Back When? Marilyn Monroe - 1952 from criticism to opportunity

The potato sack story began in early 1952. Marilyn Monroe, then a rising 24-year-old star, attended a party at the Beverly Hills Hotel. She wore a bold, low-cut red dress that she loved. She once described it as “a strap less red silk taffeta covered in black French lace.” But not everyone appreciated her fashion choice. One female newspaper columnist harshly criticized Monroe’s outfit, calling it “cheap and vulgar.” The critic wrote that Marilyn “would look better in a potato sack.” Marilyn defended her choice in a July interview. “I’m truly sorry, but I love that dress,” she declared, refusing to apologize for her style. The Twentieth Century Fox PR team saw a golden opportunity in this criticism. Instead of ignoring the insult, they decided to take it literally. They planned to prove Marilyn could make even a potato sack look glamorous. Fox quickly organized a special photoshoot. She wore high heels, her radiant smile and a burlap sack with “Idaho Potatoes” printed on it for the stunt. These photos launched a media sensation. One of these images had the caption: “MM Marilyn MMMonroe doesn’t care too much for potatoes be cause it tends to put on weight, but she decided to do something for the potatoes!” The public loved the potato sack stunt. People found it endearing and funny. She trans formed criticism into a winning moment. The photoshoot even impressed farmers. According to Monroe, an Idaho potato farmer sent her a sack of real potatoes as a thank-you for the publicity. But Marilyn later joked that she never got to taste those potatoes. “There was a potato shortage then, and the boys in publicity stole them all. I never saw one.” she quipped. The potato sack photoshoot created a lasting cultural impact. It helped coin the popular saying that someone is so attractive they could “even look good in a potato sack.” Marilyn became the literal proof of this expression. Marilyn once said, “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” …or maybe even a potato sack!