Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Most adorable
More Photos
Top: Wagner family Children's Nanny, Willie Mae Worthen with Courtney and
Below: Dennis Davern with Courtney on a babysitting day.
Splendour Boat Replica
(Photos taken by Dennis Davern): Above: A replica of Splendour Natalie commissioned an artist to complete as a gift from her to RJ for their 5th wedding anniversary. RJ loved the gift and had it placed in a wall inset in their guest house. There's a photo of Natalie and RJ in frames above the boat model that's enclosed in glass. The bottom photo is the kitchen in the Canon Drive home with an eight-burner gas range.
Natalie's Canon Drive Home
More photos
Photo 2: Dennis's mother, Ruth Davern, with RJ at his studio set. RJ invited her for a personal tour.
Latest Amazon Review of Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour
Amazon.com: Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour (9781597776394): Marti Rulli, Dennis Davern: Books
Thank you to all reviewers for taking the time to offer your thoughts and opinions of Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour, the story I always felt compelled to tell. Of course, as the writing author, I like the
5-star reviews best, but even the 1-star reviews and those inbetween give me a lot to think about, and I appreciate reader input. Following is the latest review and my comment afterward.
2-Star Review By CintiBonnie "bonnie8" (Cincinnati, Ohio United States)
This review is from: Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour (Hardcover)
A huge fan of Natalie Wood, I never found the previously published reports of her tragic death to ring true. Some of the information in Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour provides real food for thought and makes me wish that if the police will not reopen the case, a respected investigative news show would take a fresh and critical look. That having been said, this 331 page book contains about 31 pages - at most - of actual information. It is a compelling story told in the most tedious and boring fashion possible. I understand that Marti Rulli is not a professional author and was only in a position to write the book as a result of her access to the former Splendour captain but the publisher really should have heavily edited and tightened it up. I dozed off more than once trying to get through this. It was repetitive and unorganized and, at times, whiney. I believe that the book raises serious and legitimate questions about the suspicious death of this wonderful actress but Captain Davern would have been far more credible if he had spoken up sooner than almost 30 years after the fact.
Bonnie, thank you for taking the time to offer your honest opinion. I started the book in 1983 and worked it as a journal forward. I agree, it could have been tighter. I have read thousands of books and appreciate the tight ones best. It was SO DIFFICULT to decide what to keep and what to set aside. I did trust in the publisher's professional editor to help more in that respect, but after 25 years, all of the material suddenly became a "rush job" -- I was so confused. Over 100 pages were cut, so imagine that! I bet you are heaving a sigh of relief :-)
Some readers (including my own daughter) thought it was far too long to wait until chapter 26 for Dennis to finally "tell all" -- it took my daughter a full day of reading to get to that chapter and she became frustrated (even though she knew the story) and what I said to her I will now say to all: "Imagine how it felt for ME, in REAL time, to wait ten years for that chapter?" So, I didn't intentionally want to frustrate readers, but I wanted them to have a sense of my frustration, too.
I also thought it extremely important to explain how Dennis came to work for the Wagner family, to show what his relationship was like with the family, and to show his mistakes as real mistakes, not as excuses, and I apologize if it was difficult to decide what would be reader-friendly. Yes, as a first time author, I did leave it to professionals, and when I wanted one last shot at tightening, there was no time left to meet deadline. After 25 years of journal labor you'd think there was plenty of time to tighten, but this isn't your everyday, average story, thus, it always posed a real challenge, so, yes, I sometimes whined.
I truly appreciate your input and recognize what should've been avoided, but the repetition was NOT intended as an insult to readers' comprehension abilities. It happens that many of the important details applied in several different aspects of the story. I would NEVER have written a fiction story so loosely, but because this was a living journal, so to speak, I simply had to tell it as it happened. Truth is stranger than fiction. And now I feel that even my explanation is verbosebut it feels good for the opportunity to answer a grammar/writing-related part of a review. Thank you for reading Goodbye Natalie.
PS: As for those 30 years, we more than any wish it could have been sooner.
Thank you to all reviewers for taking the time to offer your thoughts and opinions of Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour, the story I always felt compelled to tell. Of course, as the writing author, I like the
5-star reviews best, but even the 1-star reviews and those inbetween give me a lot to think about, and I appreciate reader input. Following is the latest review and my comment afterward.
2-Star Review By CintiBonnie "bonnie8" (Cincinnati, Ohio United States)
This review is from: Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour (Hardcover)
A huge fan of Natalie Wood, I never found the previously published reports of her tragic death to ring true. Some of the information in Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour provides real food for thought and makes me wish that if the police will not reopen the case, a respected investigative news show would take a fresh and critical look. That having been said, this 331 page book contains about 31 pages - at most - of actual information. It is a compelling story told in the most tedious and boring fashion possible. I understand that Marti Rulli is not a professional author and was only in a position to write the book as a result of her access to the former Splendour captain but the publisher really should have heavily edited and tightened it up. I dozed off more than once trying to get through this. It was repetitive and unorganized and, at times, whiney. I believe that the book raises serious and legitimate questions about the suspicious death of this wonderful actress but Captain Davern would have been far more credible if he had spoken up sooner than almost 30 years after the fact.
Bonnie, thank you for taking the time to offer your honest opinion. I started the book in 1983 and worked it as a journal forward. I agree, it could have been tighter. I have read thousands of books and appreciate the tight ones best. It was SO DIFFICULT to decide what to keep and what to set aside. I did trust in the publisher's professional editor to help more in that respect, but after 25 years, all of the material suddenly became a "rush job" -- I was so confused. Over 100 pages were cut, so imagine that! I bet you are heaving a sigh of relief :-)
Some readers (including my own daughter) thought it was far too long to wait until chapter 26 for Dennis to finally "tell all" -- it took my daughter a full day of reading to get to that chapter and she became frustrated (even though she knew the story) and what I said to her I will now say to all: "Imagine how it felt for ME, in REAL time, to wait ten years for that chapter?" So, I didn't intentionally want to frustrate readers, but I wanted them to have a sense of my frustration, too.
I also thought it extremely important to explain how Dennis came to work for the Wagner family, to show what his relationship was like with the family, and to show his mistakes as real mistakes, not as excuses, and I apologize if it was difficult to decide what would be reader-friendly. Yes, as a first time author, I did leave it to professionals, and when I wanted one last shot at tightening, there was no time left to meet deadline. After 25 years of journal labor you'd think there was plenty of time to tighten, but this isn't your everyday, average story, thus, it always posed a real challenge, so, yes, I sometimes whined.
