There are a few small
lighted display cases – one containing collector plates along with three of her demitasse cups and saucers that he acquired at the
renowned Christie’s Monroe auction in 1999 – but that’s about it.  “When you walk in here you notice that you don’t see a memorial
to Marilyn Monroe.  In fact, outside of my little cousins giving me refrigerator magnets, there are no pictures of Marilyn.  I only have
those up because they like to see what they gave Uncle Bob.  I’m not creating a shrine in my home.  I’m certainly more than just
Marilyn.” Looking around his living room, he adds, “Besides, I don’t think I could even get it all in here.  It would overrun this place.”

But if asked, selected objects begin to appear.  Otto, who looks younger than his 56 years, and has a big rabbit sized grin and dark
black hair, has been to his storage vault to pick up highlights of the collection.  He sets down on his glass kitchen table a brown
tortoise shell Kleenex box and another that is clear plexiglass.  These are from the bathroom and bedroom of the Brentwood,
California home where Monroe died.  “I also have her bathroom scale” Otto says.  Next, he brings out a pair of large rhinestone
earrings.  “These are to me so Marilyn – big, gaudy, glitzy, these would stand out,” he says, holding them up to the light.  “They’re
clip-ons – she did not have pierced ears.  This is a piece that says, ‘Hey, look at me.’”  He disappears into a bedroom and returns
with a garment bag, which he carefully unzips.  “This is the dress that she and her mother bought together for Marilyn to go on
interviews to the various studios when she was 18 years old,” Otto explains, lifting the heavy black suit with the “Made in Paris” label
out of the bag and carefully lying it on the couch in front of him.  “This came from another collector.  It’s probably worth in the
neighborhood of $50,000 but time puts its own value on things.”

A gold plastic room key chain with the number 624 stamped on it is another artifact.  “This is from the Mapes Hotel in Reno where
Marilyn stayed during the filming of The Misfits,” he says.  When the contents of the hotel were sold late last year, Otto was on hand
to buy an oyster plate that Monroe used during her stay at the hotel.  “This was not even something she owned, it was something
she ate off of and she ate off it over 40 years ago!  I had over 900 calls regarding this plate after AP did a story on it.  The attention
was amazing but what it shows you is that Marilyn is still a story.”

Otto’s collection basically falls into three phases.  Phase one was the print collection beginning with the hundreds of Monroe
magazine cover appearances.  Phase two was collector items like the Bradford Exchange plates, Franklin Mint dolls, mugs, records,
sheet music, bottles of Marilyn Merlot wine, Marilyn on a spinner knob for a GTO.  “Hundreds of items a year.  I’ll generally pick up
one of everything,” Otto says.  Phase three encompasses articles of a more personal nature, (like the earrings, the suit and the
Kleenex boxes).  “This is another whole level of collecting.  At a certain point I knew that I wanted to get more up close and personal
and a better way to do that is to get some things that have Marilyn DNA on it.”

Although Otto doesn’t talk much about his Monroe collection unless prompted, it’s always running through his mind.  “It’s always
there.  No matter what is going on, I’m always thinking about adding to the collection.  I have been on a bus and seen something of
Marilyn and gotten off the bus to walk back that block to make sure that I’m not missing anything.  This is beyond passion.  But if
you want the true collection to be beyond spectacular that's what you do.  You don’t want to leave any stones unturned.”

Otto has his own human resources consulting firm, which employs 11.  He’s worked in the field for over 30 years and has traveled a
lot for business.  Always, he’s combined the search for Monroe items wherever he’s journeyed for work.  Over the years Otto’s friends
– both personal and professional – have come to know him as the guy with the thing for Marilyn – and many have joined him on his
search for rare and undiscovered finds.  “To this day people will pick up something for me just in case I don’t have it.”  The phone
rings, as if on cue, and he jumps up to answer it.  Returning a moment later, clearly excited, Otto says, “There’s a good example, a
call out of the blue.  That was my caterer and one of her clients came across a Marilyn Monroe article in Gourmet magazine from
1960, which I don’t have.  I get this all the time.  My friends notice her more because I collect it.”  

Many of Otto’s girlfriends have helped in the search, too.  “They say, ‘I’m such an old movie buff, can I go with you to one of these
things,’ meaning the auctions or estate sales.  That can be a way to say, ‘I’m interested in continuing our dating friendship.’”  Otto
has never married (“I can still hope” he says with a smile), and claims that his fascination with Monroe has never gotten in the way.  
“If anything, it’s probably enhanced my relationships.  I’ve never had someone say, ‘My God, we’d better quit, I can’t compete with
this.’  In a mature relationship, they realize the woman has been dead for 40 years.  Bob never knew her.  He’s not related to her.  
It’s not his mother.”

