Marilyn at 80: some still like it hot: a series of unique photo exhibitions of America's former--but still foremost--sex symbol could help save a historic California theatre built during the Roaring Twenties, with a storied past of performing arts, vaudeville, and motion picture presentations.

• Author: Bailey, Bill
• Position: Marilyn Monroe's photographs exhibited at Balboa Theatre Foundation

JUNE 1 WOULD HAVE BEEN Marilyn Monroe's 80th birthday. From her classically funny film "Some Like It Hot" to her racy barely-there stills, the iconic cherry-lipped platinum blonde's life always has been told through the lens of a camera. At long last, her countless fans in pursuit of a piece of her photographic history have a rare opportunity to see and be seen, and take home a piece of her legend. The Balboa Theatre Foundation in San Diego has been granted sole access to the Edward Weston Collection of Monroe photographs to be exhibited and auctioned off online and in a series of events called "Marilyn At 80: Some Still Like It Hot."

Buried under scaffolding and protective plywood hides the illustrious Balboa Theatre, now fused with one of San Diego's downtown shopping centers. Behind this ruckus lays the beginning of a multi-million dollar renovation project to rebirth the historic theatre into its original 1924 allure.

After a thriving history of performing arts, vaudeville, and motion picture presentations, in 1959, the the-domed Balboa Theatre was to be turned into a parking lot. However, the theatre thankfully was purchased at the last minute by its competitor--and survived. From then on, it became a "B" movie house, although, unlike most of its neighbors, it never screened X-rated films. The building was condemned in 1986 and has been dark ever since. Some of the older local San Diegans recall the theatre in its 1920s glory, with its majestic Morton Organ, flawless acoustics, fully functional waterfalls on both sides of the stage, and repertoire of vaudeville and Latin showcases.

How does Marilyn Monroe fit into the equation? You need to ask Esther-Jane Paul, former Trustee of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and co-chair of the Balboa Theatre Foundation's Marilyn project. "Marilyn is the key to raising enough funds to finish the installation of the original 1928 Wonder Morton Organ, by reminding people of film's powerful legacy at the Balboa Theatre," explains Paul. "The organ is one of only five of these precious instruments ever constructed and ours is the last in the world that is completely original."

Initially, Wonder Morton Organs were built at a factory in Van Nuys, Calif., and then were supposed to be housed in Loew's "Wonder Theatres" throughout New York City's five boroughs. "In a sense, we are bringing this organ back home to California," notes Paul. Once complete in late 2007, the Balboa Theatre will...