I truly appreciate your input and recognize what should've been avoided, but the repetition was NOT intended as an insult to readers' comprehension abilities. It happens that many of the important details applied in several different aspects of the story. I would NEVER have written a fiction story so loosely, but because this was a living journal, so to speak, I simply had to tell it as it happened. Truth is stranger than fiction. And now I feel that even my explanation is verbose
PS: As for those 30 years, we more than any wish it could have been sooner.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Splendour Family Cruises
Natalie in the Wheelhouse
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Natalie Wood's Young Daughters
If she were YOUR mother....PLEASE SIGN TODAY!
The comment from the 389th signer of the petition says it all:
Life is precious, if she was ur mother, daughter, wife, ect u would want the same. Just reopen the case
PLEASE SIGN TODAY FOR THE LATE, GREAT, NATALIE WOOD!
Blogger: Marti Rulli, Author: Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour (Natalie Wood) - Create Post
Life is precious, if she was ur mother, daughter, wife, ect u would want the same. Just reopen the case
PLEASE SIGN TODAY FOR THE LATE, GREAT, NATALIE WOOD!
Blogger: Marti Rulli, Author: Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour (Natalie Wood) - Create Post
Petition to Re-Open Natalie Wood Case: Sign on Mother's Day! Natalie Wood was a Wonderful Mother.
Reopen Investigation of Natalie Wood's death Petition
Thank you to all who have recently signed the petition. Natalie Wood was a loving mother who deserved to spend a full life with her daughters, and they deserved to have her around for decades longer than the short time they were able to share with her. When Natalie gave birth to her daughter Natasha, it illuminated her life. She knew, finally, the truest meaning of love. When she gave birth to her daughter, Courtney, she was amazed at her capacity to love and care for her cherished daughters. Although her parenting ideas may have gone in a different direction than had HER mother's, she learned so much more about her own mother through loving her own daughters.
At at party Natalie once co-hosted for Polish and Russian visitors to Los Angeles, she and her parents served as helpful translators for those in the group who couldn't speak English. It was a day Natalie bonded with her mother and saw how her mother was truly a person who seemed thrilled to help others, how she drew satisfaction from being part of a support team. Natalie saw many wonderful qualities in her mother and appreciated her mother, and she recognized that the differences she had with her mother are universal differences: the type most every mother/daughter relationship goes through when daughters become women. Natalie had hoped to make the change from young woman to adult as easy as possible for her beloved daughters, but she never got the chance.
These are Natalie's words:
As far as personal relationships go, I recall another line from "Splendor" - "I now see my parents as people, not as Mother and Father." My parents and I visit each other frequently, but we no longer are burdened with overwhelming ideas about what parents and children should be like.
Yes, Natalie had learned, long before her daughters were born that she would let them be who they were born to be. She wanted to guide them, to help them, and to nurture them, but she never would have interfered with their very beings. In her too brief time with her daughters, she left a forever imprint designed of nothing but love.
Thank you to all who have recently signed the petition. Natalie Wood was a loving mother who deserved to spend a full life with her daughters, and they deserved to have her around for decades longer than the short time they were able to share with her. When Natalie gave birth to her daughter Natasha, it illuminated her life. She knew, finally, the truest meaning of love. When she gave birth to her daughter, Courtney, she was amazed at her capacity to love and care for her cherished daughters. Although her parenting ideas may have gone in a different direction than had HER mother's, she learned so much more about her own mother through loving her own daughters.
At at party Natalie once co-hosted for Polish and Russian visitors to Los Angeles, she and her parents served as helpful translators for those in the group who couldn't speak English. It was a day Natalie bonded with her mother and saw how her mother was truly a person who seemed thrilled to help others, how she drew satisfaction from being part of a support team. Natalie saw many wonderful qualities in her mother and appreciated her mother, and she recognized that the differences she had with her mother are universal differences: the type most every mother/daughter relationship goes through when daughters become women. Natalie had hoped to make the change from young woman to adult as easy as possible for her beloved daughters, but she never got the chance.
These are Natalie's words:
As far as personal relationships go, I recall another line from "Splendor" - "I now see my parents as people, not as Mother and Father." My parents and I visit each other frequently, but we no longer are burdened with overwhelming ideas about what parents and children should be like.
Yes, Natalie had learned, long before her daughters were born that she would let them be who they were born to be. She wanted to guide them, to help them, and to nurture them, but she never would have interfered with their very beings. In her too brief time with her daughters, she left a forever imprint designed of nothing but love.
Happy Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day to all. For those of you with only memories of your mom, I hope all of your memories make you smile.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Gratitude and Awe
Thank you all for your emails and comments. I am eternally grateful to all of you for your support and concern for "Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour."
And, yes, I am aware of and in awe of the controversy displayed at various Internet sites and discussion forums but the awe stems not from those who question facts, but from those who insist upon distorting the polygraphed account of a witness to the tragic weekend of Natalie Wood's death and the documented facts about the Natalie Wood case. Oh, how I wish I had such time on my hands.
As I commented before, GNGS speaks for itself, but in regards to the legitimate question of why we "waited so long" I will explain that over and over. Why Dennis withheld his information from the authorities at the scene and for a few years after is PART of the story. The myriad reasons for his choices do not excuse him, but it certainly EXPLAINS HIM. He is human: he made mistakes, but he is willing to own up to those mistakes and move forward. He is willing to cooperate with authorities.
Through the years, I patiently waited for him to tell things at his own pace because I recognized his dilemma and utter confusion over the "right choice" to make. I never once coerced information from him but I did offer my opinion of what the right move should be and I constantly encouraged Dennis to contact authorities, but that sometimes created more confusion for Dennis. Of all the people you hope to stand behind truth and justice, you would expect it from the law, but they seemed unwilling to cooperate. That was easier for them. It would eliminate the need to admit their shortcomings. It was a Sheriff's Department handling Natalie's death and Sheriff's Departments can't afford blunders, and sometimes politics does get in the way of justice, and it lingers. That doesn't mean there is no hope for reopening the Wood case. In fact, there are high hopes for it and I'm not the only person working toward that goal.
The Internet adversaries are entitled to their thoughts and have every right to voice their opinions, but their bizarre tangents only enforce the important need to reopen the Natalie Wood case.
I've always been fond of proverbs, especially the ancient Chinese ones and I read a couple today that apply to my philosophy and pride in my accomplishments for Natalie's case.
Deer-hunter, waste not your arrow on the hare.
