Book review: Natalie Wood Reflections on a Legendary Life
Natalie Wood: Reflections On A Legendary Life by Manoah Bowman
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Natalie Wood: Reflections On A Legendary Life is exactly what it says, and more. An honest publication of a truly remarkable woman, who has been underrated and underestimated in a career spanning 35 years. Fans have waited (hoped!) patiently for an honest Natalie Wood biography that is courteous and faithful to Natalie’s life and career. With facts and and a full filmography, this books provides so much information and personal moments too.
As biographies go, Reflections On A Legendary Life does not disappoint. With its hardback, coffee book style and golden exterior design, this book oozes class and beauty, much like its subject, Natalie Wood. This is a great book for many reasons, one of them being that it isn’t just a biography of a Hollywood actress. Written by author Manoah Bowman, with the help of Natalie’s two daughters, Natasha Gregson Wagner and Courtney Wagner, Reflections provides information on Natalie’s star career as well as her life.
Natalie’s career as a child actress began when she was just four, with the greatest encouragement from her mother. Natalie’s most famous role as a child is her performance as the little girl who didn’t believe in Santa Clause in the Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street (1947). Destined for greatness, Natalie appeared to effortlessly transition from child star to teen star, to a great and mature actress. However this was not the case. Natalie had to rebel against her mother and the studio for the right to choose her own films and roles, whilst trying to maintain her celebrity image and identity.
Famous for her big, mesmerising brown eyes and petite frame, Natalie Wood was typecast in inadequate roles up until Rebel Without A Cause in 1955. Throughout her career Natalie took risks, and chose roles that were before their time such as Rebel Without A Cause (1955), Splendour In The Grass (1961), and Love With The Proper Stranger (1963). Natalie earned three Academy Award nominations before she was 25, making her the youngest actress to have three Oscar nominations at the time. Natalie held the record for 50 years until she was succeeded by Jennifer Lawrence in 2014.
Natalie’s impressive films credits include the western The Searchers (1956), classic musicals such as West Side Story (1961) and Gypsy (1962), as well as Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice (1969). Natalie appeared in fewer films from the late 1960s to 70s, to be a mother to her two daughters. Details of Natalie’s costars, characters and film productions are seen throughout the book, with a full filmography.
The bonuses in Reflections, are the gorgeous high quality photographs of Natalie ranging from studio portraits and glamour shots, to childhood pictures and personal photos with her family. Many of the photos were never seen before. One particular chapter in the book includes an interview with photographer and friend of the Wood/Wagner family, Michael Childers. Childers provides an insight into his friendship with Natalie Wood in the 10 years that he knew her, with stunning complimentary photographs. A beautiful section of the book includes Courtney’s Family Album. Natalie’s youngest daughter Courtney, provided her own personal photo album for the book including her intimate moments and memories for every individual photo. Natalie always wanted to be a mother and it’s here in this album that Courtney reveals some of the never before seen photos of Natalie with her beloved family.
My personal favourite part of the book is the chapter titled ‘A Reminiscence’ by Natasha Gregson Wagner. As a child Natalie was called Natasha, until the the studio executives at RKO Radio Pictures, changed her name and she became Natalie Wood. Natalie named her first daughter Natasha. In this chapter, Natasha includes special memories of her mum and the impact of her legacy on her own life with her daughter Clover.
The greatest and most rewarding feature of this book is the chapter written entirely by the subject herself. Public Property, Private Person by Natalie Wood, is almost like a short biography. It’s an article written by Natalie, where she describes her troubles and challenges as a child who had to grow up fast and be the sufficient breadwinner of her family. She also explains the difficulties of her first marriage to Robert Wagner in 1957, with the constant watch of the public. She also discussed the negative side to being an actress, but that’s it’s the only life she ever knew. From her Russian beginnings, to her successful career, Natalie’s personal chapter provides an insight into her thoughts up until 1966. The accompanied photographs by Bill Ray are so natural and complimentary.
This is also the first and only book on Natalie Wood that purely celebrates her life, career and achievements, rather than focusing on conspiracy theories and rumours surrounding her tragic death by drowning in 1981. With memories and interviews from friends, photographers, fellow actors and of course, the Wood/Wagner family, Natalie’s legacy continues to live on through her daughters.
The participation and association of Natalie’s family in this book provides the love and beauty that a book oo a legend requires. With the foreword provided by Natalie’s husband and actor Robert Wagner, and the afterword written by her costar and friend Robert Redford, Natalie Wood: Reflections On A Legendary Life is a beautiful tribute to an actress, icon, friend and mother. For too long, the talent of Natalie Wood been neglected. Reflections finally brings to light Natalie’s talent and successes, which have been overlooked or simply forgotten in recent years. With honest accounts and memories, plenty of information and facts, and truly fantastic photographs, this book provide all of its readers with more reasons to adore and admire Natalie Wood and her family.
- Thank you to Natasha and Courtney for their dedication and commitment. This book is so special to fans of your mother, and we’re all so grateful!
- I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Natalie Wood, Old Hollywood, or anyone who appreciates a true icon. Now all we need is a Natalie Wood bookmark to match (for when I read this for the third time!)
- Natalie Wood Reflections On A Legendary Life is available on Amazon. Or purchase from nataliefragrance.com along with the Natalie fragrance, scented candle and body gift sets.
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