We Have To Be Straight About This. Now, I’m Beginning To Feel Something. I Am Beginning To Feel Excited.

Natalie Wood photographed by Earl Leaf at the Thalians Beach Ball, Malibu Beach, 1956.

Natalie Wood rehearses “the Sweetheart Tree,” on set of “the Great Race,” 1965.

Natalie Wood photographed by Earl Leaf in her Laurel Canyon home, 1957.

Dominick, I really owe you an apology, you know? I really do. All this time, I’ve been blaming you for everything. You ruining my life and all that. Well, that’s over now. You know why I’ve never been able to leave home? I just suddenly figured it out. Very complicated. I was scared. And I’m not scared anymore. I’m terrified. Funny?

NATALIE WOOD as Angie Rossini in Love with the Perfect Stranger (1963) dir. Robert Mulligan

Natalie Wood prepares for the 34th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony, 1962. Allan Grant for Life Magazine.

“She had a great sense of humor. Her humor was cute, really cute. There was nothing stuck-up about Natalie. She never had the attitude of a movie star—and I have seen some mean divas. I was spoiled by Natalie. Like I said, she was my first star. I thought all the rest of the stars would be like that, but they never were. They never were. . . .”

Photographer Michael Childers on Natalie Wood.

Natalie Wood in Italy, c. 1967.

Natalie Wood photographed by Earl Leaf attending the Thalians Beach Ball. Malibu Beach, 1956.

Natalie Wood photographed for “the Great Race,” 1965.