I keep my eye on the "deer" so all of the nonsense being posted here and there may sometimes awe me and frustrate me, but it never distracts me.
Another proverb I like is “Will not yield despite a hundred setbacks ”
Oh, we've experienced our setbacks and disappointments, but the goal here is bigger than all of us put together. It's justice for a woman who truly deserves it, as any one of us deserves in the face of such a tragic, convoluted event. Natalie paid with her life because she wanted a pleasant, social, lighthearted boat outing with her guest, friend and costar Christopher Walken. She deserves justice and there isn't an intimidation existing that will stop the decent, caring people from going after justice, even after all of these years.
The adversaries who think that the supporters of justice for Natalie are all conspiracy-minded fools are dead wrong. Amongst supporters are doctors, psychologists, sociologists, authors, lawyers and many, many decent, justice-oriented citizens who know that when it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it usually IS a duck.
Truly, I appreciate you and thank you. Please know I am hard at work and will provide updates as soon as available. If you have any questions, please ask them here.
And, yes, I am aware of and in awe of the controversy displayed at various Internet sites and discussion forums but the awe stems not from those who question facts, but from those who insist upon distorting the polygraphed account of a witness to the tragic weekend of Natalie Wood's death and the documented facts about the Natalie Wood case. Oh, how I wish I had such time on my hands.
As I commented before, GNGS speaks for itself, but in regards to the legitimate question of why we "waited so long" I will explain that over and over. Why Dennis withheld his information from the authorities at the scene and for a few years after is PART of the story. The myriad reasons for his choices do not excuse him, but it certainly EXPLAINS HIM. He is human: he made mistakes, but he is willing to own up to those mistakes and move forward. He is willing to cooperate with authorities.
Through the years, I patiently waited for him to tell things at his own pace because I recognized his dilemma and utter confusion over the "right choice" to make. I never once coerced information from him but I did offer my opinion of what the right move should be and I constantly encouraged Dennis to contact authorities, but that sometimes created more confusion for Dennis. Of all the people you hope to stand behind truth and justice, you would expect it from the law, but they seemed unwilling to cooperate. That was easier for them. It would eliminate the need to admit their shortcomings. It was a Sheriff's Department handling Natalie's death and Sheriff's Departments can't afford blunders, and sometimes politics does get in the way of justice, and it lingers. That doesn't mean there is no hope for reopening the Wood case. In fact, there are high hopes for it and I'm not the only person working toward that goal.
The Internet adversaries are entitled to their thoughts and have every right to voice their opinions, but their bizarre tangents only enforce the important need to reopen the Natalie Wood case.
I've always been fond of proverbs, especially the ancient Chinese ones and I read a couple today that apply to my philosophy and pride in my accomplishments for Natalie's case.
Deer-hunter, waste not your arrow on the hare.
I keep my eye on the "deer" so all of the nonsense being posted here and there may sometimes awe me and frustrate me, but it never distracts me.
Another proverb I like is “Will not yield despite a hundred setbacks ”
Oh, we've experienced our setbacks and disappointments, but the goal here is bigger than all of us put together. It's justice for a woman who truly deserves it, as any one of us deserves in the face of such a tragic, convoluted event. Natalie paid with her life because she wanted a pleasant, social, lighthearted boat outing with her guest, friend and costar Christopher Walken. She deserves justice and there isn't an intimidation existing that will stop the decent, caring people from going after justice, even after all of these years.
The adversaries who think that the supporters of justice for Natalie are all conspiracy-minded fools are dead wrong. Amongst supporters are doctors, psychologists, sociologists, authors, lawyers and many, many decent, justice-oriented citizens who know that when it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it usually IS a duck.
Truly, I appreciate you and thank you. Please know I am hard at work and will provide updates as soon as available. If you have any questions, please ask them here.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
"The Changeling" and Request to Sign Petition to Re-Open Natalie Wood Case.
Reopen Investigation of Natalie Wood's death Petition
It's important to sign now. Please take a minute to sign. The Natalie Wood death investigation is one of the worst in history, not only Hollywood history, but in the history of our nation..
If any of you have seen the movie "The Changeling" directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Angelina Jolie (brilliant acting), it's the true story (circa 1920's) where a single mother's son goes missing. Months later, the police announced they had found her son. As she excitedly awaits to be reunited with her 9 year-old, a young boy, shorter and "different" than her son steps off the train. She tries to tell the police (in California, no less) that the boy is not her son. The police are experiencing such positive reaction from the public for their "good work" in having found the boy that they ask the mother to not say anything at that moment, so she turns to face the media cameras with a perplexed and confused smile upon her face that is only later used against her as having accepted the boy. Into the following weeks, the police department continues to refuse her claims that the boy is not her son.
It's mindboggling that this story is true. It has such compelling twists and turns and will captivate you, and you will be infuriated by the time the police department has the woman institutionalized because she won't accept the boy who is NOT her son.
What does this have to do with signing the petition for Natalie? The story in "The Changeling" was such a scandal for the California police department that handled the case that the original name of the town it occured in changed the town's name. Why? They didn't want to be remembered as the town behind such a scandal. The police force was unwilling to accept truth and work toward true justice. The police in "The Changeling" were too embarrassed to ever admit their mistake until the entire force, by the power and fortitude of one mother, was abolished. The movie will awe you and make you angrier than you could ever imagine possible.
Cops are embarrassed when they bungle high-profile cases. Don't let the L.A. County Sheriff's Department get away with not bringing true justice to a famous legendary woman who deserves nothing less. Thank you for signing the petition for the effort to seek justice for the late, beautiful Natalie Wood.
It's important to sign now. Please take a minute to sign. The Natalie Wood death investigation is one of the worst in history, not only Hollywood history, but in the history of our nation..
If any of you have seen the movie "The Changeling" directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Angelina Jolie (brilliant acting), it's the true story (circa 1920's) where a single mother's son goes missing. Months later, the police announced they had found her son. As she excitedly awaits to be reunited with her 9 year-old, a young boy, shorter and "different" than her son steps off the train. She tries to tell the police (in California, no less) that the boy is not her son. The police are experiencing such positive reaction from the public for their "good work" in having found the boy that they ask the mother to not say anything at that moment, so she turns to face the media cameras with a perplexed and confused smile upon her face that is only later used against her as having accepted the boy. Into the following weeks, the police department continues to refuse her claims that the boy is not her son.
It's mindboggling that this story is true. It has such compelling twists and turns and will captivate you, and you will be infuriated by the time the police department has the woman institutionalized because she won't accept the boy who is NOT her son.
