Tonight I attended a local "Meet and Greet" wine and cheese event our community business merchants association and PNC bank sponsored and hosted. There was a very nice turn out. I attended as a business owner and merchants member (I was secretary of the association for five years and resigned when GNGS was released only because I was too busy with book related obligations at that time to properly keep up with the secretarial duties). Having been a business owner in my community for decades, I pretty much know most of the people attending the various local events. Many business owners, employees, professionals, bankers, and politicians attend. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, but the room is filled with respectable, intelligent people. And tonight was nice because I met many new people.
Although I was in attendance representing my local business, I was surprised at how many times GNGS came up in conversations. And I mingled! I know some of the people in attendance have read GNGS but I also spoke with some who haven't read it yet. The question asked by those who haven't read GNGS is usually, "Did he do it?" and I heard that question a few times tonight. Before I responded, each person who asked it said the same thing: "I always KNEW there was something suspicious about her death."
Instincts from the moment we all heard about Natalie's death told us her death was not pure accident. How I usually answer the question is with a statement about the horrid investigation, then I add, "The facts speak for themselves, but the facts were always stifled." Yes, that's how I usually answer. But, tonight, I wasn't so diplomatic, although I remained "careful." Maybe it was the Zinfandel, maybe the frustration. But, I do know this much: every single new person I met tonight has always believed something sinister was involved in Natalie's death. Not one of them knew who Robert Wagner was, other than he was married to Natalie. Only one woman remembered Hart to Hart, and not so fondly.
I was surprised at the attention Natalie drew tonight, from people of all ages! I know she deserves it, but still it really made me feel inspired that people -- everyday, hard-working people -- really do still care about the travesty of justice in Natalie's death. And people REALLY remember her!
I had not expected to talk about GNGS at this event tonight, but I'm really glad others brought it up. I learned a lot about what people really think, and I doubt any of those people visit my blog, but if they do, I thank them for caring. I thank them for their interest, and I thank them for remembering a woman who should still be on this earth tonight, enjoying whatever would have made her night. Tonight, the interest in Natalie made MY night!
Bring Natalie up at the next social event you attend. You will see for yourself how much people know about her, and how they still recall her questionable death -- almost 30 years later! Legends are amazing people, and Natalie will always be one of them.
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I was at a party one night and overheard a conversation about the movie West Side Story. Someone said it's a shame Natalie got drunk and drowned. That was years ago and I thought the same thing. Now I'm angry that we were led to believe such nonsense.
ReplyDeleteI was 8 when Natalie drowned. I remember one of my parents telling me that a famous actress had drowned because she didn't know how to swim, and there was a loud party on the boat so no one heard her in the water calling for help. Even at 8, I thought it sounded a little "fishy." I always kept that tucked away in my mind and wondered what really happened. A few months ago I was reminded of Natalie (can't remember how) and I thought it was time to find out what really happened. I debated between reading "Pieces of My Heart" and GNGS, so I read an old article online that RJ wrote for a magazine. I wasn't satisfied with his explanation, so I opted to skip "Pieces" and go straight to GNGS. I'm glad I did it. I have no interest in "Pieces" now.
ReplyDeleteI remember associating RJ with Natalie when I was a kid, but of course I saw RJ with Jill St. John so much in the 1980s that I sort of forgot about Natalie. (Compounded by the fact that RJ does whatever he can to keep Natalie from getting exposure.) I vaguely remembered in the 1990s something about RJ's wife dying because I came across one of the horses he bought for Natalie's daughters after she died. The owners of the barn where I met the horse told me RJ bought the Arabian horses to help his daughters through their mother's death. Natalie's name never came up. :-(
It took my interest in the real cause of Natalie's death to remind me that she was married to RJ. It's so unfair how he has treated her in death.
Kristin,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you chose GNGS over "Pieces" too! Otherwise you would not have read the truth about her death. It's true he has stifled the memory of Natalie in every way he could. I often wonder if somehow, some way, he had any part whatsoever in the remake of "Miracle on 34th Street" -- he wants her death swept under the rug because he thinks only about his image. I'm very staisfied that GNGS is available for anyone who cares enough to learn the truth. I thank you for being one of them.
Kristin, I am glad you found "GNGS." On the other hand, Wagner's book should've been called, "Pieces of Rubbish." In it, Wagner came across as very crass, mean-spirited, and self-serving. The book was nothing more than an attempt to make him look good. At times it was downright breathtaking (but NOT in a good way).
ReplyDeleteI was disturbed by his book and was shocked that he did not dedicate it, at least partially, to Natalie. However, he dedicated it to the "six women in my life" who have made it meaningful (or some tripe like that). The six women were his mother, sister, St. John, and his three daughters. Natalie didn't help make his life meaningful? She saved his rear end from bankruptcy and afforded him to live a glamourous life at her side--TWICE. She apparently also protected his reputation at her own expense in the aftermath of their first marriage.
Stunningly, Natalie is not even mentioned in the TWO full pages of acknowlegements at the back. (They are in rather small print, so he jammed a lot of them in, too.) He manages to thank sports figures and the friends of Courtney, but he doesn't have room for Natalie anywhwere?
The chapter on Natalie's death rang hollow and stale, as if it were written with the help of an attorney. He cried over his dead dog and his pals, but he didn't get emotional over Natalie. Even the title of his book came from a tearful remembrance of Barbra Stanwyck, NOT of Natalie.
Like you, I was a kid when Natalie died. Even then I, too, doubted the official story. It just didn't sound right. I became more bothered when I saw Wagner gallivanting around in public with St. John a mere six months after Natalie's death. It turns out that St. John and Wagner were dating less than TWO months after Natalie's death, and they went out on a date on Valentine's Day, 1982. What "grieving" spouse does such a thing? I would be heartbroken in that case, and I sure as heck wouldn't be out on Valentine's Day, painting the town red.
Marti, that is a great story about the things you were told by others at the meeting. It shows that rational, intelligent people fully understand the gravity of Natalie's story and recognize the travesty. To have people give you their unsolicited comments like that must've been wonderful for you to receive. I hope several of those people who haven't yet done so will pick up "GNGS." Maybe they will be inspired to do that after talking with you.
ReplyDeleteMarianne,
ReplyDeleteI was so surprised at the support of people I didn't even know. They were quite intrigued with the story. I like your comment so much about Wagner's book that I'd like to know if you'd mind me using it as a post for the blog. His book astounded me (and not in a god way) but I really like the things you've highlighted. Thanks, Marti