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A place to update and discuss facts surrounding the controversial, tragic death of legendary Hollywood film actress, wife and mother, Natalie Wood who drowned mysteriously Nov. 29, 1981 off Catalina Island. Thank you for visiting.

Monday, February 21, 2011

What WAS Christopher Walken doing on THAT boat?

I had a restless night's sleep last night, probably because I have a busy week ahead of me, including some work relating to GNGS. I fell asleep with the TV on, thinking about Christopher Walken because he had been interviewed for a few shots in Saturday Night Live's "backstage" TV special last night, and I saw Walken, and strangely, I felt no animosity, which caused my mind to race.

Yes, I still become frustrated with Walken because he is the liason -- the ONLY person-- who can verify the bottle smashing episode. Natalie was, indeed, in the main salon when Wagner smashed the bottle, and Walken knows what Wagner accused him of during the smashing, although it's already evident Wagner is lying: (1) Wagner said in Lambert's book Natalie was present during the bottle smashing, then changed it for his own book (2) Dennis passed the details on a polygraph (3) Wagner had never denied Dennis's account of the bottle smashing. So, if Walken would contribute the actual truth of even just that issue, it would serve as further evidence of Wagner's blatant lie.

Dennis liked Walken and actually sympathized with him, during and after the cruise. Here's why: Dennis felt that Walken was unexpectantly caught in the middle of a marital issue, just as Dennis himself had been. Although Dennis did not want to make the trip to the Island in dreary weather, he had expected to have a pleasurable cruise once they got underway, and he figured Walken felt the same way. But there was immediate tension as Wagner's animosity toward Walken was immediately obvious. Walken and Dennis tried to make the best of it and really went out of their way to ease the tension. As we know, Dennis went so far as to offer a pill to everyone by Friday afternoon, to calm the situation. By Saturday night, Walken offered to share a joint with Dennis when the two of them took the dinghy from the restaurant to get wine from Splendour. Dennis sensed that Walken was relieved to get away for a few minutes from Natalie and RJ. It was THAT tense!

Natalie had expected RJ to treat her Splendour guest with the same hospitality he usually treated other boat guests, but Wagner was obviously jealous of and irritated by Walken's playful personality. Wagner apparently expected Natalie to take advantage of the opportuntiy on their private boat to show her co-star how much in love with her husband she was, but in Natalie's mind, that really wasn't necessary because it was a SOCIAL CRUISE, and not a place to rectify something that was in Wagner's mind only. Natalie was angry that RJ wouldn't let up, and that only made her more angry. It was obvious, by dinnertime on Saturday night, Walken wished he had never accepted the cruise invitation. Thus, Dennis sympathized with Walken for having to be in such an uncomfortable situation. In fact, Dennis sympathized with himself for being in the middle of such an awkward outing. But, Sunday morning, they'd be heading home, so Christopher and Dennis simply tried to remain neutral. Then the uncomfortable evening led to the bottle smashing, completely, utterly shocking everyone on board.

I truly believe that Walken and Dennis stayed tight-lipped immediately following the tragedy mostly due to a continuing sense of shock and awe and confusion. Sure, Walken had his reasons: he was married, too, and Wagner had accused him of having sexual or romantic feelings for Natalie. Walken's career was just starting and he was frightened of being in the middle of what he believed the media would turn into a scandal. He really didn't know what happened after he went immediately to his cabin followng the bottle smashing. Dennis truly believes Walken was in a certain sleep when he checked his cabin.

So, I started thinking about Walken heavily last night. Walken must know the arguing between Wagner and Natalie wouldn't have ended with the bottle smashing. He knows he was the cause of Wagner's jealousy, and he proabbly still feels his guilt for being the person who caused the tension, but he is not really to blame.  