What does this have to do with signing the petition for Natalie? The story in "The Changeling" was such a scandal for the California police department that handled the case that the original name of the town it occured in changed the town's name. Why? They didn't want to be remembered as the town behind such a scandal. The police force was unwilling to accept truth and work toward true justice. The police in "The Changeling" were too embarrassed to ever admit their mistake until the entire force, by the power and fortitude of one mother, was abolished. The movie will awe you and make you angrier than you could ever imagine possible.
Cops are embarrassed when they bungle high-profile cases. Don't let the L.A. County Sheriff's Department get away with not bringing true justice to a famous legendary woman who deserves nothing less. Thank you for signing the petition for the effort to seek justice for the late, beautiful Natalie Wood.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A revised review at Amazon
"Creed" had written a wonderful review for Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour, and took it down to edit. Here's Creed's more precise 5-star review. (Thank you, I appreciate yours and everyone's support of the truth in GNGS).
This Amazon review is from: Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour (Hardcover)
For nearly three decades the facts of what happened to Natalie Wood on that fateful weekend back in Nov. of 1981 have been shrouded by a perfect storm of lies, deceit and incompetence. In this book Marti Rulli deftly peels back the layers to showcase once and for all the sad, troubling truth of the death of Natalie Wood.
It is the story as told by Dennis Davern, the skipper of Splendour, the 60 foot yacht owned by Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood. Author Rulli, chronicles for us the last 48 hours of Natalie's life and the 28 year struggle that she and Davern endured to bring to light the tragic, preventable and woefully wrongful death of Miss Wood.
When you read about how botched the investigation was, you will get angry. When you read about how Wagner used every trick in his aresenal to make sure that no one ever learned the truth about how Natalie died, you'll get even angrier and by the time you close the back cover of this book you will have gone through an emotional upheaval that will haunt you forever.
Natalie was found dead, floating face down, bruised and abraised in the cold, dark,unforgiving water that she feared her entire lifetime. To believe for one minute the tale of her trying to secure a noisy raft at the swim step on a cold, drizzly night on a 60 foot yacht (as asserted by Wagner) is beyond preposterous. She had a skipper to perform such mundane tasks and in fact it was this very mundane task that was already completed earlier that evening by Dennis Davern. Robert Wagner then offered the fairytale that Natalie had taken the dinghy out alone. A dinghy that she had never in her life started or even attempted to learn how to start. Then, wearing only a nightgown, a pair of socks, a red down jacket and missing an earring decided to go party-hopping on other boats moored at the marina. Just how stupid does Wagner think we are?
The Coronor at the time, Thomas Noguchi, ruled Natalie's death an accidental drowning. He concluded that she received her many bruises by struggling in the water and attempting to board the dinghy. The problem with that theory is that Natalie was found wearing her wool socks, socks that fall off very easily when kicking around in the water. Marti proved this simple but crucial point. Wool socks don't stay on feet that are submerged and Noguchi got it wrong. The haphazard, rushed and incomplete investigation never came close to uncovering the truth. To call this investigation competent and thorough is to whelp the English language until it begs for mercy. To say that no investigation occurred at all is so glaringly obvious it further begs the question " How much does it cost to cover up a murder? " God only knows.
This book covers alot of ground, it pulls into harsh focus the tragic if not criminal truth about Robert Wagner and his direct involvement with the anything but acidental death of a vibrant young woman and mother of two little girls.
*"May justice be done though the heavens fall"
This Amazon review is from: Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour (Hardcover)
For nearly three decades the facts of what happened to Natalie Wood on that fateful weekend back in Nov. of 1981 have been shrouded by a perfect storm of lies, deceit and incompetence. In this book Marti Rulli deftly peels back the layers to showcase once and for all the sad, troubling truth of the death of Natalie Wood.
It is the story as told by Dennis Davern, the skipper of Splendour, the 60 foot yacht owned by Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood. Author Rulli, chronicles for us the last 48 hours of Natalie's life and the 28 year struggle that she and Davern endured to bring to light the tragic, preventable and woefully wrongful death of Miss Wood.
When you read about how botched the investigation was, you will get angry. When you read about how Wagner used every trick in his aresenal to make sure that no one ever learned the truth about how Natalie died, you'll get even angrier and by the time you close the back cover of this book you will have gone through an emotional upheaval that will haunt you forever.
Natalie was found dead, floating face down, bruised and abraised in the cold, dark,unforgiving water that she feared her entire lifetime. To believe for one minute the tale of her trying to secure a noisy raft at the swim step on a cold, drizzly night on a 60 foot yacht (as asserted by Wagner) is beyond preposterous. She had a skipper to perform such mundane tasks and in fact it was this very mundane task that was already completed earlier that evening by Dennis Davern. Robert Wagner then offered the fairytale that Natalie had taken the dinghy out alone. A dinghy that she had never in her life started or even attempted to learn how to start. Then, wearing only a nightgown, a pair of socks, a red down jacket and missing an earring decided to go party-hopping on other boats moored at the marina. Just how stupid does Wagner think we are?
The Coronor at the time, Thomas Noguchi, ruled Natalie's death an accidental drowning. He concluded that she received her many bruises by struggling in the water and attempting to board the dinghy. The problem with that theory is that Natalie was found wearing her wool socks, socks that fall off very easily when kicking around in the water. Marti proved this simple but crucial point. Wool socks don't stay on feet that are submerged and Noguchi got it wrong. The haphazard, rushed and incomplete investigation never came close to uncovering the truth. To call this investigation competent and thorough is to whelp the English language until it begs for mercy. To say that no investigation occurred at all is so glaringly obvious it further begs the question " How much does it cost to cover up a murder? " God only knows.
This book covers alot of ground, it pulls into harsh focus the tragic if not criminal truth about Robert Wagner and his direct involvement with the anything but acidental death of a vibrant young woman and mother of two little girls.
*"May justice be done though the heavens fall"
My response to Simone
I looked at Simone's blog and shook my head in amazement at her posts. I thought about answering there in a comment but decided not to, after all, I have my own blog. Then, I wrote an email to her that I decided not to send. I am posting the email here for everyone to see. I thought I should answer her because of the way she is interpreting the details of my book. For those of you who do not know who Simone is, she's another Natalie blogger who is blogging about my book. Here is my unsent email to Simone:
Simone,
When I said Davern thought Natalie was in the dinghy, I meant that he thought it had to be the only possibility. He didn't believe at that moment that Wagner would have harmed Natalie or let her be in harm's way. Yes, he knew of the argument, but he never believed it would have gone as far as Natalie NOT being with the dinghy. You have said that it's possible Wagner believed she was with the dinghy, so why wouldn't it be possible for Davern to have thought that also?
