The little friendship between Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall
Some time ago, I wrote an article about the small but warm friendship between Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable. The two worked together in How to Marry a Millionaire, one of the most iconic comedies of 1950s Hollywood. But that film did not only bring Marilyn and Grable together—it also featured Lauren Bacall, a firmly established star of her generation. For that reason, it feels fitting to prepare an article about the relationship between Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall. Before going further, it’s important to clarify that the bond between them was not a close friendship like the one Marilyn enjoyed with Jane Russell. Instead, it was a more discreet and cordial connection, similar in tone to the professional and respectful relationship she had with Betty Grable.
At the time she crossed paths with Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall was already one of the most respected and distinctive figures in American cinema. She had debuted with an immediate impact in To Have and Have Not (1944), a meteoric and unusually powerful entrance into stardom that turned her into a film-noir icon thanks to her deep voice, magnetic screen presence, and legendary chemistry with Humphrey Bogart, who later became her husband. Throughout the late 1940s and early 1950s she solidified a career closely tied to noir and drama, with landmark titles such as The Big Sleep, Dark Passage, and Key Largo. Unlike Marilyn, who rose gradually from smaller roles, Bacall emerged directly as a leading lady and a symbol of sophistication, confidence, and adult charisma. Although her public image was strongly associated with drama and thrillers, she occasionally ventured into comedy, and How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) would become her most successful and widely popular comedic film. At that time, Bacall was regarded as a solid, elegant actress with a strong personality—a fully established star who balanced her individual prestige with her public status as the wife of Bogart, one of the most influential actors of his generation.
Marilyn, on the other hand, was a much fresher presence. She began to gain recognition in 1950 with The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve. She was immensely beloved by the public, receiving more fan mail than many top stars of the time. Between 1950 and 1952, her fame grew steadily, and by 1952, Fox believed she was ready for leading roles in Niagara and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Before filming How to Marry a Millionaire, Niagara had already been released and was a success, which greatly boosted Marilyn’s popularity. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes had not yet premiered — the film that would make her a true superstar — but she was already very famous, and her image was ideal for comedy. Betty Grable, meanwhile, was entering a later stage in her career, and Fox began to see Marilyn as her potential replacement.
Filming for How to Marry a Millionaire began in March 1953. Fox brought together a stellar female cast: the veteran star Betty Grable and the rising sensation Marilyn Monroe, both in comedic roles, along with Lauren Bacall, one of the most important actresses of the 1940s and 50s. Bacall was known for her dramatic roles, but she performed very well in this comedy. Marilyn, whose career excelled in both comedic and dramatic roles, acted as a natural bridge between the playful Betty Grable and the serious Lauren Bacall. How to Marry a Millionaire became one of the most successful films of the year and one of the best in the filmography of all three actresses.
Marilyn and Lauren appeared to have very different public images: Marilyn was the explosive blonde and queen of comedy, while Bacall projected a serious and sophisticated image, the queen of film noir. However, in reality, they had much in common. Both were actresses capable of excelling in both drama and comedy, though with subtle differences: in drama, Lauren followed a classic, theatrical style, while Marilyn already demonstrated a method approach. In comedy, Marilyn was more exuberant and charismatic, whereas Bacall favored a more sarcastic and restrained humor, although she never reached Marilyn’s iconic level in the genre. Both shared liberals ideals and Democratic sympathies, though with differences in their visibility as activists. Bacall was more politically active, publicly supporting numerous Democratic candidates on various occasions and leading actions against McCarthyism as part of free speech committees, while Marilyn kept her positions mostly private, with very few public statements; the famous "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" was virtually her only visible political gesture. Still, both opposed McCarthyism, though in different ways: Bacall publicly and Marilyn more discreetly, timidly defending Arthur Miller. Professionally, both fought for independence from the studios, seeking control over their careers and the ability to choose their own roles. Additionally, in their personal lives, both were often attracted to men older than themselves, showing an interesting similarity in their romantic relationships. Despite their differences in style and public perception, Marilyn and Lauren shared values, professional ambition, and a strong character that made them similar beyond the screen.
Before working together on How to Marry a Millionaire, Marilyn and Lauren first met at an event organized by Look Magazine. On that occasion, Lauren presented an award to Marilyn, who publicly thanked her, saying, "Thank you, Lauren, and thank you to Look Magazine." This initial encounter allowed them to meet in a more relaxed and professional setting, before sharing the film set. Although a deep friendship did not develop, this first meeting established the basis for a cordial and respectful relationship between the two actresses, grounded in mutual admiration and recognition of each other’s careers.
The relationship between Marilyn and Lauren developed mainly during the filming of How to Marry a Millionaire. While they got along well, they did not form a deep friendship like Marilyn had with Jane Russell, and their relationship was even somewhat more distant than the one she had with Betty Grable. During filming, Lauren was occasionally frustrated by Marilyn’s delays, but she recognized there was no ill intent and described Marilyn as sweet and friendly. Marilyn, in turn, was curious about Lauren’s personal life, asking about her children and other aspects of her life. On one occasion, she even told Lauren that she wanted to spend time with Joe DiMaggio eating spaghetti. After filming, they met at the home of Nunnally Johnson, the screenwriter of the film, who invited them for lunch before the premiere, where Marilyn also met Humphrey Bogart. At the premiere, Marilyn felt like a true star, describing it as one of the best moments of her life. They continued to see each other at some events afterward, but a deep friendship never developed; nonetheless, they always respected and appreciated each other.
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