Monroe sought help from Brando

Marlyn Monroe tried to prevent herself from spiralling into the depression which eventually led to her suicide by seeking help from acting contemporary Marlon Brando, according to recently unearthed letters.

Monroe had planned to establish a production company to protect her from the "quicksand I have always been in" and had attracted interest from the actor, according to letters written to Brando and her acting teacher Lee Strasberg in 1961.