You don't believe Davern changed Courtney's diapers? He did, many times. Those kids called him Uncle Dennis. He spent many days of every week for over seven years at the Wagner home. He loved Natalie and RJ. Those young girls adored him, as did Natalie, although she sometimes got mad at him. He was a young, cavalier guy, but he always took his responsibilites as their boat skipper seriously. He was the one who wanted to search for Natalie immediately. He is not the person who stood between Natalie's survival or death.
Wagner has said in his book that he and Dennis drank after Natalie went missing. Davern started thinking "crazy things" at that point...wondering WHY Wagner would not want to search for his missing wife. He still, however, thought Wagner's reluctance to do so meant that she was probably safe.
Dennis is well liked and respected by his friends and customers and he has a lovely family. It was my encouragement, after Wagner's annoucement of his autobiography, that convinced Dennis his truth was necessary, a now or never thing. Natalie's death is a piece of Hollywood history that needs to be corrected. I worked hard for Natalie, not for the men left behind on that fateful cruise.
It appears to me that you already knew what you were going to say about Goodbye Natalie long before you read the book (or possibly long after). To interpret what is in this book the way you have is downright senseless, and to use excerpts out of context is misleading.
Dennis did not use Wagner. Wagner used him. I was in constant touch with Dennis after Natalie died, and all he wanted was to leave California to get away from Wagner and all of the reporters hounding him. They were offering him fortunes to talk, but he didn't want to do that to upset the Wagner family. Natalie's daughters DID work on his mind, they were crying constantly. It tore Dennis apart. He was as torn as a person can get. He was willing to destroy his own life for the sake of not hurting those girls. It was his own guilt for having kept quiet for Wagner that drove him to finally speak his truth.
You are blaming the messenger, as several people do, but if you really want to know what happened the night Natalie died, the polygraphed account of Dennis Davern's is in the book you claim to have just read, Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour.
Take Dennis out of the entire scene, and Natalie still ends up drowned with a widower who has lied about the details of that night. Dennis was NOT an accomplice in any shape or form. He was a witness who wishes the police had taken him in instead of releasing him to RJ.
It was RJ who insisted Dennis not leave the Canon Drive home, and had his bodyguards follow Dennis and escort him for months after Natalie died, and then RJ insisted Dennis stay at his home for a year instead of moving in with his fiance. Dennis was very cautious about every move he made. He WAS afraid. He was an everyday guy thrust into the middle of one of the most mysterious Hollywood deaths on record. It's easy for people like you, in hindsight and non-involvement, to claim what you would've done or what Dennis should have done that night. But, in the middle of such a crisis, a person is apt to make mistakes. Dennis made many and he has lived with deep regrets over it, but he still feels CLEAN that he is NOT the one who allowed Natalie to perish. If that makes YOU feel dirty, that is a rather melodramatic reaction, and an unrealistic one at that.
Dennis is not a drunk or a "druggie" -- though he may have indulged in social, recreational usage 30 years ago, it was all done in the company of some huge celebrities who did the same thing on the social scene. It was never excessive nor ever affected his work ethic which has always been strong. Dennis has worked since he was a teenager and has never lived off anyone, including Wagner. He did, however, drink heavily AFTER Natalie died for about a year or so in an effort to erase the tragic event from his mind's eye. It didn't work. He called me and begged for understanding. I gave it to him. If you and others can't, that's your perogative, but please don't create a character in Dennis that doesn't exist. You have no right to do that based upon your assumptions. Dennis is a sensitive and honest person, one who doesn't deserve the brunt of shame for something he is not responsible for. He was prevented from stopping something he wasn't even sure was happening while it was happening. There's someone else who does know what was happening that night, and it isn't Christopher Walken.
Wagner and Walken would never agree to a polygraph, yet Dennis has let the authorities know that he is as willing to take one for them as he was willing to take one voluntarily. That speaks volumes. Dennis has no reason to set Wagner up as you suggest. What would be the purpose? Dennis and I are established. This book was not for fame and fortune, it was for Natalie. That is an absurd concept of yours and a few others, but most see it for its true intention. If we were after something frivolous we would've lied up a storm. We would've had Dennis doing more than consoling Natalie in that motel room. There was ample opportunity for embellishment and fabrication but we stuck to FACT.
Now please, if you can't accurately describe the details of my book, regardless of your opinions, please don't describe them at all. If the truth makes you feel so dirty it must be because you can't or won't accept the truth. For those who can, why don't you just let them decide for themselves? I am proud of what I did for Natalie. I am also not intimidated by nor surprised at your reaction. I have no reason to be. I have dealt with facts.
Sincerely, Marti Rulli
Simone,
When I said Davern thought Natalie was in the dinghy, I meant that he thought it had to be the only possibility. He didn't believe at that moment that Wagner would have harmed Natalie or let her be in harm's way. Yes, he knew of the argument, but he never believed it would have gone as far as Natalie NOT being with the dinghy. You have said that it's possible Wagner believed she was with the dinghy, so why wouldn't it be possible for Davern to have thought that also?
You don't believe Davern changed Courtney's diapers? He did, many times. Those kids called him Uncle Dennis. He spent many days of every week for over seven years at the Wagner home. He loved Natalie and RJ. Those young girls adored him, as did Natalie, although she sometimes got mad at him. He was a young, cavalier guy, but he always took his responsibilites as their boat skipper seriously. He was the one who wanted to search for Natalie immediately. He is not the person who stood between Natalie's survival or death.
Wagner has said in his book that he and Dennis drank after Natalie went missing. Davern started thinking "crazy things" at that point...wondering WHY Wagner would not want to search for his missing wife. He still, however, thought Wagner's reluctance to do so meant that she was probably safe.
Dennis is well liked and respected by his friends and customers and he has a lovely family. It was my encouragement, after Wagner's annoucement of his autobiography, that convinced Dennis his truth was necessary, a now or never thing. Natalie's death is a piece of Hollywood history that needs to be corrected. I worked hard for Natalie, not for the men left behind on that fateful cruise.
It appears to me that you already knew what you were going to say about Goodbye Natalie long before you read the book (or possibly long after). To interpret what is in this book the way you have is downright senseless, and to use excerpts out of context is misleading.
