Natalie Wood Loved Her Mother and Her Daughters

Natalie Wood loved her mother, who she affectionately called "Mud" and, although published variations of Natalie's relationship with Mud might leave one believing there was a deep, dark side to their relationship, the mother/daughter affinity was rather comfortable and always respectful in "real life." I have read Natalie's very own words about her mother, and Natalie always comprehended the true extent of her mother's part in having helped establish her young show business career. But it was Natalie herself who made her own decisions after she reached young adulthood. Natalie wisely accepted the downside of stardom by considering the option: was it worth giving up completely? For Natalie, no. She had a lot to offer by way of her natural talent. So she chose to go on hiatus only when she felt it necessary for her personal life. Motherhood was always her priority, and she just as wisely chose to not return to a demanding part until her youngest was in school. Natalie was a conscientious mother and a loving daughter, always. Being a Mom was the most important part of her life...the only unconditional love she was ever given, just as she loved her mother unconditionally. The truest tragedy for Natalie is that she was robbed of motherhood, grandmotherhood, and all the joys that go along with it. In an idealistic "afterlife" Natalie today is walking through a beautiful field of flowers, setting up for a quaint picnic in a soft grassy spot as the sun shines brightly through a warm breeze, and she is holding hands with the woman she always loved; her mom. They are smiling and excited about the coming birth of their grand and great granddaughter.

To all ....

Yahoo's Article on Courtney Wagner Arrest

http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/now/natalie-wood-daughter-courtney-wagner-arrested-cocaine-heroin-165334086.html This article is a bit more detailed, but also includes misinformation about the status of the Natalie Wood case. I look forward to an official answer in the Natalie Wood case reinvestigation.

Courtney Wagner Arrested

Courtney Wagner Arrested: Natalie Wood's Daughter Charged With Cocaine, Heroin Possession

In this Huffington Post article, a news source for AOL news highlights on a daily basis, I am stunned at the inaccuracies offered in this article. First of all, the article tags the name Jack Wagner while celebrity Jack Wagner has absolutely nothing to do with the Wagner/Wood family. In the article there's a comment of, "like mother like daughter" which is extremely disturbing. Natalie Wood was a woman of class and dignity, and never involved in an illegal drug arrest with a gun involved. What is happening to journalism? Who writes for these sources we depend upon for accurate news? In this article, from the Huffington Post no less, we are told that the reopening of Natalie's case last November has been closed and determined an accidental death. NOTHING has been determined in regard to the case being reopened last November, and NOTHING has OFFICIALLY been announced on the determination of the results of the new investigation. What was released in January 2012 from a department spokesperson was misleading, and when retracted, totally ignored by the sources the public relies upon for accuracy in reporting. I fear for the future of journalism based on the standards of today's reporting. The Natalie Wood case is an ongoing investigation.

As for Courtney Wagner being arrested under these type circumstances--drugs and guns involved--well I hope she realizes, and soon, that she's living dangerously and will make immediate changes in her life. She's a beautiful young woman still, with a much healthier future to look forward to than remaining with a man so irresponsible he would shoot a gun in her home. Thank goodness it was not a tragic scene.   

FishbowlLA article on Natalie Wood new investigation

Author Marti Rulli Revisits Natalie Wood Media Frenzy - FishbowlLA

This article by Richard Hogan is responsible coverage and interest in Natalie Wood's case since a few confusing statements were released from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department in January of this year. Natalie Wood's case is receiving the proper reinvestigation it deserves, which means a proper investigation takes time.


There will also be an article about Natalie Wood in the June edition of Marie Claire (British magazine edition) which will be available in May.

Latest 2-star review at Amazon

I appreciate reviews, even this one by Rebelmomi posted at Amazon on April 8th.

I have been a lover of Natalie Woods since I saw Rebel in 1970, when I was 10 years old. I remember when Sal was murdered, and then the curse of Rebel continued with the drowning of Nat in 81. What made me mad about this book was that it was one long tease. What did the skipper witnessed that night took 40 chapters to reveal. It could have been said in 5. The bottom line is they did a crappy job with the investigation, and nobody seems to care. Its 30 years later, and I doubt that Natalie will ever get justice.

The above review is obviously from someone who appreciates Natalie Wood and her work, and the reviewer realizes the injustice surrounding Natalie's mysterious drowning. I do take slight issue with the opinion the book is a tease because that was certainly not my intention, but I realize how some people may view it that way. I wrote the story the way I experienced the story.

Most readers can finish a book (and GNGS is standard length) in a few days or less. I wrote the book so that readers might feel the frustration I experienced for decades. Not being able to pull the entire truth from Dennis for close to a decade was excruciating. I knew from his comments something terrible had happened but I wasn't privy to details for many years. Talk about experiencing a tease! A reader can have the facts within a day from GNGS, but it took decades for me. I apologize if the frustration is actually experienced while reading, but it's also indicative that I conveyed the frustration actually experienced for years. 