On "Curb Your Enthusiasm" last year when Jerry Seinfeld asks the question, with a sarcastic grin on his face, "Yeah, what WAS Walken doing on that boat?" the answer is rather simplistic: WALKEN WAS TAKING A SOCIAL CRUISE WITH HIS CO-STAR AND HER HUSBAND TO PASS THE TIME ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

But, on this cruise, Natalie Wood ended up dead.

Surprisingly, the question I asked myself last night is one I had never asked: Would Walken have taken this cruise if, in fact, he were having an affair with Natalie? Think about it. What man, unless a truly heartless, selfish, sick and devious one, would go on a "weekend date" with the husband of the woman he was having an affair with? It stands to reason, the "other man" in an affair would stay as far away as possible from the husband which only enforces what Natalie had told Dennis: she wanted only to show her co-star and new friend, Christopher, a pleasant time, a holiday cruise, while they were in L.A. to finish up shooting Brainstorm. Natalie actually WAS showing off her private world with pride, and she included her husband, who she LOVED, because she was happy to be home in her private life after having been away for months.
She would've included Walken's wife if she had been on the West Coast that weekend, too!

It's evident that Natalie, or Christopher, were NOT the type of cruel personalities to flaunt a secret relationship on a tight-quarters cruise with Natalie's husband on board. It was all in Wagner's mind. Jealous people (to the degree of bottle smashing and beyond) are often people who base suspicions on their own capabilities. Add enough alcohol to fuel the immaturity and deranged thoughts, and the stage is set for disaster.

Dennis has always said he'd like to talk with Walken. I doubt that will ever happen, especially after Wagner's book where he calls Walken a "gentleman" most likely a compliment based on Walken's silence. Wagner sure didn't consider Walken a gentleman during the fateful Splendour cruise, and Wagner previously said he was uncomfortable with Walken being at Natalie's wake. Now, Walken, in Wagner's eyes, is a "gentleman."

Walken should come forward. Dennis has been revealing what he knows for over 25 years. Walken has been silent for 30 years (with truth). It's time. People who like Walken would like him better if he would do the right thing. But, seems he has made a committment to remaining silent, something I'm glad Dennis eventually chose differently on.

I woke up at 3:14 AM last night and Rhinestone was on an HBO channel. Dolly Parton was standing in a bar with Sylvester Stallone. Right behind her, in the scene, stood Dennis Davern, dressed in a western outfit, playing a bar patron, a part from his general-extra acting career Wagner got him started in. When Rhinestone was made, Dennis and I had been talking a lot about why Natalie Wood ended up in the Pacific Ocean. It is also around the time Dennis was hoping to move away from L.A. so that he would never have to see Robert Wagner again.

Dennis has been a scapegoat for blame, and so has Walken, Marilyn Wayne, and others. I suppose the point of all my thinking last night is this: there really are no valid scapegoats. There is one person responsible for the tragic results of the November 1981 Thanksgiving weekend cruise when Natalie lost her life.   

52 comments:

  1. I saw Walken on the SNL show last night. He sickened me.

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  2. I think Marti is explaining the dynamics involved with her post. One never knows how they will react to such a horrible tragedy unless they are in it. Natalie had a family. Walken didn't know what happened, and probably thought it best to keep quiet. Dennis knew more than Walken, but what a terrible position for him to be in! Ones conscience ate away at him enuogh to talk while the other remains quiet. It's a hard thing to admit you know more details about a death than you ever revealed. Maybe people wouldn't like Christopher more if he talked now. Maybe they would. This is why the police need to get involved.

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  3. Wagner visited the set of "Brainstorm" in North Carolina. Walken most likely met Wagner there, so I don't think he would have come on the Splendour if he noticed Wagner acting like something was going on between him and Natalie. Think about Walken's response to Dennis about not getting involved in a married couple's argument. I think Walken would not have come if he knew of the real tension between the couple.

    Marti, If Walken was to corroborate Dennis' testimony, would that be considered new evidence, and would that force the authorities to reopen the case?