That hasn’t stopped Otto’s women friends from wanting to try on some of Marilyn’s jewelry.  “That is the single most fascinating thing
for women,” Otto confirms, “Whether it’s a necklace or earrings or a ring.  They’ll put it on and look in the mirror.  They have had
things on at a dinner party right here.  It’s a fun thing.  Women are mesmerized with her clothing, too.  They’re also into scarves,
gloves, hats, and lingerie.  They’ll look at it but they’ll never say, ‘Can I put it on?’  Clothing’s a bit too personal, I think. Too
fragile.”  Otto himself has never tried on Monroe’s jewelry or clothes.  “No, no, I’m not a cross dresser,” he laughs, “Just a collector.”

Otto’s mother, Dorothy (who was a court stenographer) and his father, Milton (who worked as a corporate vice president) were not
collectors.  But their only son Robert, who was born in Milwaukee in 1946, found himself drawn in that direction at a young age.  It
began with Joe DiMaggio.  Otto played baseball beginning in grade school and began collecting Joltin’ Joe baseball cards,
autographs, bats, and gloves by the time he was in high school.  During his freshman year in college at the University of Wisconsin
(he graduated with a Bachelor’s in History in 1969 and a Master’s in Urban Economics in 1971), Otto became interested in Monroe.  
“I got to Marilyn through Joe.  With DiMaggio you’ll find all roads of this guy’s life lead to Marilyn.”  At first the Monroe items were an
extension of the DiMaggio collection.  Otto was not a movie buff and recalls only having seen one of Monroe’s movies, Some Like It
Hot at the time.  But he also remembers, “I had a real entrepreneurial spirit and I quickly realized the value of collecting Marilyn.”

His first item was the premiere issue of Playboy magazine, which contains Monroe’s infamous centerfold.  From there Otto went on to
other magazines.  “I had jobs and I would always work during the summer to pay for them.  It was sort of the Ebay of its day, my
collection.”  Throughout his college years the magazines stacked in his dorm room grew.  Otto bought from magazine stores (he
often visited Chicago and purchased at the now defunct ABC Books on Clark) and through mail order.  By the time he graduated and
moved to Chicago, he had built his hobby into a serious collection.

Otto had pretty much acquired all the Monroe magazine covers by 1975 and about that time began to feel an emotional attachment
for his subject kick in.  “There is absolutely an identification with Marilyn but it’s difficult to say why.  I do have a rooting for the
underdog.  I do like that period in time.  I do like that Hollywood of the fifties era.  Sure, it could be part of my childhood.  It’s not
any one thing.”  He explains further, “The 70s was a huge decade for Marilyn books and I read every one cover to cover.  The
passion set in because you really got to know this woman – or felt you knew her.  Maybe it’s her aura – photographers talk about
that.  For me, the lure of collecting her is probably the enigma.  There are many, many threads making up the composite Marilyn.”  
Monroe’s estate also went into high gear in the 1970s, licensing numerous products and flooding the market.  Suddenly there was a
large market in Monroe nostalgia.  Otto considers this a subcategory of his main collection but a requirement nevertheless.

For years he’d been scouring “Estate sales, garage sales, fairs, flea markets, antique stores.  If I’ve been to one I’ve been to
2,000.  Most of it is junk and you’ve seen it a thousand times but you just never know when or where that exotic piece is going to
show up.”  In early 1980, he was transferred to Los Angeles for work and then began what he calls “the big collection.  In LA it’s
everywhere.  Probably every day after work I was going to antique shops and on weekends, estate sales.  I lived in an apartment
that was wall to wall Marilyn.”  At the same time Otto made an acquaintance with someone at a party from 20th Century Fox, Monroe’
s studio, and after a few phone calls found himself being taken through 20th’s vaults, looking at Monroe’s costumes and props.  “I
felt like I was walking through a museum,” he recalls, “The most important part of it was not what was there but from my stand point
it clicks in that I need to get closer now.  There’s a need to get closer and jewelry and clothing will get you there.”

