Silver Screen Magic with Natalie Wood

Actress Natalie Wood began her career early, before she became ten, in the films “Miracle on 34th Street” and “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir." She earned a Golden Globe award for her performance of Karen Holmes in the TV adaptation of “From Here to Eternity." She died tragically drowning in 1981 at the age of 43.

Director Paul Mazursky directed the 1969 American comedy drama “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice." The film starred Natalie Wood, Robert Culp, Elliott Gould, and Dyan Cannon. The original music score was composed by Quincy Jones.

This is a swinging-sixties sex comedy where a foursome of close friends gathers in a Los Angeles home to get in touch with their inner feelings. Documentary filmmaker Bob Sanders (Robert Culp) and his wife Carol (Natalie Wood) and their friends Ted Henderson (Elliott Gould) and his wife Alice (Dyan Cannon).

Director Michael Ritchie directed the 1972 American political comedy drama “The Candidate." The film starred Robert Redford, Natalie Wood, and Peter Boyle.

The storyline revolves around Bill McKay (Robert Redford), a US senator from California running for president of the US. Given zero chance at winning, McKay uses his campaign to tell the unadulterated truth, devoid of political spins, obfuscations, lies, and backstabbing. Natalie Wood played herself.

Director Robert Mulligan directed the 1963 American romantic drama film “Love with the Proper Stranger." The film starred Natalie Wood, Steve McQueen, Edie Adams, Herschel Bernardi, and Harvey Lembeck. This film marked the screen debut of actor Tom Bosley. The film explored themes like abortion, norms of conventional marriage, and adulthood and was shot in black and white.

The storyline revolves around conservative Italian-American Angie Rossini (Natalie Wood), who discovers she is pregnant following one romantic night with musician Rocky Papasano (Steve McQueen). She confronts Rocky but he doesn’t even remember who she is.

Director Nicholas Ray directed the 1955 American coming-of-age melodrama film “Rebel Without a Cause." The film starred James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, Jim Backus, Ann Doran, and others. The film portrayed the moral decay of American youth, critiqued parental styles, and explored the differences and conflicts between generations, namely the Interbellum Generation and the Silent Generation. The film was released a month after James Dean died in a car crash on September 30, 1955.

The storyline revolves around Jim Stark (James Dean), a rebellious and independent-minded new kid in a California town. He struggles to make friends and keep bullies at bay. Despite her popular clique, he befriends Judy (Natalie Wood) as well as Plato (Sal Mineo).

Director John Ford directed the 1956 American epic Western film “The Searchers." It was based on a 1954 novel of the same name by Alan Le May. The film starred John Wayne , Natalie Wood, and Jeffrey Hunter.

The storyline is set during the Texas-Indian Wars. Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) is a middle-aged Civil War veteran who, accompanied by his adopted nephew Martin Pawley (Jeffery Hunter), spends years looking for his abducted niece Debbie Edwards (Natalie Wood).

Director Elia Kazan directed the 1961 American period drama “Splendor in the Grass." The film starred Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty, Pat Hingle, Audrey Christie, and others.

The storyline revolves around the unrequited love affair between Bud Stamper (Warren Beatty), an alpha male from the richest family in town and Wilma Dean "Deanie" Loomis (Natalie Wood), a schoolgirl from the wrong side of the tracks.

Directors Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins directed the 1961 American musical romantic drama film “West Side Story." The film was an adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name. It starred Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, and George Chakiris. The music was composed by Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

The storyline revolves around the street gangs the Jets and the Sharks. While the gangs fight it out on the streets, Tony (Richard Beymer) falls in love with Maria (Natalie Wood); unfortunately, they are from opposite sides.