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  4. When I spoke with Frank Salerno who headed the case (although not hands-on, he relied on Rasure's report), Frank told me it's not unusual for people to change their stories years after an event. I thought it was a stange thing to think in a case as prominent as Natalie's but I listened to Frank. I told him it wasn't a matter of "changing" stories but more a case of finally revealing truth, but it went on deaf ears. It seems to be a case the authorities are reluctant to admit they botched. Make no mistake about it, this was a totally botched case.vors of the sruise did not co-operate, but it is inexcuseable that more questions weren't asked, that even the Coast Guard Captain was not interviewed! Now, even all these years later, there IS something to go on, there IS evidence, but, yes, if Walken came out and said he had something to reveal about that night, it would be all over the news. What a difference being a celeb makes!

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  5. Kevin, to answer your question directly, if Walken revealed more now, it might INSPIRE the authorities to look at the case, but I'm not sure it would warrant forcing them to reopen it. That decision is theirs and theirs alone. We're going to do the best we can...REAL SOON...but this case could remain forever closed. It all depends on the mindset of who would make the final decision at this time.

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  6. Sorry about the typo two posts above...you'll recognize it...don't know what happened, but it was supposed to say: The survivors of the cruise did not co-operate...

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  7. In your relentless pursuit of justice for Natalie, Marti, I think it's amazing you still give this case so much thought and effort. That makes me believe you will achieve your goal and that we will all see justice for Natalie in our lifetime, hopefully this year. Kudos to you and Dennis.

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  8. We all know Walken was a victim of circumstance and I can sympathize with him for that. I'm sure he wants to put as much distance between him and that night as possible. However, to remain silent when you have heard public lies about that night from Wagner's mouth is inexcusable. Wouldn't your first thought be why is this guy lying? What really happened after I went to my cabin? He knew the state Wagner was in that night. Suddenly his hostess is missing and then ends up dead. Really? No fleeting thoughts of foul play? Even if his friendship with Natalie was new, he still owed the truth on her behalf to the police. If not then, later after he'd processed the evening and Wagner's lies. What does he do? He gives interviews that include statements about your ass falling off a boat, it happens sometimes. Not offended or outraged yet? He knows the truth up to a certain point, he has nothing to lose by telling it now. (except respect, for being a weasel when Natalie could have had a chance for justice). We admire witnesses in regular cases that come forward at risk to themselves. We admire their courage and say they did the right thing. Is Christopher Walken to be held to a different standard? Isn't celebrity privilige at the very crux of this case making it even harder to crack? Yes, Walken was in the wrong place at the wrong time but his actions after that have cemented his place in infamy with me. Just my opinion.

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  9. Anonymous at 3:54 p.m.--I agree with everything that you state. Walken was an "innocent" guest. But he was NOT an innocent witness.

    For him to make such statements as the "your ass falls off a boat" comment...how disrespectful! When I read that in that interview, it disgusted me. He proved himself unworthy of Natalie's admiration and friendship.

    Marti, as for your belief that Walken wouldn't have gone on the trip if something HAD been going on, I've thought, too. I don't think he would've, and Natalie certainly wasn't the kind of person to flaunt it in Wagner's face, even if she did do something. But that is not how Wagner's mind operates.

    It seemed obvious that Natalie just wanted to have a nice time, and she expected Wagner to be gracious. But his petty jealousies and insecurities, fueled by booze, were the REAL demons, not Natalie's desire to work, especially at something she loved and was great at.

    Wagner's jealous, wild rages (not just on that weekend but in years prior) suggest that he was a person who was guilty of such behavior or at least had a tendency toward it.

    Wagner has maintained 30 years of deceit on this--it's stunning. But sociopaths are amazingly adroit at using charm and guilt to manipulate other people, as well as intimidate them. That is why many sociopaths are actually hugely "successful" people. They are not all criminals linked to the penal system. Many of them are in upper management and other positions of power, throughout all kinds of businesses. And many of them are successful Hollywood players, as we all probably know.

