Abby Hannah Kacee analyses in depth the most famous poses struck by Marilyn during filming of the ‘subway scene’ in The Seven Year Itch, photographed by Sam Shaw.
“Monroe is directly in the middle of the shot, looking at the lens head-on. She is smiling and looking seductively at the camera. Little else can be seen in the image other than Monroe. The viewer’s eye is drawn immediately to Monroe’s face and expression, then is meant to continue looking down to her feet. Her right hand is pushing down the front of her dress, as if she is trying to be modest, but with the wind from the subway beneath her, there is too much dress for her to counteract the wind.
The dress itself has also become iconic focus of the photograph. The ivory, angelic, flowing dress was chosen purposefully for this movie and for Monroe. The dress easily catches in the wind and flies up, revealing Monroe’s long, beautiful legs. However, while she attempts to hold it down, the dress gives the viewer the sense that Marilyn has wings, like a butterfly or angel.”