Here Otto ran into a temporary wall.  Monroe left her estate to her acting coach, Lee Strassberg, the bulk of which was stored for
years in New York and unavailable.  But selected pieces of jewelry, clothing and accessories were obtainable while Otto and other
collectors waited for the day when Strassberg or his heirs put the estate up for auction.  In 1985 Otto moved back to Chicago where
he has lived since.  His pursuit of all things Monroe continued.  “It was starting to take on enormous proportions.  Friends and co-
workers knew that I liked Marilyn Monroe but no one ever said, ‘Oh, enough about her.’  By 1991, the year he began his consulting
business, Otto was aware that, “The passion had kicked in, no question but I think there’s a final stage where you move from
passion to obsessiveness about your collection.  This was all before the perfume bottle.”

The Joy perfume bottle was one of two lead crystal decanters that sat on Monroe’s dresser.  Otto purchased one of the bottles and
with it reached the next level in the collector hierarchy.  “If you buy what is known as a national piece other collectors come out of the
woodwork.  The network for Marilyn is vast and it’s worldwide.”  Especially for the personal memorabilia or what Otto refers to playfully
as “things she touched – Marilyn DNA.”  In order to afford to collect at that level he had to make some choices: “Sure I’ve given up
things.  Do you want that vacation in the Caribbean or do you want this artifact? Generally I’ll take the artifact.  But I don’t have
unlimited funds.  You don’t go to the bank and say, ‘Listen, I got a deal on a Marilyn piece here, I think I need $45,000 today.’  
Private collectors have ceilings.  There’s no such thing as ‘I gotta have it at all costs – sell the house, sell the car.’  That’s stupidity.”  
Nevertheless, he estimates the value of his collection in the high six figures.

Collectors and auction houses now came to Otto and in October of 1999 he got the call that he’d been waiting years for: Anna
Strassberg, Lee’s widow, was finally putting the Monroe estate on the block.  “Christie’s said to me, ‘What would a Marilyn auction be
without Bob Otto?’  The feeling at that auction was that 95% of Marilyn was out there.  There were a lot of things that I’d heard about
and had wanted to see.  You were awestruck.  You were in a museum.”  Otto primarily bought china and was thrilled to have a once
in a lifetime look at items he’d heard rumors about for decades.

Earlier in 1999, on one of his frequent business trips Otto found his own Monroe Valhalla outside of Cleveland.  “I went to this sale
because someone said, ‘Aren’t you the guy that collects Marilyn?’ and I nodded and the gentlemen said, ‘You probably have it all
but maybe if you have time…’  There was no question in my mind that I was going to that sale.  I probably would’ve stayed over to
do that.”  Otto rented a car and followed directions but was disappointed to see that it was mostly sports memorabilia.  “Where’s the
Hollywood stuff?” I asked and the guy gestured, ‘It’s over there in the back toward the corn.’  I went over and he had it all
categorized and there under “M” was bent posters and some old trading cards.  All stuff that you could buy.”  Otto, after examining a
bent poster, tried to put it back in the bin but it was jammed.  “I realized that there was something back there.  I reached my hand
way in the back and there’s this envelope.  I opened it up and there’s probably 60 to 80 negatives which I kinda look through.  I
can't believe it – I’ve never seen photos like this of Marilyn.  I knew I had pretty rare stuff.”

The dealer returned and Otto picks up his story, “The guy says, ‘I don’t bargain.  It’s $150 for all of Marilyn and don’t try to get me
down.  I gotta move this junk out.  I’m a sports guy.  My final offer is $125.’  This guy is bargaining with himself!”  Without haggling,
Otto handed over the $125 in cash.  “I had something which explains why you go to a thousand of these hoping to find the one
baked Alaska.  It was the baked Alaska find.”  Otto took his find to a photography studio in Hollywood that specialized in restoring
old negatives.  The restorer made a test that came out “beautifully – they’re absolutely gorgeous.  There are shots of Marilyn with
Joe DiMaggio walking in front of their home and three or four in the car.  They look like paparazzi shots.  We have no idea who the
photographer is.  This is a major surprise for the exhibit.”

Otto, who is always animated when talking about the Blonde Goddess, becomes momentarily serious, “This is why you do all of that,
why you get off the bus and go back, why there is no thought of not going to a garage sale.  This is like a running story that will
never end.  Whether she’s been dead 40, 50 or a hundred years, it will always be ongoing.  This is the kind of thing that the exhibit
will validate for me.  I feel like I’ve done something with the collection – besides collect it and put in a Will and leave it to somebody
else.  Maybe I just want to see it out in the world.”