    I doubt we'll ever hear from Walken. Even if Wagner passed away first, I think Walken would just remain quiet and hope it would go away for good.

    Thank goodness that Dennis told Marti, and they have been so persistent for people to know the truth. It has been painful to learn about what actually happened, but it is better that we all know. This story has preoccupied me since the day I received "GNGS" for Christmas in 2009. It has been hugely upsetting, but I am grateful. It wouldn't have been fair to Natalie to ignore it. We are her only voice.

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  10. Marti Rulli said...
    Anon 2:39

    Thank you for your honest opinion. It's the spot I always end up at, too. I guess it angers me that people turn to scapegoats all the time. I spend a lot of time evaluating Dennis and Walken, and Rasure, and all else involved, but I'm really to the point where I want the authorities to evaluate WAGNER.

    For Walken, this isn't about admitting something trivial, it's about admitting facts in a death case, and I see that it really all boils down to the fact there is the opportuntiy now to tell the complete truth, and Walken won't do it unless the police get involved. He might even stick to his original story then. His help would be invaluable, but I doubt we will get it. And I agree, that is inexcusable.

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  11. I think one of the better points in your post (Marti) is that Walken would never have gone on the trip if he really was having an affair with Natalie. It's an excellent point. Do I think he should come forward? Yes, I do. I also think it's despicable that he hasn't come forward. He knows about your book.

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  12. Just to clarify, I left out something in my above post. Of course, I meant to say that Wagner seemed guilty of what he was accusing Natalie of (or at least had it brewing in him). Before Natalie's death, Wagner probably was not the devoted husband he tried to appear as. He has spent 30 years lying and dodging re: her death--but that behavior didn't start all of a sudden on November 29th, 1981.

    His teeth might gleam across a crowded room, and he might've had "a lot of hair" in his younger days (as he stated), but that's about as far as his substance goes. He is a con artist--and a damned lucky one at that, too.

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  13. If I were married, and my wife died tragically (whether by my doing or not), there wouldn't be enough expressions to show the sorrow, the guilt, and the humble sadness brought on by such a nightmare.

    But then again...and not to be uppity...I'm not such a joke like Wagner. And I have a pair, unlike Walken.

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  14. Marianne, I believe that you are dead on with saying Wagner's horrible behavior didn't just start on November 29, 1981. Despite their "love story", Lana said herself that it was a tempestuous marriage. I think Natalie's motive in the marriage was happily ever after. I think we all know Wagner had bigger issues. He wanted to be at the top with her and all the trappings that accompanied that position. Exactly where he always wanted to be, only it was through Natalie and not his own accomplishments. I think he wanted to call the shots but he wasn't in the ultimate power position. He was jealous of her on many levels and most certainly resentful. Marti said in another thread that he probably lived a double life. I agree, and that always makes people angry along with all of his other baggage. It all exploded that night and he kept the lifestyle but "let" Natalie go. Sounds so savage, doesn't it? People who know him refer to his "dark side" which is their less clinical way of calling him a sociopath. Yes, none of this just started almost 30 years ago. It just came to fruition then. Even though I'm pounding Walken in my post further above, make no mistake, I know exactly who's doorstep all of this falls on. I just resent the help he got in pulling it off.

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  18. Isn't Dennis quoted many times in the book saying that they should end the trip early that weekend? He recognized that Wagner was in a bad way. That is what Dennis meant when he said it could have been prevented.

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  19. To the Anonymous poster 4:11; Maybe I should wait for Marti to answer you, but did you read GNGS? It's quite clear that Marti and Dennis had contact with the lead detectives in the case several times, for the purpose of arranging for Dennis to tell his full account, something he was told by attorney's to withhold. It is also made clear in GNGS that Dennis did not tell two different versions to the police, that his report was written by Wagner representation as Dennis was asked to never speak of the case again, and then was threatened if he did speak about it, not only threatened but placated by Robert Wagner to hush (who gives a boathand an acting job on his own show?).
    I apologize if I am offending you, but the intricate information presented to us in GNGS seems unabsorbed by some people. It's really a book that should be read more than once. I always see many questions asked of Marti that have been answered over and again.

