Do you ever wonder what became of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars? Are they still alive? What are they doing now? Even if they were before your time, their stories still echo through film history.
I grew up watching old movies with my dad, so I’ve always had a soft spot for the stars of earlier eras. Today, it feels like younger generations don’t have the same connection to these films, which makes discovering a great documentary about them even more special.
I love documentaries about interesting, multi‑faceted people. Some are actors, some are not.
I saw Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, about the famous actress and brilliant inventor who co‑patented a “Secret Communication System” during WWII that used frequency hopping – the basis for modern Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Her scientific contributions weren’t recognized until later in life. I think it’s because of her that I was able to navigate my way from Vancouver to Palm Springs in my vehicle – so I thank her for that.
Another amazing documentary is My Mom Jayne, about Jayne Mansfield – directed by her daughter, actress Mariska Hargitay, who was only 3 years old and survived in the backseat of the car that took her mother’s life. Who knew that Mansfield was a highly intelligent and musically gifted polyglot, fluent in five languages (English, German, Italian, Spanish, Hungarian), a classical pianist and violinist, who performed on The Ed Sullivan Show, and a self-proclaimed genius with a reported IQ of 160+? When she was in Hollywood, the studio was more interested in her physical measurements than her IQ.
Which brings me to the U.S. premiere of a documentary I just saw at the Palm Springs International Film Festival called Kim Novak’s Vertigo.
Like Lamarr and Mansfield, Kim Novak was far more complex than the studio system allowed her to be. Unlike them, she’s very much alive.
For those not familiar with the name, Novak was a major Hollywood star in the 1950s, and for a few years she was Columbia Pictures’ top box‑office draw. She was Columbia’s answer to Marilyn Monroe, and the studio groomed her as their glamorous blonde star. She headlined major films like Picnic (1955), The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), and Pal Joey (1957).
She became iconic for Hitchcock’s *Vertigo (1958), which is now considered one of the greatest films ever made. In fact, her dual role is still studied in film schools.
She stepped away from Hollywood in the mid‑1960s, saying she wanted to protect her sense of self and avoid the pressures that had consumed other stars of her era.
This poignant film, directed by Alexandre O. Philippe (who was in attendance and whose childhood memory includes the same wallpaper seen in Vertigo), shows Novak looking back on her life as an actress, poet, and painter in an intimate portrait. Novak left at the top of her game. She bought a beautiful home, sight unseen – perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. She now lives a secluded life surrounded by many animals. She’s 92. She’s an extraordinary painter (link below).
She recently received The Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Venice International Film Festival.
In the end, what moved me most was seeing a woman who chose peace over fame, art over applause, and authenticity over expectation. Her story lingers quietly, like a final frame that stays with you long after the credits roll.
It made me wonder how many other stars from Hollywood’s golden age have stories we’ve never heard.
If you’ve seen any great documentaries about classic film icons, I’d love to hear your recommendations.
*Vertigo – Here’s the official synopsis:
As the mysterious Madeline (and her doppelgänger Judy) in Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, Kim Novak delivered one of the most mesmerizing and enigmatic performances in Hollywood history – cementing her legacy as one of her generation’s most independent and iconic talents. Shortly thereafter, she left it all behind to pursue a quieter, more purposeful life in the Pacific Northwest. It’s here that filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe finds her: at home, ready to share the swirling, singular memories of her life as an actress, poet, painter, and person. This intimate portrait of artistic resilience and personal reflection is a stream-of-consciousness stunner.
Director Alexandre O. Philippe was in attendance for a Q&A after the screening.
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