From Norma Jeane to Marilyn: Part II

With Mama

Norma Jeane's time with the Bolender family came to an end in 1933, when Gladys found her daughter in a state of hysteria after the neighbor savagely murdered her puppy. Gladys saved enough money to purchase a small home near the Hollywood Bowl at 6012 Afton Place. They rented out the lower rooms to a British couple, actors George and Maude Atkinson to help make ends meet. After all, it was close to Gladys work, and she was feeling well enough to be a mom. This would be the start of the push-pull relationship Marilyn had with anyone brave enough to get close to her.

Gladys and Norma Jeane, about 1933

Norma Jeane was happy to live with her mother for the first time ever. Since her mother was working, she had time to herself. She was able to indulge in the fantasy play that Ida would never allow. She was even allowed to go to the movies and try on the handprints of the world's most famous people at the Chinese Theater which thrilled the child, even if her own hands and feet were nearly too big to fit any of them. Then, when the night came, she would be safe at home with Mama, or cared for by the Atkinson's or maybe even by "Aunt" Grace McKee, Gladys' best friend. Gladys would dote upon her girl. She purchased a Baby Grand Piano to Norma Jeane's delight. This is when Norma Jeane would begin entertaining the idea of being a star. And the twinkling was encouraged.

Gladys' Afton Place home was torn down to make room for a parking lot for the Hollywood Bowl.

The happiness was fleeting. In 1934, Gladys would lose her job, learn of her grandfather's suicide, and the mental illness that plagued her would return with such a magnitude, the Atkinson's were forced to call an ambulance and have her committed. Gladys was bounced around from hospital to hospital until she was declared incurable. Paranoid Schizophrenia. She was sent to Norwalk State Hospital, to roam the cold halls where her own mother had died only a few short years prior. This was Gladys' greatest fear realized. Her mother was insane. Her father was insane. Her grand father was insane. She was now insane. This fear of being insane was passed down to Norma Jeane and gnawed at her for her entire life.

 Norma Jeane as a school girl

At first, Norma Jeane stayed with the Atkinson's. But this was just temporary. Her more permanent home would be with her "Aunt" Grace.  Aunt Grace absolutely kindled Norma Jeane's love of the movies and of acting, and would even accompany her to movies. She adored Norma Jeane, and it appears she had discussed the likelihood of Stan Gifford being her father, as evident in letters Marilyn would later write. Grace became her legal guardian in 1935.

Aunt Grace on the left, Gladys on the right.

Still, Aunt Grace and Norma Jean would bounce around from a friend's home in Hollywood, to Grace's mother's house in another part of Los Angeles. Then, on August 10, 1935, Grace married Ervin "Doc" Goddard. They made their home at 6707 Odessa Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91406.

6707 Odessa Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Grace and Doc. While married to her first husband, Norma Jeane writes to Grace "How can I get in touch with Stanley Gifford? Through Consolidated Films? Or something like that. Which dept.?..."

Norma Jeane enjoyed her life in Van Nuys. For a while, things were almost normal. Grace wanted only the best for this little one. Her mother, Gladys, even came for visits. But, the only constant in Norma Jean's young life was constant change. She would quickly learn what it means to be replaced, and just how easily it could be done.