Questionable Methods
According to author Suzanne Finstad, Maria took her daughter aside and pulled out a jar with a live butterfly inside. She then started to tear the wings off, which sent Natalie into hysterics. As soon as Natalie started to cry, Maria called out, “She’s ready!” and pushed her in front of the camera. Well, sad or not, the stunt worked.
Natalie Wood, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn. Photo By 20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
Natalie was cast alongside Orson Welles in the film, she signed a long-term contract with 20th Century Fox. The child actress was known for being hardworking and professional, even though she was only seven years old at the time. In fact, she was so good that she learned other people’s lines as well as her own, earning the nickname “One Take Natalie.”