Natalie Wood Movies & a Tribute

I remember exactly where I was when I heard that goddess Natalie Wood had drown near Santa Catalina Island, California. I was at my mothers, in her room where we were all sitting around watching TV. It was stunning to hear of such a loss. Why? I kept asking and still do. I could not believe that it was called an accidental drowning, this woman who was afraid of the water, no it made no sense. Now the case has been re-opened.. FINALLY!

This lens is more about the movies she made though, and I guess how they affected me personally, because oh my they did. Natalie Wood represented so many things to me as a young girl trying to discover who I was. She answered some of those questions of insecurities within a time where a girl would be labeled as bad for barely nothing at all, only being normal.

I went to see West Side Story FIVE times. I guess I loved it. I saw Splendor in the Grass as many times as well. Both of those movies require a "full" box of Kleenex.

Some of her other movies were notable too of course, Miracle on 34th Street, From Here to Eternity, Rebel Without a Cause, Gypsy, Love with the Proper Stranger, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, the list goes on.

Natalie Wood was a STAR.

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Remembering Natalie Wood I post this poem of mine

I Will Measure Happiness With My Eyes Closed

Maybe we can just stop

pretend

dear fairies

and start all over again.

And I won't ask you

if it's OK.

I won't ask anyone at all.

I will step out into that outside world

and hold a victory march

past all my false starts.

Camille and Lily

sacred souls

will meet me

there

and let me mend

my stolen heart.

Yet

I must admit it

in the end

that fantasy and pretend

cannot outlive the wounded lark.

Only wilting flowers

would understand that poem.

A poem considered

one who would close up

not bloom

and visit no one

go no where at all

like words gathered

resembling leaves in the fall.

If you see that sparrow

Remind her I am still waiting

and tell her to find me.

A feather in the skyline

tell her too

to send me her poems

when she feels empty.

I contemplate

those who still measure happy

wondering

if there is some kind of code

or justified routine

that meets that channel.

Maybe happiness is over rated.

Darkness requires a lot of alone time.

All my cruelties

so sincerely sorry.

Twas not till this moment

that I understood the consequence

of such failures.

Stopped only by me

with only me to blame

and like any delicate flowers I have known

I fold their wings gently

wishing I could dismiss it all

but of course

no.

Despite my efforts to see at times

I am left with the blindness of sight.

How far can I reach?

How much can be felt?

I am not sure.

But I will consider the day

measure it all with my eyes closed

Camille and Lily

fairies call

watch ore

and my fingertips

will measure my way

home.

by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

copyright 2011

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ABOUT Kathy Ostman-Magnusen: I am an artist, represented by Monkdogz Urban Art, New York. ORIGINAL ART may be purchased through Monkdogz: http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/M...

FREE ART GIFTS, suitable for children plus prints, giclees, cards, available on my website: http://www.kathysart.com

Splendor in the Grass was also a play and of course West Side Story has been sung and done many times. We adore our love stories don't we? Especially the tragic ones that require a full box of Kleenex.

"Splendor in the Grass"

What though the radiance

which was once so bright

Be now for ever taken from my sight,

Though nothing can bring back the hour

Of splendor in the grass,

of glory in the flower,

We will grieve not, rather find

Strength in what remains behind;

In the primal sympathy

Which having been must ever be;

In the soothing thoughts that spring

Out of human suffering;

In the faith that looks through death,

In years that bring the philosophic mind.

-- William Wordsworth

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TH IMAGE IS OF A LITTLE WATERCOLOR BY ME, KATHY OSTMAN-MAGNUSEN It is just a little watercolor sketch really but seems appropriate for this lovely little poem by Wordsworth.

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A lot changed when I had Natasha. I'm a survivor.

Natalie Wood

Almost every girl falls in love with the wrong man, I suppose it's part of growing up.

Natalie Wood

At night, when the sky is full of stars and the sea is still you get the wonderful sensation that you are floating in space.

Natalie Wood

For the first time I feel an inner emotional security. There is reality and dependability. My life revolves around Richard and the baby.

Natalie Wood

From ages 10 to 12 or so, I barely remember anything.

Natalie Wood

I couldn't even go to the bathroom alone. My mother or a social worker always went with me.

Natalie Wood

I didn't know who the hell I was. I was whoever they wanted me to be.

Natalie Wood

I didn't like children. I didn't think of myself as a child. I didn't like any of the things other children were interested in.

Natalie Wood

I never knew motherhood could be so truly gratifying until I had Natasha.

Natalie Wood

I never saw film stars at home. We had no maid, no cook, no swimming pool.

Natalie Wood

I saw my parents as gods whose every wish must be obeyed or I would suffer the penalty of anguish and guilt.

Natalie Wood

I thought it was a wonderful line - right on the cutting room floor.

Natalie Wood

I was so overprotected, I used to think I was as delicate as people said I was.

Natalie Wood

I was so young, and making movies, going to the studio every morning at dawn was magic.

Natalie Wood

I'm just going to have to grow old, because I'm too terrified to have anything done.

Natalie Wood

I'm not very bright about money. I'm not domestic either. If I don't learn how to cook, maybe I won't have to.

Natalie Wood

I've been terrified of the water, and yet it seems I'm forced to go into in on every movie that I make.

Natalie Wood

If I didn't believe in what I'm doing, I'd rather go to work in a dime store.

Natalie Wood

My friends seem much more excited about my doing Anastasia than Brainstorm... and to tell you the truth, I feel the same way.

Natalie Wood

My mother used to tell me, No matter what they ask you, always say yes. You can learn later.

Natalie Wood