This Week in Ships, Tits 'n' Glitz

Where have all the icons gone? With today's constant influx of reality shows churning out five-minute-celebs faster than Warhol's factory and unmemorable films casting forgettable nymphets constantly bombarding the theater, it's a rare occurrence to witness an actual star, angelic and captivating under the harsh set lights. Marilyn Monroe was and still is a style muse to the sex-pot bombshell set (starlets Scarlett Johansson and Lindsay Lohan have been especially into the Monroe regurgitation) and lust object for boys in their 50s who are still dreamy-eyed over the gal. Monroe effortlessly bridged the gap between naiveté and sexuality—she was the ultimate pre-Madonna virgin/whore symbol.

Since November, the Queen Mary has housed an exhibit highlighting Monroe's life from her childhood days in Hollygrove straight through her love affair with all-American DiMaggio. More than 350 objects are on display for the true Marilyn-phile to ogle. Items such as her lipstick, opera glasses (didn't know she was a fan?), curlers with strands of her actual hair still attached and a bunch of other pseudo-creepy ephemera will serve to show the more human side of Monroe. The website explains the goal "was to create an exhibition that tells the story of Marilyn Monroe that will reveal the impact of her as a legendary movie star, pop star, celebrity and international icon." Legendary movie star seems like a bit of a stretch as far as raw talent goes, but beauty always reigns supreme in matters of the screen, and I don't think our society will ever tire of watching Marilyn bat her doe-like lashes and ask in her girl-whisper that you love her for more than face value.

"MARILYN MONROE: THE EXHIBIT" ONBOARD THE QUEEN MARY, 1126 QUEENS HWY., LONG BEACH, (562) 435-3511; WWW.QUEENMARY.COM/MARILYN.PHP. OPEN MON.-FRI., NOON-6 P.M.; SAT.-SUN., 10 A.M.-6 P.M. THROUGH FEB. 18. $22.95.