Bernard was the exclusive photographer of this innovative and world famous strip-tease artist throughout her controversial career. This association led to court battles defending both of their artistic expression. Marilyn Monroe was impressed by Bernard's photographs of Lili St.Cyr and asked him to accompany her to Ciro's to see St.Cyr perform on stage before her audition for a role in Ladies of the Chorus; in which she was to play the daughter of a former burlesque queen who followed in her mother's footsteps. Bernard wrote in his journal ...Marilyn's mimicry of Lili combined with her ingenious vulnerability paid off. She's landed the role in 'Ladies of the Chorus' her first part of any length, and a stock contract at Columbia to boot...