Dennis did not use Wagner. Wagner used him. I was in constant touch with Dennis after Natalie died, and all he wanted was to leave California to get away from Wagner and all of the reporters hounding him. They were offering him fortunes to talk, but he didn't want to do that to upset the Wagner family. Natalie's daughters DID work on his mind, they were crying constantly. It tore Dennis apart. He was as torn as a person can get. He was willing to destroy his own life for the sake of not hurting those girls. It was his own guilt for having kept quiet for Wagner that drove him to finally speak his truth.
You are blaming the messenger, as several people do, but if you really want to know what happened the night Natalie died, the polygraphed account of Dennis Davern's is in the book you claim to have just read, Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour.
Take Dennis out of the entire scene, and Natalie still ends up drowned with a widower who has lied about the details of that night. Dennis was NOT an accomplice in any shape or form. He was a witness who wishes the police had taken him in instead of releasing him to RJ.
It was RJ who insisted Dennis not leave the Canon Drive home, and had his bodyguards follow Dennis and escort him for months after Natalie died, and then RJ insisted Dennis stay at his home for a year instead of moving in with his fiance. Dennis was very cautious about every move he made. He WAS afraid. He was an everyday guy thrust into the middle of one of the most mysterious Hollywood deaths on record. It's easy for people like you, in hindsight and non-involvement, to claim what you would've done or what Dennis should have done that night. But, in the middle of such a crisis, a person is apt to make mistakes. Dennis made many and he has lived with deep regrets over it, but he still feels CLEAN that he is NOT the one who allowed Natalie to perish. If that makes YOU feel dirty, that is a rather melodramatic reaction, and an unrealistic one at that.
Dennis is not a drunk or a "druggie" -- though he may have indulged in social, recreational usage 30 years ago, it was all done in the company of some huge celebrities who did the same thing on the social scene. It was never excessive nor ever affected his work ethic which has always been strong. Dennis has worked since he was a teenager and has never lived off anyone, including Wagner. He did, however, drink heavily AFTER Natalie died for about a year or so in an effort to erase the tragic event from his mind's eye. It didn't work. He called me and begged for understanding. I gave it to him. If you and others can't, that's your perogative, but please don't create a character in Dennis that doesn't exist. You have no right to do that based upon your assumptions. Dennis is a sensitive and honest person, one who doesn't deserve the brunt of shame for something he is not responsible for. He was prevented from stopping something he wasn't even sure was happening while it was happening. There's someone else who does know what was happening that night, and it isn't Christopher Walken.
Wagner and Walken would never agree to a polygraph, yet Dennis has let the authorities know that he is as willing to take one for them as he was willing to take one voluntarily. That speaks volumes. Dennis has no reason to set Wagner up as you suggest. What would be the purpose? Dennis and I are established. This book was not for fame and fortune, it was for Natalie. That is an absurd concept of yours and a few others, but most see it for its true intention. If we were after something frivolous we would've lied up a storm. We would've had Dennis doing more than consoling Natalie in that motel room. There was ample opportunity for embellishment and fabrication but we stuck to FACT.
Now please, if you can't accurately describe the details of my book, regardless of your opinions, please don't describe them at all. If the truth makes you feel so dirty it must be because you can't or won't accept the truth. For those who can, why don't you just let them decide for themselves? I am proud of what I did for Natalie. I am also not intimidated by nor surprised at your reaction. I have no reason to be. I have dealt with facts.
Sincerely, Marti Rulli
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
A day of contemplating
Correction: This is the Delaware River (where I almost drowned). I compare my experience to the night Natalie Wood drowned, but it's difficult and disturbing to imagine what it would be like to be in the dark of night in the ocean. Natalie died a horrible death.
The start of Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour in 1983.
Many people ask, "What took so long?" If I could've had it my way, this compelling story would've been told in September 1983, but it wasn't as easy as wishful thinking. It took a "village" and I thank all who had a hand in that village throughout so many frustrating years. Some professionals in the literary world have called GNGS "the little book that could" -- I call it "the life of me."
A petition you may be interested in:
My friend sent me this link and I signed this petition. I do believe in free speech and the choice to believe what one wants to believe, but this page, has got to go. I just don't think Facebook should allow a gathering spot that reaches out to Americans and others to pray for the death of our president. Whether you voted for Obama or not, you've got to admit this is an extremist group that should not be given a public platform at a place like Facebook. A person who prays for another's death has serious mental health issues. No exceptions. Close to 30,000 have signed. Hope you are one of them.
Remove racist/hate group from Facebook! - The Petition Site
Remove racist/hate group from Facebook! - The Petition Site
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Excerpts from Amazon Reader Reviews and Interesting facts about book "Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour"
Best-selling True Crime Author, Ann Rule, recommends Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour at her web site recommended-reading page. http://www.annrules.com/
CNN's Nancy Grace supports reopening of Natalie Wood case. Justice/Cold Case Report:
Sister, yacht captain want Natalie Wood case reopened - CNN.com
A petition was started to reopen the Natalie Wood case: you can sign at:
Reopen Investigation of Natalie Wood's death Petition
From Sept. ’09 to Dec ’09, GNGS stayed popular in the top 10 to 20 of three Amazon categories, Actors and Actresses, Entertainment Biographies, and True Crime. Since Jan 2010, GNGS has been in the top 100 of those three categories almost daily. GNGS has also sold consistently in top 100 of two categories on KINDLE. GNGS has stayed between 95% and 80% of page viewers who purchase product.
As of April 24, 2010, GNGS has received 54 AMAZON reviews, 34 five-stars, 8 four-stars amongst them. Half of the reviews have comment threads attached. Ginger Blymyer’s review has over 560 comments (Natalie’s hairdresser who wrote “Hairdresser to the Stars”)
The following Amazon review excerpts are newest to oldest, and come from various parts of the USA. You can read these readers' reviews in full at
Amazon.com: Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour (9781597776394): Marti Rulli, Dennis Davern: Books
Thank you to all who've read Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour and to those of you who took the time to review this important book:
5-star review by C. Klyne (Gloucester Twp, NJ) – April 14, 2010 (1 Amazon review)
I couldn't put this book down once I started to read it. I hope that justice will be done.
4-star review by 70’s survivor (South Dakota, USA) – April 8, 2010 (45 Amazon reviews)
Great Book, Dennis & Marti. You did well.
5-star review by JM - March 29, 2010 (10 Amazon reviews)
Of all the written and stated accounts of Ms. Wood's death, Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour leaves me with the most justified feeling of accuracy.
