Book Description
Natalie Wood was a Hollywood icon, beloved by millions for her performances in such classics as Miracle on 34th Street, West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause. Married for the second time to actor Robert Wagner and the mother of young children, Natalie had everything to live for. Her bizarre death on or near the yacht Splendour on a chilly November evening in 1981 has been shrouded in mystery. In his recent best-selling memoir Pieces of My Heart, Robert Wagner told his version of what happened on the yacht Splendour on the night his wife died. But is Wagner’s version accurate? Who knows the truth? Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour is the result of a decades-long investigation by journalist Marti Rulli and Dennis Davern, Natalie’s friend, confidant and captain of the Splendour on that controversial night. Painstakingly researched and written from the heart, here is an in-depth examination of Natalie Wood’s life—and death.
My thoughts
“Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour” is more a book about one woman’s obsession about getting this story to print and help her friend (the skipper of the yacht) rid himself of his demons caused by Natalie Wood’s death than it is a story of Natalie Wood’s life and death. Not that there is anything wrong about that. When skipper, Dennis Davern told his friend Marti Rulli what happened that night, it took 28 years to finally get it in print and published. It is an intriguing story of the possibilities of what happened that night and the fear that faced Davern if he told the public of what he saw. I got immersed in the book, but didn’t feel like I got anything from their account of the events leading to and after Wood’s death.
6 comments:
I feel quite differently. I don't see this account as "possibilities" - it is from an eyewitness who passed a polygraph test. And Rulli's evidence testing is astounding. I have no doubt in my mind after reading "Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour" about what happened to Natalie on that tragic night. No doubt whatsoever!
I was astounded by the revelations made in this book. For me the polygraph held a great deal of weight. I know that people say the are not used in court but the are used by law enforcement as a means of acquiring the truth. I wonder how the detectives who worked on case feel about this book. Wagner should be, at the very least, questioned about what was revealed in this book.
Where are the TV talk shows? I thought for sure we would see a lot of that.
I loved Natalie Wood and always wondered what really happened to her. I have no doubt whatsoever now that she was murdered by a jealous drunken Robert Wagner. How can he live with himself? That beautiful woman died in such a terrifying way, knowing she would never see her daughters again! It is an outrage that he will probably never be brought to justice.
Dan,
Someone emailed me your blog. And, I saw your review of "Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour" at Amazon. I just wanted to stop in to thank you for posting your review. I really appreciate your comments. You are right, I did become obsessed for many years. It was a struggle to say the least, and although I did want to help clear my friend Dennis Davern's name (many people accused him of many things!)I really gave it my all to remain objective. I admit, sometimes it was difficult, but I would spend ample time rewriting so my personal feelings were kept in check. I'm sure some bias slipped through, though. So, thank you for reading GNGS and thank you again for posting a review. I appreciate your feedback and I really like your blog. It's a very courteous thing you do, reviewing various books. I also like the set-up of your blog. Keep reading. And reviewing. Sincerely, Marti Rulli
Please help in the effort to bring justice to Natalie Wood. Please review and sign the petition at:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/natalie-wood.html
Thank you so much.
HI ALL I love the book i have read them ALL for the firt time i have such mixed feelings about RJ
if DD is telling the truth than RJ needs to be questioned for sure !
it was terrible that beauiful and kind lady.... sure he was scared hew would be throw out of canon dr
and on is own at some 50 plus yrs old .....Iam mad at him!!!hope his kids read it !!!!
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