    Marti, I apologize to you also for answering the poster's question, but it aggravates me to see the redundancy foused on yours and Dennis' efforts, which have always been made quite clear, especially in your thorough book explanations as well as here at your blog. You had the lead detective on the phone and when asked if it was murder, he did not accept the answer, case still closed, through no fault of Dennis or your own. How much more official can you get than that?

    My i.e. - in whatever interview Dennis was asked if it was murder and answered "It could have been avoided" what should Dennis have said? Should he have said it was murder to then be labeled a judge and jury? Please.

    My P.S. - the only hole I see in Dennis' version is the one Wagner needs to fill.

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  20. And the same can be said for Robert Wagner, the story he "sticks to" is VERY different that the story HE told in 1981. Dennis told the truth in 1983, Wagner still has not told the true story and he has changed his story drastically over the last 30 years. It took him 20 years to admit to the bottle breaking and with that, he changed his version in 2 different books. Dennis is far more credible than the lying husband.

    I totally believe Dennis as he has no reason to lie, where as Wagner has plenty. And Dennis was after money bit does not work. If he was after money, the book would have been written much differently. It would have been more sensational, full of lies about people who can no longer defend themselves, like Wagner did in his book.

    Dennis and Marti have given Wagner ample opportunity to defend himself. They wrote GNGS in Wagner's his lifetime leaving themselves wide open for law suits. Wagner has said and done nothing. My theory on this is that he is AFRAID to give the book any public attention as he knows that within the pages of GNGS is that truth.

    Also, it's been established that Wagner is a compulsive liar, always done in an effort to hide the truth or enhance himself.

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  21. Anon 4:11 is the person that tried to scam Marti.

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  22. "the only hole I see in Dennis' version is the one Wagner needs to fill"

    Exactly.

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  23. Anon 6:52, I was thinking the same thing. The little digs not to mention identifiable misspellings are transparent. Some people will never learn.

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  24. Wagner is the liar, not Dennis. I totally agree with everything Anon 6:47 says.

    Anon 4:11 uses content like "IF Dennis' story is true." Well, there are few "ifs" here. The people contributing to this blog have NO doubt about Dennis' story, so go away, so far away, and leave us to deal with the truth, ok, Anon 4:11? I don't care if I've ofended you.

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  25. People! That is Richard posting! He waits until he wife goes to sleep or when she is in the bath or he has time at work. He is all over the internet.
    He has done this for years. You can set your watch to this guy's pattern!

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  26. "It's me an no I'm not the one who tried to scam Marti....I'm sure she can tell from my IP who I am."

    Yes, Marti knows who you are. You're the person who tried to scam her. We would not expect you to admit it as you are a compulsive liar, like your idol, Robert Wagner. The IP thing is getting old.

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  27. I deleted two posts, the one asking all the "pressure questions" about why it takes so long (ridiculous!) and the one with the spelling corrections following it. Thanks to all who answered the poster claiming to not be the one scamming me. We all receive the same signals from the same antenna. Thanks much.

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  28. Also, to the person whose comments I deleted. If you aren't who we think you are, stop sounding like him then, or stop wasting my time with ridiculous statements posed as questions, or simply post somewhere else. Take this blog seriously or take your comments elsewhere.

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  29. We can all read around him if you delete Marti. Keep your place clean of him.

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  30. He's here, Marti. He's stalking one of your other threads, stirring up trouble, as usual. I guess there is no action on the other sites he trolls so he comes back here to cause dissension. He trashes you, insults you and Dennis on other sites then when he does not get the reaction he is looking for, he comes back to your blog. He's as predictable as the day is long.

