MovieChat Forums > Inside Daisy Clover (1966) Discussion > Natalie's films from the sixties

Natalie's films from the sixties

posted 14 years ago by jrangers19
21 replies | jump to latest

although Natalie Wood was an iridescent screen presence, I find that the majority of her movies from the sixties just don't stand the test of time. Maybe it was just the sensibility of the decade, because while so many classic films from the thirties, forties and fifties still hold up today, many of the movies made in the sixties are painfully dated. I found Wood to be extremely irritating in this film, just as I thought her performances in "Sex and the Single Girl," "This Property Condemned," and "Penelope" were painful to watch.

[–] haristas 14 years ago

I think she agreed with you -- she was so depressed with her career, among other things, that she tried to kill herself in late 1966.

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[–] Crowsley 14 years ago

She did not take time off because she was depressed. She took time off to get to know herself better and later on, to be with her kids. She did not turn down Barefoot in the Park. It was offered to her, she wanted $750,000 plus 10%. Jane Fonda asked for $250,000. Fonda got the role. At that point in her life she met Richard Gregson and devoted her time to him as well as to her emotional well being. She turned down Inferno because she hated the script. She called the Dunaway role, "boring and insipid".

She was as successful as anyone could hope to be. I guess it depends upon one's definition of success. Being a mother, being with her children, was more important to her than making movies.

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[–] Crowsley 14 years ago

My knowledge does not come from Finstad's book, dear. You keep saying that Natalie turned down Barefoot in the Park. She did not turn it down. She wanted more money than Fonda was asking for. So, yes, you apparently did not know that because you keep stating otherwise.

I see that you added "and 5 TV movies" LOL

Do you actually believe that Natalie was the only actress up for those "career making roles"? Her name was one of the many names that were mentioned. Some of the roles that you mention never even got to the offer stage.

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[–] Crowsley 14 years ago

Of course there were other actresses up for the roles that Natalie was considered for.

I recall that Ray stark had a script that was re-written for Natalie, she was
thisclose to making that film but Stark changed his mind, he dropped out of the film due to issues with the studio, she followed. There is another film that she wanted to do at that time but she did not want to work with the assigned director so she rejected the role. That film was never made.

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[–] Crowsley 14 years ago

That's what I heard. She publicly announced that she was going to do "A Mirror Cracked". To Natalie the most important aspect of a film was the director.

Yes, Stark and the studio wanted Liz and Burton to do Property. I recall that he did not want Sidney Pollack to direct but Natalie won that battle.

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[–] Crowsley 14 years ago

Natalie announced on national television that she intended to make that film. She was enthusiastic about doing Agatha Christie and to work with Angela Lansbury. Later on, there was talk of issues with the assigned director.

Lana said a few things in her book that were BS. She wrote that book because she did not inherit MONEY. If Natalie left her a cool million, Lana would not have written that book or she would have waited and done so without the sour grapes that the book reeked of.

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[–] Crowsley 14 years ago

I agree.

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[–] psegatto 13 years ago

I found her irritating in this movie as well, which is a shame as I really liked the movie. Her overacting was difficult to watch and it was such a contrast to the excellent performances of Redford and Plummer.

[–] Paris55 11 years ago

ITA with you. I saw this movie for the first time in 10 years last night on TCM. I was curious on what TCM Host Robert Osborne had to say about it and to look at it from beginning to end. Now that I am older, 'Inside Daisey Clover' was pure camp and Wood's performance is like many of her other pictures - she does not speak when you are waiting for her to say something...although that could have been the screenplay. I liked Natalie Wood, and I wanted to like her films, but I get annoyed at her acting. She was a very good child actress but as a teenager and adult, her acting seemed forced. The only movie I liked with Natalie as an adult is 'GYPSY'. I also agree that Redford and Plummer were good. Plummer, especially since in the same year, 1965, he was starring in 'The Sound of Music' which probably overshadowed most of the films that year.

[–] rickolsonnyc 8 years ago

Paris55...I just finished reading a new BFI critique of Wood's career and it points out that Natalie recorded over 35 voice overs for this role. They were intended to explain her character( in her own voice) during those scenes in which Daisy now appears silent and oblivious to what is going on around her. The film was originally 2hrs and 25mins long, but was drastically cut before release despite very favorable responses from preview audiences. All but one of Wood's voice overs were cut as well. Only the initial voice over, prior to the credits, was retained. Between the cut scenes and removed voice over dialogue, the film often seems choppy and incoherent. The initial directors cut is remembered as wonderful by the lucky few who saw it.

[–] Paris55 8 years ago

Thanks for the info Rickolsonnyc. I never knew about the voice overs being cut. That explains everything.

[–] mamacassfan 8 years ago

Love:
This Property Is Condemned
Gypsy
Splendor in the Grass

Very much like:
West Side Story
Love With the Proper Stranger

Somewhat like:
Sex and the Single Girl
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

Do not like:
The Great Race
Penelope

Hate, Despise this film:
Inside Daisy Clover

(Have not seen: All the Fine Young Cannibals)

[–] brefane 7 years ago

B&C&T&A is her best comedic performance and is as good as anything she's ever done. She looks great, seems relaxed and her performance is unforced. Along with Splendor in the Grass it's her best 60s film.