Dressed-down in a simple white shirt and with her hair plaited in pig tails, Marilyn Monroe looks a far cry from the iconic star synonymous with old Hollywood glamour.

In newly released images, the actress sports a sombre expression but appears relaxed as she is snapped on set of 1961 movie The Misfits - her last ever completed film.

The shots also show a fresh-faced Marilyn caught off-guard wrapped in a towel, reading the script between takes and standing at her trailer door sipping coffee as she chats to co-star Montgomery Clift.

Candid portrait: A sombre-faced Marilyn Monroe, appears a far cry from Hollywood glamour as she is shot on set of The Misfits in Nevada in 1960, in a series of intimate images captured by photo-journalist Eve Arnold

The images form part of a series of eight intimate portraits entitled Marilyn, taken by America photo-journalist Eve Arnold, that went on display in galleries nationwide on Saturday.

Only 495 prints of the pictures will go on sale, with prices starting at £350.

Arnold, still going strong at 98, said: 'She was going places but she hadn't arrived.

Some like it hot: A sexier Marilyn as she is better known, pictured in 1955 in New York, in a leopard print dress

'She liked my pictures and was canny enough to realise that they were a fresh approach for presenting her - a looser, more intimate look than the posed studio portraits she was used to in Hollywood.

'It became a bond between us… Marilyn was very important in my career. I think I was helpful in hers too.'

The exhibition comes as a film charting the life of the sex symbol, who committed suicide 50 years ago, is currently being made.

At ease: A relaxed and happy Marilyn, dressed down in denim, reads the script on set of her last completed film

It will be based on the novel by Andrew O'Hagan, The Life And Opinions Of Maf The Dog, And Of His Friend Marilyn Monroe, and tells the story of Marilyn's final two years before her death in 1962 through the eyes of her pet Maltese terrier Maf - a gift from My Way singer Sinatra in 1960.

Monroe was allegedly to be played by Salt star Angelina Jolie, but the actress has now denied reports.

Off-guard: The images are on display in galleries nationwide and 495 prints are for sale from £350

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926, Marilyn starred in 30 films before her death in 1962.

The Misfits, written by her ex-husband Arthur Miller, was directed by John Huston and also starred Clark Gable.

It tells the story of a depressed divorcee's chance encounter with an ageing cowboy.

Coffee break: The actress stops at the door of her trailer to have a chat with co-star Montgomery Clift

- Dailymail

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Angelina Jolie is to star as Marilyn Monroe in a new film about the Hollywood bombshell, it has been revealed.

The 35-year-old actress is set to play Monroe in an adaptation of Andrew O'Hagan's The Life And Opinions Of Maf The Dog, And Of His Friend Marilyn Monroe, the author revealed at the Edinburgh Book Festival yesterday.

And George Clooney has been lined up to play Monroe's close friend Frank Sinatra, O'Hagan confirmed, adding that production on the film would begin soon.

Blonde bombshell: Angelina Jolie, seen left in film Life Or Something Like It (2002) is set to play Marilyn Monroe in a new film about the last two years of her life

While Scarlett Johansson and Christina Hendricks had previously been in line for the role, it was eventually decided Jolie would be the best choice to play Monroe in the new film.

O'Hagan's novel tells the story of Monroe's final two years before her death in 1962 through the eyes of her pet Maltese terrier Maf - a gift from My Way singer Sinatra in 1960.

As well as meeting Monroe's friends including former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Maf also accompanied the star to acting classes and restaurants.

Beloved pet: Monroe pictured with Maltese terrier Maf in 1961

When she received the dog from Sinatra, Monroe decided to call it Mafia - a joke reference to Sinatra, before shortening the name to Maf, or Maf Honey.

In the book, written entirely from Maf's perspective, the canine comments: 'She was an artist to her fingertips... a strange and unhappy creature, but at the same she had more comedy to her than anybody I would ever know. More comedy and more art.'

When Monroe died in August 1962 aged 36, Maf was inherited by Sinatra's secretary Gloria Lovell.

It has not yet been revealed who will be voicing Maf in the movie.

Ol' Blue Eyes: George Clooney will play Frank Sinatra in the adaptation of Andrew O'Hagan's The Life And Opinions Of Maf The Dog, And Of His Friend Marilyn Monroe

Jolie is currently in London promoting new movie Salt, in which she stars as CIA agent Evelyn Salt, and will appear at the premiere in Leicester Square tonight.

Speaking about the possibility of starring in a sequel of the film, which has already proved a box office hit in America, Jolie said: 'I'd love to do a sequel. You never know if you're going to get the chance, if audiences are going to love it.

'But particularly with this character, I think there is so much yet to explore in her life with her - with her family, with coming to terms with who she is in the end, because of the way it's set up, she could be anybody.

'As an actress, and somebody who loves to travel, it would be nice to be able to explore the world with her.'

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