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  31. I will be busy this week but will be sure to check in for "interruptions" -- It's a shame for the wasted time needed to monitor those who simply cannot stop trying to demean, alter, and deny Dennis's account. Once again, this blog is not the place for it, and I don't know how many times I have to reiterate this fact.

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  32. Marti

    Walken does know that there was continuation after the bottle smashing. When he entered the main salon on Sunday morning he saw a group of strangers and uttered an "Oh no!" He said this without having conferred with anyone. His last reference of the main salon was of Wagner's violent act. Apparently he was making the connection between that and something yet revealed to him-but in his mind at that moment, something ominous, tragic. I believe this is visible evidence that he knows the tragedy was born from Wagner's violent act.

    Michael B

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  33. Interesting observation. Maybe he came out, saw Wagner in an emotional state and saw the strangers and assumed something was wrong but did not know any of the specifics?

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  34. Michael,

    It was after they told him Natalie's body was found that Walken said "Oh No" -- he approached the group apprehensively and they told him right away. His response was to put his hands in his head and he uttered, "Oh no." That doesn't mean it's not possible he hadn't heard something the night before, but even if he did hear arguing, I'm sure he would've expected as much after something as outrageous as the bottle smashing. Dennis heard a viscious argument taking place, but still, NO ONE would ever have thought, even remotely, that it would mean death for Natalie. Dennis knew how far the argument had gone, but possible or even actual death as a result of it was something that did not cross his mind until he was alone with Wagner, and when Wagner didn't want to do anything to search for Natalie, it was more reasonable (and hopeful) for Dennis to think she MUST be in the dinghy, as he still was not able at that time to wrap his brain around what could actually be happening. So, I really do believe that if Walken heard something, death was the furthest thing from his mind, too. NO ONE thought Wagner would or could harm Natalie. It's the same way the authorities thought. Terribly sad.

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  35. I believe that Walken heard the argument between Natalie and Wagner but kept mum and will continue to do so. As you pointed out, no one would have thought "oh gee, I hope he does not kill her." I'm sure the thought of Natalie dying as a result of her husband's foul, drunken state never entered anyone's mind.

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  36. You know, I was sure that he didn't hear anything because Dennis said Walken was asleep when he checked his cabin while searching for Natalie. Of course there is the possibility he heard them arguing--it was a loud argument.

    That aside, we do know that he was there when Wagner broke the wine bottle while accusing Walken of wanting to have sex with Natalie. When one has witnessed such a violent act by the husband of the wife who ended up dead less than 10 hours later, shouldn't a person feel obliged to come forward with what he saw and heard? Doesn't Mr Walken feel that he owes it to Natalie's friendship to back Dennis up on that story? Natalie opened her home to Mr Walken. Natalie was the person that invited him as a guest--as a new friend she thought she had made.

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  37. It seems that he does not want to get involved and I'm sure Wagner appreciates that. He labeled him as a gentleman because Walken kept his mouth shut about what he witnessed. He has distanced himself from this. Maybe he is afraid to come forward because he lied to the police.

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  38. I wonder what he'll tell the police if the case is re-investigated.

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  39. I wonder if any mention was made of the events of Natalie's death when Wagner and Walker shot that horrid movie together. Maybe it was like the elephant in the room. Looming large and ominous but both to wary to speak about it.

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  40. What movie did Walken & Wagner make?

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  41. It's called LIFE'S A BEACH.

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285252/



    I mentioned it several blogs back but no one noticed or said anything. It was made about 5 or 6 years ago (even though it says 2010 on IMDB) but never got released.

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  42. Marti, do you think there's any possibility that Wagner threatened Walken? He's threatened so many others that I kind of have to wonder...

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  43. I don't think a threat to Walken would have been in Wagner's best interest. With Walken, he probably turned on the charm and-or the devastated husband act. This is possibly where they agreed to agree. The change in Wagner's attitude toward Walken from the Lambert book to his memoir is very revealing. They, no doubt, discussed this and agreed to agree that Walken will keep his mouth shut if Wagner makes nice with him in his memoir and in future interviews if the topic arises.