I did my best to understand why Dennis just couldn't spit it out, but it was hell knowing he had such a tragic story so consciously buried but would trust no one with it. The frustration a GNGS reader might feel is exactly the frustration I wanted them to feel so that they might fully understand what a true chore it was to stick with a mission for facts to bring Natalie some degree of justice. It was also an effort to reveal the injustice bestowed upon Natalie in so many ways, from so many directions. She didn't deserve the mere theory, gossip, and rumor surrounding her death, but that was all she ever got based upon the prevailing lies of those present on the fateful cruise. Natalie's case was not investigated until now, and unlike this reviewer, I have faith Natalie will receive more justice at the end of the day.

My initial intention had been to expose and correct as much as I possibly could while going about my  everyday common life. I pushed and pulled until I learned the details of the covered-up truth, and then I did my best to substantiate what I had learned. I appreciate every opinion, every review, but to have experienced the past thirty years has really been something indescribable. I am proud of my genuine efforts for justice for Natalie, and will always remain so.

Enjoy the holiday weekend

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter/Passover weekend. Baseball is officially underway, and it should be a very interesting season ... may the best team win!

Christopher Walken would buy a yacht!

This news from last week was emailed to me and I thought I'd post it. It occurred during the mega millions frenzy. I can picture the light bulb maybe going off in Walken's head as he walked away from answering this question, asking himself, "Why on earth did I answer that way?"

But, it's actually a NORMAL response, indicating an INNOCENT response. Although I will always maintain the three surviving men of the fateful Nov. 1981 cruise should have been forthcoming with the authorities, I also remain convinced there is but one person of the three survivors whose lies are inexcusable.

Walken felt he had a lot to lose, being the up and rising star of the day. Dennis felt a total family would be destroyed as he had experienced problems processing between right and wrong for many comprehensible reasons. Each, however, should have simply been honest and not tried to protect anything or anybody, as truth eventually finds a way of unfolding.

In any case, Walken's answer may seem insensitive or inappropriate, but it's a rather normal response. Here's the question and answer report from TMZ (who incidentally is also inaccurately reporting that the subsequent investigation has been ruled accidental, as no official ruling on the new investigation has yet been reached. When it is, I will let you know.)

from TMZ, March 31:
Christopher Walken either has a dark sense of humor ... or a bad memory ... 'cause the guy says his Lotto dream is to buy a yacht. Sounds great ... until you remember he was on board Robert Wagner's infamous rented yacht when Natalie Wood mysteriously fell overboard and drowned back in 1981. Walken was never named as a suspect in the subsequent death investigation ... in fact, nobody was ... and investigators eventually ruled her death as an accident. »


- TMZ Staff   News from TMZ

   

The Hollywood Reporter article published last year: Natalie Wood case



Columbus Circle, NYC



I took this photo of Columbus Circle from the green room of the CNN studio at Time Warner building.

Natalie Wood Mystery: File Sent to Sheriff Revealed Telling Clues (PDF Document) - The Hollywood Reporter

When I was in New York City November 18th late last year, the first day after the news of the reopening of the Natalie Wood case broke, I was inundated with appointments for the entire day, and when not being interviewed in studios, there were phone call interviews in-between. I had found a nearby hotel manager kind enough to offer me a back, quiet room in their lobby to use for making necessary phone call interviews in-between TV appointments, and in the middle of an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, I was cut off and couldn't get the reporter back on the phone. I never even knew if my partial interview would be used. Today, I came across this article, and I had not seen it until today. It's one of the best that had been published. Thank you to The Hollywood Reporter.

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"The Artist" Wins Best Picture on Oscar Night

I watched the Oscars last night even though I haven't yet seen any of the movies nominated for best picture. Many friends, however, who've seen "The Artist" told me how thrilled they were with the entertaining movie, so I was glad to see it win. It's Bérénice Bejo who I think is so stunning, and I think that's because she reminds me of Natalie Wood. (I've heard other people say the same.) Of course, there is only one Natalie, but there's something so sparkling about this actress. 

I was wondering if the Academy might highlight, or even mention "West Side Story" being its 50th anniversary just passed, but they didn't. If they had, I think many people would've recognized similarities between the two actresses. There are moments I've seen of the movie "The Artist" where the resemblance is striking.   

Goodbye Whitney Houston: Thank you again, Andrea Peyser

Supposed friends enabled Whitney Houston’s steady decline toward death - NYPOST.com

The best article I read about Whitney Houston's tragic death was written by NY Post Columnist, Andrea Peyser (link above). Andrea also wrote the most profound article about the reopening of the Natalie Wood case late last year.


Today, Whitney will be buried near her father in Westfield, NJ. May she rest in peace.

