Some like it hot — but not Connecticut churchgoers.
A 26-foot tall statue Marilyn Monroe statue recently installed in a Stamford, Conn. park is scandalizing locals — because the movie starlet’s derriere is pointed straight at a neighboring house of worship.
Artist Seward Johnson’s “Forever Marilyn” captures the moment from “The Seven Year Itch” where the actress holds down her white dress as air blows up from a subway grate.
In the film, only co-star Tom Ewell sees what’s under Monroe’s skirt, but in Johnson’s colossal interpretation her underwear-clad caboose is on full display to all viewers — especially to those visiting the nearby First Congregational Church.
“It’s disrespectful to the church,” churchgoer Pam Riley told The Stamford Advocate.
“Her skirt is up in the air and everyone’s under there looking up her skirt.”
Passerby Lorri Tamburro agreed, saying, “I looked at it and I think because of what I saw with all these little kids looking up, the height is ruining it. It’s ruining beautiful Marilyn.”
The church’s head holy man sees the funny side — but doesn’t love the statue.
“The issue is, why that statue? Marilyn Monroe was an artist deserving our respect. Why appropriate her image in this way? Is this the best we can do?” Rev. Dr. Todd Grant Yonkman asked. “Maybe the city would let us give her some pants?”
But the local business group sponsoring the exhibition defended the piece, arguing that there are plenty of naked statues near churches in Europe.
“It is art and we don’t believe it is offensive,” said Sandy Goldstein, president of the Stamford Downtown Special Services District. “We absolutely mean no disrespect to the church.”