Why was Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grate?

Marilyn Monroe's iconic scene in "The Seven Year Itch" where she stands over a subway grate is actually a misconception! It was not a real subway grate.

Here's why:

* Safety concerns: Filming on an actual subway grate with the train running below would have been incredibly dangerous.

* Control over the wind: To create the dramatic effect of the wind blowing up her skirt, the filmmakers used a powerful fan placed strategically below the simulated grate on set.

* The scene's purpose: This scene was meant to be a humorous moment of accidental sensuality and a commentary on the stifling societal expectations of women at the time. The wind blowing up her skirt was a symbol of her rebellion against those norms.

So, while the image has become synonymous with Marilyn Monroe and the allure of the city, it was all staged for the film and not a real-life event.