AllMovie

While most fans of the legendary Marilyn Monroe know of her well-publicized marriages to baseball star Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller, considerably fewer people know anything about her first husband. In June of 1942, 16-year-old Norma Jean Baker wed James Dougherty, a 21-year-old who worked at an aircraft assembly plant and had been dating her for about a year. In 1946, their marriage would end in divorce, and a year later Norma Jean would land her first film role, adopting the stage name Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn's Man is a documentary in which James Dougherty offers his memories and perspectives on the women who was his bride for four years, as well as revealing his thoughts on the career pressures and the unfortunate lure of stardom that helped transform Marilyn into one of the most famous women in the world, but did little to make her happy or fulfilled. Dougherty also discusses his life after he parted ways with Norma Jean, including his career with the Los Angeles Police Department and his role in establishing the nation's first SWAT team. Marilyn's Man was the first feature film for writer and director Schani Krug.