Marilyn Monroe was, and perhaps will always be, Hollywood’s biggest female film icon and the sexiest of cinema's sex symbols, lighting up the screen in several cinema classics – including one of cinema’s greatest comedies, Some Like It Hot.\n\nThe aura surrounding her has been enhanced by a sense of mystery that comes from the fact she was very rarely interviewed. But anyone who knew or worked with her was guaranteed to be asked about their personal 'Marilyn moments'. \n\nHere we tell Marilyn's story through the insights and anecdotes of friends, directors and fellow actors who spoke about her over the years on a selection of BBC programmes. With archive interviews featuring stars like Jane Russell, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, as well as directors like Billy Wilder and John Huston, and Marilyn's former husband Arthur Miller, these conversations paint a picture of a star who conquered Hollywood despite serious battles with her inner demons, and reveal what it was like for those who got to enter into the orbit of one of cinema's greatest stars.
Source: BBC 2
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was, and perhaps will always be, Hollywood’s biggest female film icon and the sexiest of cinema's sex symbols, lighting up the screen in several cinema clas ...
28-05-2026
BBC 2
Glenda Jackson
Celia Imrie tells the story of Glenda Jackson, one of Britain’s greatest-ever acting talents and a double Oscar winner, who famously turned her back on her hugely successf ...
07-05-2026
BBC 2
Series 2: 4. Albert Finney
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by award-winning actor Albert Finney, with interviews from the archive and classic clips capturing the milesto ...
02-05-2026
BBC 2
Bonnie And Clyde
Celia Imrie tells the story behind one of the most groundbreaking and influential films of the sixties, 1967's Bonnie and Clyde. Directed by Arthur Penn and produced by lead act ...
19-02-2026
BBC 2
34. Sean Connery
A look at the life of Sean Connery, using rarely seen television interviews and classic archive clips to tell the story of his life and career. Narrated by Sylvia Syms.
05-02-2026
BBC 2
33. Michael Caine
A look at the life of acting legend Michael Caine, using rarely seen television interviews and classic archive clips to tell the story of one Britain's most successful actors. N ...
04-01-2026
BBC 2
Jaws
Celia Imrie dives into the BBC’s archives to tell the behind-the-scenes story of Steven Spielberg’s classic aquatic horror, Jaws.\n\nIt had arrived in cinemas with t ...
31-12-2025
BBC 2
Bette Davis
A look back at television appearances made over the years by Hollywood legend Bette Davis, capturing the milestones of her life and career. Narrated by Sylvia Syms.
03-08-2025
BBC 2
Spartacus
Celia Imrie tells the story of the 1960 epic Spartacus, starring Kirk Douglas, revealing how the film, which was then the most expensive of all time, made it onto the big screen ...
07-06-2025
BBC 2
Epics
Sylvia Syms looks through the BBC archive to discover what makes an epic. The programme looks at the history of epics, which featured lavish budgets and huge sets, from the Ten ...
06-02-2021
BBC 2
Laurence Olivier
Sylvia Syms looks back on the life of Laurence Olivier, perhaps Britain's greatest actor, using rare material from the BBC archives to tell the story of his distinguished career.
09-03-2024
BBC 2
Dustin Hoffman
When Dustin Hoffman first told his family he wanted to act, the response was: 'You can’t, you’re not good-looking enough.' Despite that initial response, Hoffman wen ...
31-07-2025
BBC 2
Series 2: 1. Jack Lemmon
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Some Like It Hot and Days of Wine and Roses star Jack Lemmon, with interviews from the archive and classic ...
06-02-2025
BBC 2
Paul Newman
An examination of the life of actor Paul Newman, using rarely seen interviews from the BBC archives to tell the story of a career that made him one of Hollywood's greatest stars.
23-01-2025
BBC 2
Robert Mitchum
The life and career of Robert Mitchum is examined using footage of his appearances on the BBC, illustrating why he was a favourite of film fans and an interviewer's nightmare.
14-12-2021
BBC 2