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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, March 7, 2011

Natalie Wood and Her Father


This rare photo, also by William Claxton, of Natalie with her father is a touching one. Contrary to the impression given in Lambert's book that Natalie's family was disjointed and its members at constant odds with one another, there's a lot more to be told. Lambert also suggests, based on a rumor, that this man, Nick Gurdin, is not Natalie's blood father. Natalie loved her parents dearly and accepted that no family is perfect. Natalie's immediate family was not dysfunctional. They experienced ups and downs and may have dealt with the same everyday problems many families deal with, but there was no animosity or lack of love on Natalie's part toward her mother and father, who she affectionately called "Mud" and "Fahd". Natalie, who grew up fast, always appreciated what her mother had done for her, and she adored her father, in spite of faults others may want to emphasize and/or exaggerate. Natalie did not grow up in a "living hell" -- she was a rather content child who worked like an adult while experiencing a normal upbringing (she attended public school). Her parents were not often Splendour guests, but that had nothing to do with a lack of Natalie's regard and love for them. Splendour was more RJ's world, and Natalie respected that much. RJ and Natalie grew up in completely different type worlds. If their individual upbringings and environments have anything to do with building character, Natalie's speaks volumes by comparison.

7 comments:

  1. Natalie never spoke out against her family, including RJ. After the divorce she refused to discuss him or their divorce. Because of that the ladies of the press gave her a Sour Apple Award. Sour Apples were given to people who were not cooperative with the press, LOL. Golden Apples were given to those who were cooperative. I can only imagine the abundance of Sour Apples that would be given out right now, in Hollywood.

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  2. Lambert's book is garbage, and that rumor he created that Nick was not Natalie's real father is baseless BS. He only wrote that because Natalie's mother "waited" until she was three and a half months pregnant with her before she married Nick, which I guess was considered taboo in 1938. Natalie looks just like her dad and was very close to him when he was dying, of a heart failure I believe, in November 1980 at age 68. Natalie would be dead within a year of her father's passing.

    There is a beautiful picture of Natalie and her dad together at her 1969 wedding to Richard Gregson. The happiest times.

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  3. This photo along with some others was taken by William Claxton as a request from Steve McQueen, one of his best friends. Claxton was contracted to take promotional photos for "LWTPS" because of its story line (McQueen's character is a musician)and the film's Jazz Score. Claxton photographed some of the biggest Jazz icons of all time in a career lasting over 50 years.
    The photo of Natalie and her Father is purely a candid shot. In candid shots one can always see the true soul of the person(s) photographed. This photo speaks volumes without a single word! Side by side, Father and Daughter, oblivious to the camera, talking, having a bite to eat, enjoying each other's company, etc. What parent and child would look like these two people do in a candid photograph if there was life long discourse and estrangemet between them?
    Simple answer and the only answer is "none". No Natalie Wood "badge" there. As Marti said, Natalie loved her parents contrary to the vituperative gossip put out there by other authors and so called fans all with personal agendas.
    Sign me: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

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  4. OOPS! Sorry dropped the second "n" in estrangement! Hopefully, I won't be shuttled off to the corner with a dunce cap on!

    Sign me...Keep your friends...Oh Please! Marti! you know it is me I'm sure!

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  5. She adored her father. Obviously, he was very special to her as she was to him. He was undoubtedly a complex man as Natalie was a complex woman. They did not have a Leave It To Beaver family but in spite of that, in spite of her less than normal childhood, Natalie grew up to be more "real" , more normal , than many of her peers in show business. I'm sure analysis helped as did her own will of iron.

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  6. I recall Robert Wagner saying that it was difficult for Nick to be "Natalie Wood's father", having his identity wrapped up in her. Perhaps Mr. Wagner was putting his own words in Nick's mouth? Perhaps it was difficult for him to be "Natalie Wood's husband" and he assumed that any man would have the same difficulty in dealing with that?

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