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Holden + Novak Personal Feelings

posted 18 years ago by WhWm
15 replies | jump to latest

I read where Kim Novak stated in an interview that when she was doing PICNIC that she was intimidated by William Holden. It states in the book GOLDEN BOY that William Holden referred to her as a pain in the a**.

It also said in GOLDEN BOY that Holden commented "Instead of reciting her rosary she needs to rehearse her lines (something like that)." I think it is commendable that the book stated Kim sought spiritual guidance to help play her role.

Does anyone know why these two felt this way at all?

[–] Skullerfly 18 years ago

There's an article about this movie on the Turner Classic Movies website. If you don't want to go read it, here's an excerpt that explains your question:

"From the start, Novak felt insecure around the high-voltage cast, which led to her becoming withdrawn and moody. Holden was insecure, too, worried that he would look too old next to her. When he tried to get her to loosen up, she shrugged him off. As a result, they barely spoke on the set. Logan's (director) frustrations with her mounted throughout filming. At one point, he reportedly punched her in the stomach to get her to show some emotion on screen."

[–] splendor 17 years ago

This is an interesting quote. I don't know about the "punched in the stomach" part. But I can honestly say I did NOT love her in this. I just felt she had NO emotion. Maybe he should have hit her harder.(kidding)

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] WhWm 17 years ago

What did Kim Novak say regarding Bill?

[–] SpitfireIXB 17 years ago

Splendor: Did you like her in any movies? I ask this because, generally speaking, many consider this to be one of her best performances. As for no emotion, I am a refugee from the 50s and things were very different then. In those days, young women (and men) would often hide their emotions and feelings. However, this is certainly NOT the case with this movie. It drips with emotion, passion and sensuality.

You would have to be dead, or almost dead, not to feel the emotions in the dance scene and following love scenes. I think this movie is very sensual, emotional and passionate when compared to modern day movies. The cast played their parts with a passion seldom seen, then or now. Hell, that wasn't dancing, it was foreplay!

If, at the time, it became known that Josh Logan punched Kim, he wouldn't have lived long enough to direct another movie. Although at the same time, the studio was mentally assaulting Kim daily. The one main thing I admire most about Kim, above all others, is that she flatly refused to audition on the casting couch to get any movie role. And that was the way most movies were cast in those days (and probably still are today).

Despite the rumours (often outrageous lies about her early private life), Kim was always a class act, retained her moral standards and to this day is one of the world's most beautiful women.

[–] WhWm 17 years ago

If you don't mind my asking, how do you know Kim Novak never went the direction of the casting couch? I super respect her if she didn't, but, I have never read one way or the other.

[–] SpitfireIXB 17 years ago

alobster777:

I am from that era and at the time it was well known by everyone in the movie industry and on the Hollywood scene; fellow actors, directors, producers, film editors, cinematographers, gossip columnists, and movie media (both friends and enemies) that Kim flatly refused ALL advances from studio heads, directors and producers to order to obtain any movie role. Also, this is known from Kim's own comments and the interviews, comments and biographies by the movie executives during that period and my own personal knowledge of her.

Kim was always a very classy lady. And she still is.

[–] mojo2004 17 years ago

Well I remember the last time TCM showed "Strangers When We Meet" after the movie the young Mankiewicz guy said Kim Novak was dating someone with connections.I can't remember if it was the director or not.Anyway she had enough ego to try and give Kirk Douglas actimg pointers. He made it known to her and the boyfriend what she could do with her pointers.She shows the same emotion in all her films to me.The most uncomfortable looking woman on screen in love stories,in a number of pictures.

[–] Jason_Radley 13 years ago

Hmmm, maybe it's just me but the dance scene did nothing for me.

[–] S_i_n_g_i_n__R_a_i_n 13 years ago

not just you !

Me=^.".^=oW

[–] Noir-It-All 12 years ago

I understood that Kim was quietly rebellious. She grew up in an inner city neighborhood in Chicago with African-Americans and thought nothing of dating Sammy Davis, Jr. She did her thing.

"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne

[–] Heyas87 12 years ago

Yep me neither. Maybe because i felt Holden was way too old for her and for the role and I wasnt really buying the love story. They didnt really have chemistry together. If they had cast Paul Newman however (who played Hal on broadway) i think it would have had a very different effect, at least for me personally.

[–] WhWm 12 years ago

Not for us. We LOVE William Holden in this role above ANYONE else that could have been cast. He was so manly and gorgeous.

[–] AndersonWhitbeck 12 years ago

I have always wondered why Columbia did not re team Novak and Holden who created movie magic in this film

[–] yabbadabbadu2 11 years ago

I always thought Holden was too old for the role, BUT then again, he was awfully convincing. The look on his face during their dance was what the role needed, and I don't know of a younger actor during that time period who could have reeked of sex the way that he did. So whatever his personal feelings, he was pretty darn good at hiding them!