Claim: Marilyn Monroe acted.

The Seven Year Itch is a 1955 American romantic comedy film based on a three-act play with the same name by George Axelrod . The film was co-written and directed by Billy Wilder , and stars Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell , reprising his Broadway role from the play . It contains one of the most iconic images of the 20th century -- Monroe standing on a subway grate as her white dress is blown upwards by a passing train . The titular phrase , which refers to declining interest in a monogamous relationship after seven years of marriage , has been used by psychologists .