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Classic Film Actress, Kim Novak, Invokes Godwin's Law of Rape

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (24)

k-novak-vertigo.png

No matter how many times a Hollywood star is forced to apologize for a poor choice of words, another one seems to be waiting in the wings to repeat the same mistake. The latest? Kim Novak — who starred alongside Jimmy Stewart in Alfred Hitchock’s Vertigo. She’s upset because the magical, enchanting, winsome silent film about the silent film era, The Artist, had the AUDACITY to borrow the love theme from Vertigo in its score.

In fact, Novak was so upset about it that she took out a full-page ad in Variety to essentially report a crime.

“This film could and should have been able to stand on its own without depending upon Bernard Hermann’s score from Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo to provide it more drama … “Even though they did give Bernard Herrmann a small credit at the end, I believe this kind of filmmaking trick to be cheating. Shame on them!”

I don’t necessarily disagree with that statement. It was an outstanding film, but it wouldn’t have been any less outstanding if it hadn’t borrowed from Vertigo.

However, Novak forfeited her argument when she resorted to this analogy:

I want to report a rape. I feel as if my body — or, at least my body of work — has been violated by the movie, The Artist.”

You wouldn’t think it would bear repeating, but it never seems to sink in: That word doesn’t mean what you think it means, Hollywood. In fact, I encourage Novak to go ahead and report a rape. Call the police. Bring them over with their pens and pads, and explain to them that you would like to file charges against a movie for violations of a sexual nature.

The amount of disbelieving laughter that she elicits should clear up any confusion for her.


(Source: THR)









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Comments

Oy. What's it to her, anyway? It's not as if she wrote or performed the score.

Can we blame senility? (and excess of money, if she took out a full page ad for it)

Posted by: Sara Tonin at January 9, 2012 3:13 PM

I don't know if we can blame senility, but we can certainly point a finger at her lack of perspective.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at January 9, 2012 3:24 PM

"4. an act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation; violation"

Although, she does sort of ruin that definition by opening with "I'd like to report a..."

Posted by: Tyler Foster at January 9, 2012 3:26 PM

Vertigo was askin' for it, walkin' around lookin' all slutty and shit ...

Posted by: Slash at January 9, 2012 3:32 PM

Vertigo is one of the best scores in film history. I will say that. I once went to a test screening that used it as its temp track, and my most emphatic note on the feedback form was to keep the music as close to that tone as possible. I haven't seen The Artist yet. As for Kim Novak and her foolish analogy, I can understand how she thinks The Artist might be less for its recycling, but if it's not even a crime in terms of fair use (i.e., they credit Herrmann and obviously had legal permission to utilize the cue), then comparing it to a real crime makes the analogy extra foolish.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at January 9, 2012 3:38 PM

1. So, The Artist ripped off a musical bit from Vertigo?

2. It ripped off silent movies in general.
3. It ripped off black and white movies in general.
4. It ripped off Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.'s look.
5. It ripped off Fred Astaire's dance numbers.
6. It ripped off every version of A Star Is Born ever made.

7. Wasn't that the whole point of the movie?

Posted by: BWeaves at January 9, 2012 3:53 PM

Kim Novak is still alive?

Posted by: OldSchool60 at January 9, 2012 4:18 PM

And not as old as you'd think, OldSchool60. She's 79.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at January 9, 2012 4:24 PM

Yep, according to Wikipedia, still alive and living with her husband on a ranch "where they raise horses and llamas. Novak has two stepchildren."

I'm thinking one of the "stepchildren" is Taylor Llamautner and the shame is causing her to randomly lash out.

Posted by: Groundloop at January 9, 2012 4:31 PM

I was about to ask the same question OldSchool60. She's one of the actors, along with Doris Day, that I mistakenly assumed was long gone.

Posted by: Lexana at January 9, 2012 4:32 PM

Olivia de Havilland is 96.

Her sister, Joan Fontaine, is 95.

Mickey Rooney is 92, and only ever gets asked about Judy Garland now.

Doris Day is a spring chicken at 88.

When I am old, I will poke any young whippersnapper in the eye, who refers to me as blank years young. The Dowager Julien refers to spry old people, other than herself, as " a real going concern".

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at January 9, 2012 4:44 PM

(The Dowager Julien has more than a touch of battle axe about her.)

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at January 9, 2012 4:45 PM

So let me get this straight: any piece of music used in a film featuring Kim Novak is sacred and untouchable? For ever and ever, amen? I'm guessing this will hold true for locations, wardrobe and what-not as well? I'd understand the underlying sentiment had she composed the piece and lost the rights but this is arrogant, ignorant and completely off the wall.

Posted by: cinekat at January 9, 2012 4:58 PM

Not that it matters or is relevant in any way, but I never liked her much as an actress anyway, including in Vertigo. So there!

Posted by: jimbob at January 9, 2012 5:07 PM

Groundloop, I think you mean it's causing her to randomly llash out.

Posted by: The Fatling at January 9, 2012 5:21 PM

Waah. Cry to Queen. They got sampled by Vanilla Ice. Welcome to the 21st century.

Posted by: Protoguy at January 9, 2012 5:24 PM

The latest? Kim Novak — who starred alongside Jimmy Stewart in Alfred Hitchock’s Vertigo.

Wow, 1933 was a helluva birth year for actors/actresses/performers:

James Brown
Carol Burnett
Michael Caine
Tim Conway
Dom Deluise
Marty Feldman
Robert Goulet
Jayne Mansfield
Willie Nelson
Julie Newmar
Tom Skerritt
Roman Polanski... dammit, should've seen THAT coming...

Posted by: branded at January 9, 2012 5:37 PM

Sorry but I have to invoke the Codger Law here. Once you've reached a certain age you're allowed to say anything you want. It doesn't have to make sense, mean anything to anyone besides yourself, or even be particularly relevant to well anything. Which is the case here. We have an old actress most of us thought was dead talking about a movie most if us had never heard of.

Posted by: logan at January 9, 2012 6:44 PM

Don't be an idiot. The term "rape" has been used for centuries as a synonym for any horrible violation. I don't think that in any way diminishes the horror of rape (the actual crime), but it is an expression, especially for people of Kim's generation. I'm sure she wasn't equating this "theft" of the score with a real rape.

Posted by: maxwell edison at January 9, 2012 6:47 PM

I now understand why the Mexican side of my family hides their elders in the back of the house.

Posted by: duckandcover at January 9, 2012 7:22 PM

Dangit! I've already turned in my Dead Pool list for 2012.

Posted by: MRod at January 9, 2012 9:02 PM

"4. an act of plunder, violent seizure, or abuse; despoliation; ... "

"Rape" as property crime?

Isn't this particular implication a tad archaic? Womenfolk are many things. Property ain't one of them.

Posted by: BierceAmbrose at January 10, 2012 1:34 AM

If you've ever seen Kim Novak act it is quite possible she's been dead since the 50's.

Posted by: kirbyjay at January 10, 2012 10:29 AM

Dear Ms. Novak,

Please go fuck yourself. (If you still can at your age.)

Posted by: Jill at January 11, 2012 5:05 PM