Marilyn Monroe's biggest fan shares his private collection of Monroe's gowns, personal belongings

 Greg Schreiner at Marilyn's gravesite. (Courtesy of G. Schreiner)

"I knew I belonged to the public and to the world, not because I was talented or even beautiful, but because I had never belonged to anything or anyone else."

---Marilyn Monroe

Saying Greg Schreiner is a big fan of Marilyn Monroe is like saying the Titanic was just a canoe.

For the past 30 years, Schreiner has amassed what is quite possibly one of the world’s largest private collections of Marilyn Monroe screen-worn and publicity gowns, furniture from her final home and other personal property, including film scripts, autographs, original costume sketches and various correspondence.

He’s also the President and co-founder of the world’s longest running and best known Marilyn Monroe fan club, Marilyn Remembered, as well as the creator, narrator, producer and pianist of Hollywood Revisited, (a cabaret style extravaganza that showcases a dazzling lineup from Schreiner's 350 costumes worn by some of the biggest Hollywood stars, including Judy Garland and Bette Davis).

Greg Schreiner was only a child when he first saw Marilyn Monroe on the big screen. At the age of ten, his parents took him to see Some Like It Hot at the local drive-in and his lifelong love affair with the screen legend began.

“I was completely enchanted by Marilyn,” said Schreiner. “I really fell in love with (her) because of her great beauty and the incredible warmth she generated from the silver screen. She positively glowed.”

After moving from a small farming community in Illinois to Los Angeles in 1979, Schreiner attended an auction featuring personal items of Monroe’s.

“I remember going to (this) first auction and coming home with a red dress that Marilyn wore (to promote her film, Monkey Business) on many occasions. It cost me almost my whole savings account, but I was in seventh heaven.”

When Schreiner finally received that first Marilyn dress, he felt a mix of emotions: “I felt elation, excitement, but there was also a bittersweet quality. I knew that this was as close as I could get to her, that I’d never get to meet Marilyn (in person).”

That initial auction sparked a devoted passion in Schreiner—he continued to attend auctions featuring Monroe’s personal items and his Marilyn collection grew enormously.

“I now own 10 of her gowns, her fur coat, much of her furniture from her last home (in Brentwood) and many documents and other items owned by her.”

(After a friend’s suggestion to share his collection with the world, Schreiner created a website showcasing his extensive Monroe collectibles at www.themarilynmonroesite.com.)

Schreiner’s devotion to Monroe didn’t stop at collecting her dresses and other personal effects. In 1982, Schreiner co-founded the world’s longest running Monroe fan club, Marilyn Remembered, with three other fans, all of whom met while paying their respects to Monroe at her final resting place in Westwood Memorial Park.

“As no official memorial service had been held for Marilyn since 1962, (we) founded Marilyn Remembered with the mission to preserve the memory of Marilyn Monroe with dignity, respect and love,” said Schreiner.

“Since its inception, Marilyn Remembered has expanded into a large gathering of fans who meet to hear guest speakers who worked with or knew Marilyn, view Monroe-related video footage and to socialize.

"Over the years, the club has had the good fortune to meet some of Marilyn’s co-stars, photographers, stand-ins, friends, colleagues and even family members. In addition to the yearly memorial service, other highlights include a June birthday celebration and an annual holiday party, as well as other Marilyn-related excursions."

Monroe has deeply impacted Schreiner's life, bringing incredible friends and opportunities to his life that may not have happened otherwise.

"Marilyn has been a large part of my life since childhood and my home is covered with Marilyn photos in every room. Her presence seems to infuse my life and I have always felt that somehow she's influenced many of my choices I have made. I have been lucky to have met many people who knew Marilyn and I am lucky to call a great deal of them my friends.

"As president of Marilyn Remembered, many opportunities came my way to purchase even more items (for my collection). And depending on my budget, I purchased as many as I could afford. Marilyn became my savings account and retirement fund."

It's Schreiner's generosity of spirit in sharing his priceless collection of Monroe's belongings with the world that makes him an exceptional Marilyn fan. He generously allows his collection of Monroe's gowns and personal effects to exhibit around the country, including foreign exhibits in Japan and Canada--all so Marilyn's fans around the world can enjoy such once-in-a-lifetime memories.

When asked if he could tell Marilyn Monroe one thing right now, Schreiner responded: "I guess I would want her to know how special she has been in my life and how much she has meant to me and to countless other fans around the world."

Marilyn once said that she never belonged to anything or anyone else, but fans like Greg Schreiner prove that she did belong--and still does--to each person who has ever loved her and opened their hearts to her eternal legacy.

(To see Greg Schreiner's full collection of Marilyn Monroe's gowns and belongings, please click on "The Marilyn Monroe Site" link below.)

For more info: The Marilyn Monroe Site, Marilyn Remembered, Hollywood Revisited.