Whitney was found in a bathtub on Feb. 11th, and in her hotel suite were people -- her small entourage of employees and friends who traveled with her and helped to care for her. Sometimes even caring people are at a loss for "what to do." It wasn't until Whitney seemed to be taking extra long in the bathroom that someone in her entourage broke inside to investigate why Whitney was not answering knocks at the door. Understandably, Whitney's hired help would not be invited into a bathroom while Whitney bathed. It makes perfect sense that they would not have had reason to insist upon watching her bathe, unless they had actually witnessed Whitney consuming more pills than healthy before bathing. We don't know those circumstances. Andrea Peyser makes a good point, but often, employees and friends are simply unaware of or do not realize the extent of what is happening around them.

A cause of death has yet to be determined for Whitney's death, but most people expect to learn in the near future that drugs are to blame. Toxicology reports can require weeks, if not months.

When iconic stars pass tragically, there is always lots of speculation and rumors. Nancy Grace is taking some heat from media colleagues with her suggestion of possible foul play involved in Whitney's death. The one thing Whitney is getting is a full investigation. We should await the final, official answer, just as we await the final, official answer in Natalie Wood's death 30 years later because Natalie was not given a full investigation back in 1981.

Just as Whitney's people were not privy to her private bathroom habits, nor was Dennis Davern privy to the Wagner's master stateroom. When Dennis overheard trouble stemming from the room, he did knock on the door to see if he could help. He was ordered away. This is a point where an employee is confused over how far to take the next interference. Do you overstep the boundary? Is the person you care for in danger? One has no way of knowing, and often, such as in Whitney's and Natalie's cases, you do not realize how grave a given situation is until it's too late.

A Huffington Post article today says: To the world, Houston was the pop queen with the perfect voice, the dazzling diva with regal beauty, a troubled superstar suffering from addiction and, finally, another victim of the dark side of fame.

Often, the dark side of fame, in the end, revolves around IMAGE. It is the single most important personal concern of people of great fame. They will defend themselves, lie, hide, create whatever it takes to not be seen as a fallible human being. When Whitney was asked in an interview about tens of thousands spent on drugs, Whitney's answer was, "Show me the receipts." The answer speaks for itself. It is such a sad situation, one that does not deter from Whitney's super talent, let alone protect her from common pitfalls while living. Celebrities are people, too. But in many cases, they are people unable to let go of a facade that is long past transparent to those looking in.

Last night, I heard on Bill Maher's show, guesting Dr. Drew, about how sleeping is a common problem for celebrities. Michael Jackson had been seeking a good rest when his life was taken by a drug. His doctor was found accountable for administering the drug, despite it was Michael who had lain himself down on the bed and expected his hired doctor to honor his command. Elvis, just as Natalie Wood had told Dennis, was the person who looked for multiple doctors to increase the dosages he wanted readily available on his nightstand, to enhance a good night's sleep.

Perhaps entertainers' minds are so wrapped-up in scheduling, appearances, appointments, obligations, and yes, image, that they truly are restless around the clock. They need to assist a night of peace. Too often,  sleeping pills lead to wake-up pills, and wake-up pills lead to added aid in another form of a pill.
Stardom, in any class, is a hard gig to follow when it comes to real life. The one thing stardom and fame will never replace, for grieving family members, friends and fans, is the unfathomable way or reason the person they loved was taken.

To Whitney's family and friends, she was just "Nippy," a nickname given to her as a child. She was a mom who will be dearly missed. To Natalie's family and friends, she was also a mom, a sister, an aunt, friend, and a daughter, always to be missed. We will most likely learn what happened to Whitney. We may never know exactly how Natalie Wood ended up drowning in the Pacific, but we do know what prompted the situation of Natalie's mysterious night.

Just as there are tributes to Natalie to this day, such as the "Yesterday's Angel" tribute in NY City in 2009, there will always be tributes to Whitney. Those who knew these icons, along with the public fans, will celebrate their lives rather than linger on their tragic deaths. Whitney sold over 50 million records in our country alone, won six Grammys and dozens of other awards. Her tumultuous marriage to Bobby Brown was her personal life the public saw as her downfall, but Whitney hoped for her comeback. In the midst of striving for it, she was found dead in a bathtub. In the midst of Natalie's return to film work, she was found dead in the ocean. Yet, these iconic women, despite their personal strife, are celebrated for their contributions to our cultural society, and to society itself. These are historic women. There are few of them. We learn details about them from the media. Therefore, we often do not really know the most private of details, and in some cases, it's none of our business, but sometimes, well, it is our business.

