

The Hard Hollywood Life of Kim Novak — 10th anniversary restoration
11 snips Apr 2, 2024
Kim Novak, a top box office draw in the late 1950s and the iconic star of Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo, shares her journey through the painful constraints of Hollywood. She dives into her struggles with beauty standards, societal pressures, and her personal life, including a secret romance with Sammy Davis Jr. Novak reflects on the impact of fame, and her emotional reappearance at the Oscars, revealing the intricate balance between desire and defiance in her pursuit of identity amid the relentless scrutiny of celebrity culture.
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Novak's Early Career
- Kim Novak, born Marilyn Novak, began her career as a model and odd-job worker.
- Discovered while posing with refrigerators, she transitioned to acting despite initial reluctance.
Studio Transformation
- Harry Cohn, head of Columbia, forced Marilyn to change her name, capped her teeth, and bleached her hair lavender.
- Novak resisted the name change, keeping her family name.
Insecurity and Control
- Novak's altered appearance made her insecure, a feeling exacerbated by Cohn's intimidation tactics.
- He controlled his stars by reminding them of their supposed replaceability.