Monroe footage sold in Australia

Amateur film footage of Marilyn Monroe on the set of the 1959 movie Some Like It Hot has been sold for A$17,500 (£8,000) at an auction in Australia.

The two-and-a-half minute film was taken by a US naval officer whom Monroe invited to visit the movie set.

Charles Leski, of Leski Auctions, said: "Monroe memorabilia is always in demand, but rarely do we get one-off material like this."

The footage features Monroe, co-star Tony Curtis and director Billy Wilder.

Private collector

"It is also extremely rare for such important archival footage to be auctioned outside of the US before its domestic release, and for that we are extremely proud," Mr Leski added.

Still in its original Kodak box, the 8mm colour film was passed on to the officer's daughter who now lives in Melbourne, Australia.

The footage was bought by an unnamed private collector.

It had been expected to fetch between A$20,000 (£9,044) and A$30,000 (£13,564), according to the auction house.

The film shows Monroe surrounded by sailors on a visit to the naval base in San Diego, California.

It also features footage of Monroe on the set with Jack Lemmon and Curtis.

Earlier this year, an amateur film of Monroe and Clark Gable on the set of the 1961 film The Misfits sold in the US for $60,000 (£32,351).

Monroe died in August 1962 at the age of 36, after an overdose of pills.