5-star review by “elsbeth1234” (SF Bay Area) March 21, 2010 (5 Amazon reviews)
I had thought it would be a cheap book that was just thrown together -- how wrong I was. Rulli is an excellent writer and researcher, not to mention a dogged believer in the truth; together with Davern's disturbing memories of that night, a book of astonishing revelations was written that throws new light on what happened. I definitely recommend this book,
5-star review by Marianne - March 11, 2010 (1 Amazon review)
As I read "GNGS," I experienced a tremendous range of emotions--deep admiration and caring, dread, despair, shock, and outrage. …
Simply stated, "GNGS" has affected me like no other book I've read.
… Ms. Rulli has persevered in a most remarkable and admirable way, determined to shine a light on the life and death of a glorious lady who did not deserve her fate. Ms. Rulli has my utmost respect and gratitude for what she has done for Natalie and for what she continues to do for her.
5-star review By Ginger Sugar Blymyer (Meiner's Oaks, Ojai, California) Feb 26, 2010 – (8 Amazon reviews) (560 comments at this review…a discussion forum)
Reading this book I could understand that the things I sensed in my last conversation had propelled her (Natalie) to a need for change.
I believe what Dennis has described about the weekend.
5-star review By JenSam (New York, NY) - Feb 8, 2010 (3 Amazon reviews)
This book presents enough evidence to get you studying the case … it is intriguing information. You leave the book wanting more . . . And isn't that the best definition of a good book?
5-star review By Blessingwisher (Texas) – Jan 22, 2010 (6 Amazon reviews)
I read the Finstad book about Natalie … slower reading than this one. This book is very well written, contains some interesting anecdotes about the Wood-Wagner home, and their friends. I do recommend it highly, and I pray that it MIGHT lead to something that would force the foolish authorities to re-open this case.
4-star review By Ter (Ventura, CA) – Jan 13, 2010 (15 Amazon reviews)
I've read this book twice in a very few days, and I'm still left with a distraught and haunting feeling about it
(Most favorable review) 5-star review from M. Hill (Colorado)
Nov. 12, 2009 (89 Amazon reviews)
The story is now haunting me and I can't seem to shake it. I am struggling with the injustice and the lack of publicity regarding the new information. Will this compelling story which quietly slipped into view without much fanfare, soon slip away without any serious investigation? This book contains one of the most chilling examples in Hollywood history of apparent celebrity misconduct along with one of the clearest examples of what happens to us when we ignore our moral compass. I sincerely hope this isn't where the story ends.
5-star review By Jennroom (East Coast) – Nov. 9, 2009 (8 Amazon reviews)
I wish I ran the department that served no justice to this fabulous actress and mother of two. I'd whip them into shape. I'd have this frozen case thawed and I'd make them lap up every bit of shame they deserve due to their negligence
5-star review By Veiled Reviewer – Nov. 4, 2009 (2 Amazon reviews)
This is THEE story, documented, fact-checked, polygraphed, and told by an eyewitness to the events leading to Natalie becoming missing from a safe and secure yacht she thought was her escape from the busy Hollywood life.
5-star review By Sarah Diamond (USA) – Oct. 16, 2009 (1 Amazon review)
This was an extremely fascinating book. If you like a mystery, it's better than the Da Vinci Code. I have always followed the Hollywood scene pretty closely. If you, too, like celebrities, their lives and mysteries, you will love this book.
4-star review from Deston Lee “Yorkistrose” (Rockford, IL) – Oct 12, 2009 (5 Amazon reviews)
Authorities need to reopen this case and do some REAL investigating this time. … I recommend reading the book with an open mind. My first impression when I picked it up was that perhaps this Davern just wanted to make some money off celebrity. However, after reading the book I am convinced that has little if anything to do with it.
5-star review By Natalie (USA) – Sept. 21, 2009 (53 Amazon reviews)
I have read every book that has ever been written about Natalie Wood. It has been rumored for years that Davern was writing a book. I am so glad Davern and Marti Rulli finally finished the telling task.
5-star review By Gateway0052 – Sept. 7, 2009 (1 Amazon review)
…having spent time on boats myself… I FELT the sea breeze, I HEARD the water splashing against the hull, I SAW the ocean and the beach.
5-star review By N. suarez (Los Angeles) – Sept. 7, 2009 (1 Amazon review)
This book is mostly important because it points out the TERRIBLE and HORRIBLE job that was done in the investigation of Natalie Wood's death. Rulli does a great job with her amateur investigator role.
5-star review By LoriC (Morristown, TN) – Sept. 6, 2009 (2 Amazon reviews)
GNGS is honest, heartfelt, and riveting. Marti Rulli's and Dennis Davern's determination to tell Davern's firsthand account, in its entirety, of the Natalie Wood tragedy met with predictable resistance at all levels: … But the authors did not compromise the truth--it resounds across every page.
5-star review By Jeanne (USA) – Sept. 1, 2009 (53 Amazon reviews)
Cold Case Squad....where are you?
5-star review By Tony Grace – Aug. 26, 2009 (1 Amazon review)
I can honestly say that no other book has ever given me the physical reaction I experienced while reading this one. I was literally shaking at certain points.
5-star review By “meandmypal” – Aug. 21 2009 (5 Amazon reviews)
Many books have been written about Natalie Wood, the movie star. Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour gives us Natalie Wood, the woman …
This book is filled courage, heart and truth. Natalie deserves no less. It's long overdue.
5-star review By “moviemusicman” – Aug. 21 2009 (13 Amazon reviews)
Once I started, I could not put the book down until I finished.
Thank you Marti Rulli for giving Natalie a voice. A voice that rings with absolute truth. We who love the lady are indebted to you.
CNN's Nancy Grace supports reopening of Natalie Wood case. Justice/Cold Case Report:
Sister, yacht captain want Natalie Wood case reopened - CNN.com
A petition was started to reopen the Natalie Wood case: you can sign at:
Reopen Investigation of Natalie Wood's death Petition
From Sept. ’09 to Dec ’09, GNGS stayed popular in the top 10 to 20 of three Amazon categories, Actors and Actresses, Entertainment Biographies, and True Crime. Since Jan 2010, GNGS has been in the top 100 of those three categories almost daily. GNGS has also sold consistently in top 100 of two categories on KINDLE. GNGS has stayed between 95% and 80% of page viewers who purchase product.