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  44. That's what I think happened: they made amends, most likely with few words. Both are older and both are on the same page concerning how they want to be remembered: having withheld information from the authorities would mar their images. They won't talk now. Even if the case is reoepened, they will have lawyers and most likely be angry at the authorities, but that won't get by the authorities, either. Both obviously put career image first, even at the expense of a life and justice for that life.

    As for the movie they made together, I've known about it for a while but have no idea why it wasn't released, other than I've read it was really poorly made.

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  45. Wagner has had bit roles several films in that last few years that have not been released.

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  46. I think he got the Charlie's Angels gig so they wouldn't be bothered by him. He sues them any loophole he finds. Talk about writing a book for the sole purpose of money, that shoe fits him. He always said he'd never write a book. Guess the funds got low. He duped his fans and entire new audience with his book of lies.

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  47. I remember him on Donahue when Phil asked if he had planned to write a memoir. He put his hand over his heart and said that he wanted to keep his memories there as he patted his heart. He's such a drama queen! LOL A total phony. All of a sudden he sold his ranch in Pacific Palisades which he said he would never do, and he announces that he will write his memoir which he said he would never do. All of this was after he lost the last Charlie's Angels law suit.
    Anyone who knows anything about Wagner's life and Natalie's life will recognize the lies he told. Also, people who have read other books by and about other people will recognize some of the re-run stories that Wagner told. Eyman's ummmm research was not top notch. He and Wagner twisted stories to suit the message Wagner was trying to send. He did a major con job with that book but what else should we expect from such a compulsive liar.

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  48. I always thought it suspicious that Walken, too, has refused to discuss what he knows about the night that Natalie died - "out of respect for the family" - what BS. The family would want to know what happened to her. Who knows what Walken may or may not know but I think he's also more concerned with preserving his image, like Wagner. Natalie considered Walken a friend and this is how he repays her. I don't hold him as responsible as I do Wagner, but you have to wonder why if Natalie's friendship meant anything to him why he has maintained so much of this silence. It's completely unfair that Dennis gets the brunt of the anger and suspicion by some when the two main culprits are too busy trying to cover their asses and present their "star side" to the public. And all they sacrificed was the life of woman who meant so much to so many people - mother, sister, daughter, friend, talented actress.

    Wagner, who should have loved and protected Natalie not only failed her on that terrible night but has in later years, continually avoided taking responsibility for her death, twisted things around and published them to gain sympathy for himself and trashing her memory. I can only hope that somehow, in this lifetime, he will be exposed for the liar that he is.

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  49. Well said, Colleen, and so true.

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  50. Rebecca Howell

    There is a clip of Walken and Natalie on Brainstorm where they play husband and wife. Wagner visited the set and I wonder if this made him jealous. She hadn't played a romantic lead in several years and this may have ignited the fuse.

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  51. When I was a young teenager, people would ask, who would you be if you could be anybody, being a blond, my answer was always the same, " Natalie Wood." All I wanted for Christmas (12/ys) was the album, WEST SIDE STORY, my Mother and Santa made sure I had it. When I first read of her death at Sea, I was stunned and thought the facts didn't add up. Oh, I live on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico, so I am familiar with nautical protocols. My Mother's death (2005)was devastating, but I know she is still watching over me, but having taught me good moral values, etc. I cannot say the same about my much beloved Natalie. So Marti, I thank you for your continuing search for the truth. I do hope before I go to my own grave, I will know what actually happened. Walken has always made me feel creepy, but that is his job (I don't even like him if he plays a good guy.).
    Neither my Mother, Mary Stephens, nor I were/are ignorant women, and we both questioned this death. Keep up the search, and set her free, let her spirit be in the clouds floating, looking at her children and grandchildren, let her live her childhood through them now. God rest her soul.
    Thanks once more.

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  52. P.S. Isn't it eerie how much her daughter looks like her. I like that. -she does live on

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