In a recently declassified file, the FBI's surveillance of Marilyn Monroe's suspected connections to communism in 1956 comes to light. This classified document, one piece of a larger puzzle, reveals the agency's monitoring of the iconic actress during a tumultuous period in history.
The document, dated July 11, 1956, discloses an anonymous phone call made to the New York Daily News. The caller asserted that Marilyn Monroe Productions, the actress's company, was allegedly 'filled with communists,' with funds purportedly funneling into communist activities. The anonymous informant contended that Arthur Miller, Monroe's husband, was still affiliated with the Communist Party and portrayed him as their cultural front man.
This revelation adds a layer to the ongoing efforts by the Associated Press to push for the release of more FBI documents about Monroe, particularly during the 50th anniversary of her death. The FBI, despite having made some of its documents public, maintains that it has lost files on Monroe and cannot disclose them.
Monroe's file, initiated in 1955, primarily scrutinizes her travels, associations, and potential leftist views. The surveillance extends up to the months preceding her death in August 1962, encompassing her marriage to Arthur Miller. The FBI's interest in Monroe was fueled by her celebrity status and concerns about her potential recruitment by the Communist Party during J. Edgar Hoover's directorship.
While two significant government investigations have been conducted into Monroe's death, the records, including those compiled by the FBI, remain shrouded in secrecy. The 1982 Los Angeles District Attorney's inquiry, which delved into available investigative reports and FBI files, noted heavy censorship. Dr. Thomas Noguchi, who performed Monroe's autopsy, expressed in his 1983 memoir a belief that the complete release of FBI files, along with confidential interviews and notes from the suicide panel, could help dispel the lingering controversy surrounding Monroe's death.
The declassified document serves as a glimpse into a complex chapter in Monroe's life, providing insight into the FBI's scrutiny and suspicions during a pivotal moment in American history.