As of April 24, 2010, GNGS has received 54 AMAZON reviews, 34 five-stars, 8 four-stars amongst them. Half of the reviews have comment threads attached. Ginger Blymyer’s review has over 560 comments (Natalie’s hairdresser who wrote “Hairdresser to the Stars”)
The following Amazon review excerpts are newest to oldest, and come from various parts of the USA. You can read these readers' reviews in full at
Amazon.com: Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour (9781597776394): Marti Rulli, Dennis Davern: Books
Thank you to all who've read Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour and to those of you who took the time to review this important book:
5-star review by C. Klyne (Gloucester Twp, NJ) – April 14, 2010 (1 Amazon review)
I couldn't put this book down once I started to read it. I hope that justice will be done.
4-star review by 70’s survivor (South Dakota, USA) – April 8, 2010 (45 Amazon reviews)
Great Book, Dennis & Marti. You did well.
5-star review by JM - March 29, 2010 (10 Amazon reviews)
Of all the written and stated accounts of Ms. Wood's death, Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour leaves me with the most justified feeling of accuracy.
5-star review by “elsbeth1234” (SF Bay Area) March 21, 2010 (5 Amazon reviews)
I had thought it would be a cheap book that was just thrown together -- how wrong I was. Rulli is an excellent writer and researcher, not to mention a dogged believer in the truth; together with Davern's disturbing memories of that night, a book of astonishing revelations was written that throws new light on what happened. I definitely recommend this book,
5-star review by Marianne - March 11, 2010 (1 Amazon review)
As I read "GNGS," I experienced a tremendous range of emotions--deep admiration and caring, dread, despair, shock, and outrage. …
Simply stated, "GNGS" has affected me like no other book I've read.
… Ms. Rulli has persevered in a most remarkable and admirable way, determined to shine a light on the life and death of a glorious lady who did not deserve her fate. Ms. Rulli has my utmost respect and gratitude for what she has done for Natalie and for what she continues to do for her.
5-star review By Ginger Sugar Blymyer (Meiner's Oaks, Ojai, California) Feb 26, 2010 – (8 Amazon reviews) (560 comments at this review…a discussion forum)
Reading this book I could understand that the things I sensed in my last conversation had propelled her (Natalie) to a need for change.
I believe what Dennis has described about the weekend.
5-star review By JenSam (New York, NY) - Feb 8, 2010 (3 Amazon reviews)
This book presents enough evidence to get you studying the case … it is intriguing information. You leave the book wanting more . . . And isn't that the best definition of a good book?
5-star review By Blessingwisher (Texas) – Jan 22, 2010 (6 Amazon reviews)
I read the Finstad book about Natalie … slower reading than this one. This book is very well written, contains some interesting anecdotes about the Wood-Wagner home, and their friends. I do recommend it highly, and I pray that it MIGHT lead to something that would force the foolish authorities to re-open this case.
4-star review By Ter (Ventura, CA) – Jan 13, 2010 (15 Amazon reviews)
I've read this book twice in a very few days, and I'm still left with a distraught and haunting feeling about it
(Most favorable review) 5-star review from M. Hill (Colorado)
Nov. 12, 2009 (89 Amazon reviews)
The story is now haunting me and I can't seem to shake it. I am struggling with the injustice and the lack of publicity regarding the new information. Will this compelling story which quietly slipped into view without much fanfare, soon slip away without any serious investigation? This book contains one of the most chilling examples in Hollywood history of apparent celebrity misconduct along with one of the clearest examples of what happens to us when we ignore our moral compass. I sincerely hope this isn't where the story ends.
5-star review By Jennroom (East Coast) – Nov. 9, 2009 (8 Amazon reviews)
I wish I ran the department that served no justice to this fabulous actress and mother of two. I'd whip them into shape. I'd have this frozen case thawed and I'd make them lap up every bit of shame they deserve due to their negligence
5-star review By Veiled Reviewer – Nov. 4, 2009 (2 Amazon reviews)
This is THEE story, documented, fact-checked, polygraphed, and told by an eyewitness to the events leading to Natalie becoming missing from a safe and secure yacht she thought was her escape from the busy Hollywood life.
5-star review By Sarah Diamond (USA) – Oct. 16, 2009 (1 Amazon review)
This was an extremely fascinating book. If you like a mystery, it's better than the Da Vinci Code. I have always followed the Hollywood scene pretty closely. If you, too, like celebrities, their lives and mysteries, you will love this book.
4-star review from Deston Lee “Yorkistrose” (Rockford, IL) – Oct 12, 2009 (5 Amazon reviews)
Authorities need to reopen this case and do some REAL investigating this time. … I recommend reading the book with an open mind. My first impression when I picked it up was that perhaps this Davern just wanted to make some money off celebrity. However, after reading the book I am convinced that has little if anything to do with it.
5-star review By Natalie (USA) – Sept. 21, 2009 (53 Amazon reviews)
I have read every book that has ever been written about Natalie Wood. It has been rumored for years that Davern was writing a book. I am so glad Davern and Marti Rulli finally finished the telling task.
5-star review By Gateway0052 – Sept. 7, 2009 (1 Amazon review)
…having spent time on boats myself… I FELT the sea breeze, I HEARD the water splashing against the hull, I SAW the ocean and the beach.
5-star review By N. suarez (Los Angeles) – Sept. 7, 2009 (1 Amazon review)
This book is mostly important because it points out the TERRIBLE and HORRIBLE job that was done in the investigation of Natalie Wood's death. Rulli does a great job with her amateur investigator role.
5-star review By LoriC (Morristown, TN) – Sept. 6, 2009 (2 Amazon reviews)
GNGS is honest, heartfelt, and riveting. Marti Rulli's and Dennis Davern's determination to tell Davern's firsthand account, in its entirety, of the Natalie Wood tragedy met with predictable resistance at all levels: … But the authors did not compromise the truth--it resounds across every page.
5-star review By Jeanne (USA) – Sept. 1, 2009 (53 Amazon reviews)
Cold Case Squad....where are you?
5-star review By Tony Grace – Aug. 26, 2009 (1 Amazon review)
I can honestly say that no other book has ever given me the physical reaction I experienced while reading this one. I was literally shaking at certain points.
5-star review By “meandmypal” – Aug. 21 2009 (5 Amazon reviews)
Many books have been written about Natalie Wood, the movie star. Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour gives us Natalie Wood, the woman …
This book is filled courage, heart and truth. Natalie deserves no less. It's long overdue.
5-star review By “moviemusicman” – Aug. 21 2009 (13 Amazon reviews)
Once I started, I could not put the book down until I finished.
Thank you Marti Rulli for giving Natalie a voice. A voice that rings with absolute truth. We who love the lady are indebted to you.
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