When I started writing the GNGS manuscript, the first editor to read a first draft in 1983 told me that if the argument of the bottle smashing aboard the Splendour was the extent of the argument, then it should remain information for only the ears that were involved. At that time, I had a suspicion the bottle smashing was not the end of the argument, and it took me years to learn more details. A person can only sift through what is learned, and sometimes is left with information that is of concern. That's when you hope you can turn to the law or professionals for help. It took a long, long time to reach that point, but October 2011 will remain one of the most important months of my life, when finally, professional help was available for information I had gathered throughout the decades in regard to Natalie's mystery death. The information involved eye and ear witnesses who always hoped for one thing: to be believed.

As a tribute to Whitney, our governor (amidst some complaining) has asked the state of NJ to raise flags only to half staff today. He claims Whitney's cultural contribution to the world is worthy of the recommendation. To me, I see no harm in it, although I understand the reasoning behind those opposed to the tribute. Just as there will never be another Natalie Wood, there will never be another Whitney Houston. These women are unique. If I were raising a flag today, it would not be raised to the top. I would honor Whitney Houston, and not hold it against her that she is exactly what we all are: human.


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Wishing All a....

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Natalie Wood's Stateroom: Article with photos of Inside Splendour

Natalie Wood death: Pictures from inside the yacht where actress was on night she died | Mail Online

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New Article: Interview with Lana Wood

James Bond star Lana Wood: She bedded Sean Connery and expected Hollywood to fall at her feet, but after five husbands, she h...

Interview with Randy Walker airing Sunday, Jan. 22 at noon, WSGE.org

WSGE 91.7fm - Public Affairs

The program is hosted by WSGE's Public Affairs Producer, Randy Walker, who has anchored the station's talk radio format for the past ten years.  The show airs Sundays from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. and my interview will be at the top of that hour.

Randy interviewed me in 2009, and I am pleased to be talking with him again. Hope you will listen. 

 (21) Roundtable's Sunday Edition

Natalie Wood case is not closed, nor given an official secondary ruling

The Natalie Wood case is very much alive and being investigated thoroughly. The information being reported that the case has been shut down and ruled accidental again is simply not accurate. What the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department this week announced is that the case is still considered an accidental drowning because that's what the initial ruling stipulates, meaning the initial ruling has not yet been changed. There has been no secondary ruling of accidental drowning as being reported. You would think media would do a bit more investigating, but I suppose in this "fast-food" world of news delivery, that level of journalism is a dying breed. CNN has reported this week with information closest to the truth of the matter, and I commend them for it.

The specific question the media should be asking the spokespeople from the LASD is, "Has the new investigation RULED and FILED the new findings an accidental drowning?" They would learn the answer is, "No," as there will be no definitive ruling until AFTER the new investigation is completed. Detectives are still working the case and will continue to do so for as long as it takes to investigate completely.

Last week, Steve Whitmore, who is the son of the late actor, James Whitmore, and a media spokesperson for the LA Sheriff brought me and my book, "Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour," into his statement that the case has been filed a cold case and ended, further stating the reopening of the case in November 2011 was a two-day deal, based on a publicity stunt for my book, a statement I find insulting more to the department itself than to my efforts to bring Natalie Wood justice. I assure everyone, as I told Inside Edition in an interview yesterday, but this part did not air: I do not have the power to have a case of this magnitude reopened for an hour or for a year. It simply is not true that Natalie Wood's case was reopened for book publicity or for the 30th anniversary of her death. We had handed the LASD solid information and they deemed it worthy enough information to reinvestigate the case thoroughly, which they are still doing. They have plenty of "new information" on their desks and in their hands.


Within a day of Whitmore's announcement, he retracted it. That's because the case is still very much alive.

This week, William McSweeney, Chief of Detectives at the LASD, announced the case has revealed no new information but will remain open for the "small questions" lingering that need to be addressed. As I also told Inside Edition yesterday, "I had no idea there is such a thing as a 'small question' in a homicide investigation." And that's exactly what this new investigation is: a thorough homicide investigation with no filed conclusion as of yet, despite what you are hearing in the news. 

As for why there is conflicting and changing accounts stemming from the LASD is anyone's guess. From all I know and have learned, answers I've received make perfect sense, but I will not comment at this time, nor speculate on the reasoning behind these recent reports. As I await the final ruling of the new investigation, I have complete faith in the ongoing investigation. When a final ruling is available, I will comment then. I highly doubt it will be in the near future, and if it is, then it's Natalie Wood who doesn't receive what she deserves, once again.

TMZ Report

Natalie Wood Case -- Boat Captain Suggests Cops Could Be Withholding Info | TMZ.com

Inside Edition Report

News - Dead End in Natalie Wood Case - InsideEdition.com

Natalie Wood case: Watch Inside Edition and TMZ Tonight

Watch Inside Edition and TMZ tonight for facts about what's been going on in the news regarding the Natalie Wood case.

CNN article

Officials yet to come across new information in Wood case - CNN.com