By Stig Editor 70 Years Ago, The Seven Year Itch Crowned Marilyn Monroe a Hollywood Goddess—Here’s How It Happened
Seventy years ago, in the summer of 1955, a film released with a playful title and a daring premise forever sealed Marilyn Monroe’s place in cinematic history. The Seven Year Itch, directed by Billy Wilder, wasn’t just a romantic comedy it was the moment Monroe transcended star status and became a full-blown Hollywood icon.
Though Monroe had already captivated audiences with earlier roles in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) and How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), it was The Seven Year Itch that elevated her into a different stratosphere. The film’s now-legendary scene Monroe standing over a subway grate, white dress billowing as a train rushes below became one of the most indelible images in pop culture, both scandalous and spellbinding.
At the time, the film pushed boundaries. Adapted from George Axelrod’s Broadway play, the movie explored the sexual frustration of a married man left alone for the summer, tempted by his stunning upstairs neighbor played, of course, by Monroe. The Motion Picture Production Code wouldn’t allow overt depictions of infidelity, so the film leaned into wit, innuendo, and Monroe’s natural allure to deliver its message. That subtle seduction proved more powerful than anything explicit.
But Monroe’s performance was more than just sex appeal. Her comedic timing, vulnerability, and ability to satirize her own bombshell persona added unexpected layers to a seemingly light character. She was in full command of the screen, playing the object of desire while also winking knowingly at the audience.
Behind the scenes, Monroe’s life was complex. She was newly married to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio during filming, and the infamous subway scene shot on location in New York reportedly sparked jealousy and led to public tension between the couple. That off-screen drama only fueled Monroe’s mythos, blurring the lines between the roles she played and the life she lived.
When The Seven Year Itch hit theaters on June 3, 1955, it was a box office hit. But more importantly, it marked the moment Marilyn Monroe stopped being just a rising star and became a cultural goddess an icon whose image, voice, and magnetism would echo through decades of film, fashion, and fantasy.
Seventy years later, we’re still talking about her. That windblown dress, that coy smile, that undeniable spark The Seven Year Itch wasn’t just a movie. It was Marilyn Monroe’s coronation.