New photo exhibit reveals Marilyn Monroe...

New photo exhibit reveals Marilyn Monroe...

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One of Lawrence Schiller's favorite shots is this one of Marilyn Monroe, while acting coach Paula Strasberg brings her a snack.

Lawrence Schiller has photographed Bette Davis, Anna Magnani and countless other legendary screen sirens but to this day, he says his camera loved no one better than Marilyn Monroe.

I photographed some women who were extraordinary but nobody that could turn it on like a light switch as Marilyn did, says Schiller, who catured Monroe in some of her most iconic shots.

All you had to do was absorb and preserve what Marilyn was doing, and you had great images.

Schiller first met Monroe on the set of Lets Make Love in 1960. He was 23 and she was 10 years older.

I told her, Youre already famous. Now youre going to make me famous! says Schiller, now 75.

And she shot right back, Dont be so cocky. Photographers can easily be replaced.

Schiller continued working with Monroe until her untimely death in August 1962 and is marking the 50th anniversary of her passing by opening up his archives.

More than 50 of his photographs of Monroe, many never-before-seen, go on public display Thursday.

The Marilyn & Me exhibit at the Steven Kasher Gallery includes a series of poolside nudes from the set of Somethings Got to Give, the film Monroe got cut from two months before she was found dead.

The exhibit is not just a bunch of pretty pictures of her, says Schiller, who will be signing copies of his new book, also called Marilyn & Me, at the gallery on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

It is the story of the last four months of her life ... of a tragedy about to happen.

The stunning photographs and original proof sheets on display many with Monroes own notes and rejections scrawled on them reveal more than her amazing figure and megawatt smile.

Schiller captures Monroe blowing out her 36th birthday candles and reclining, while her acting coach and confidante Paula Strasberg brings her a snack.

The picture of her on the couch with Paula Strasberg is one of my favorites, says Schiller, because it really gives you the feeling of this Svengali, this woman that was really in total control of Marilyn, from a dramatic point of view. Marilyn never looked at a director; she always looked at Paula Strasberg.

He also favors a titillating portrait of Monroe naked in the swimming pool on the set of Somethings Got to Give, where she coyly lifts one leg out of the water.

That is a picture that says everything and shows nothing, says Schiller. Thats real Marilyn Monroe teasing you, yet there is still a little mystery left. She knows exactly what shes doing in that frame!

He credits his youth and chutzpah for getting intimate access to the star every man wanted and who every woman wanted to be.

I dont think Im the only one she communicated to. I think she tried to communicate to many people, he says. I was so unguarded that she became unguarded with me.

Schiller, who has 11 books, seven Emmys and an Oscar for documentary making under his belt, says hell always remember Monroe fondly.

If Marilyn was alive now ... I would say, very simply, thank you, says Schiller. She was the first one that made my name known in the industry. She knew what she was doing.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Marilyn & Me runs until June 30 at the Steven Kasher Gallery, 521 W. 23rd St., at 10th Ave. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (212) 966-3978 or stevenkasher.com.