Summer Under the Stars: Natalie Wood
Star of the Day: Natalie Wood
Penelope (1966) - A neglected wife turns to bank robbery to get her husband's attention.
I think Natalie Wood holds a fascinating position in the history of Hollywood: talented child actress who successfully transitioned into a talented adult actress, who appeared in some of the best movies in the '60s, and whose untimely death under suspicious circumstances have vaulted her into mythical status. I watched the HBO documentary Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind earlier this week and found it very interesting. Once the Classic Film Reading Challenge is over, I'd like to find a biography of hers to read as well.
I've always been interested in her life story, but I've only really just begun to delve into her filmography beyond the requisites like West Side Story, Splendour in the Grass and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, and I'm enjoying what I see in these roles.
I chose Penelope for my new-to-me movie, and though it wasn't well-received critically, and she apparently hated filming it, I quite enjoyed the story. The end did drag though. I also watched This Property is Condemned and enjoyed the seriousness of the role (Dave Karger said she took the part because it was the closest she felt she'd ever get to playing Blanche Dubois) and how well she handled the material. I caught the tail-end of Inside Daisy Clover (which I've seen before) and now I have 'The Circus is a Wacky World...How I Love It!' in my head.
I also DVR'd Love With the Proper Stranger, Gypsy, The Great Race, and Brainstorm (her final film, released posthumously).
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