Would you believe anyone had anything bad to say about our darling Nancy ? Well, they did. In all fairness, particularly since Nancy's reputation for being temperamental is legendary, I've decided to print some of the not so nice comments made about Nancy over the years. Of course, I am somewhat biased, and therefore cast a jaundiced eye on them. One thing that cannot be disputed is Nancy's talent. You won't find negative reviews about Nancy's thespian abilities because her talent has never been an issue. All agree she was a very talented woman.
I believe Nancy was an independent gal who knew exactly what she wanted and went after it. She was no push-over and that's to her credit. She was a dame whose early education came from the school of hard knocks. Growing up in a large family, Nancy was used to asserting herself to accomplish her goals, and when she went to Hollywood and started making a name for herself, she continued her assertive ways. Of course, this type of behavior did not endear her to the powerful Hollywood moguls, directors and the like. Even some of the make-up artists and photographers didn't care for what they perceived as her " high-hat " ways. What follows are some not-so-nice items printed about Nancy over the years.
In David Stenn's Clara Bow biography " Running Wild " he wrote of Nancy, when complaining of Clara's poor treatment by Paramount and the belief by Ben Schulberg that Clara's name alone would still entice audiences into theaters.
Some photographers felt Nancy wasn't genuine in her "look " and accused her of attempting to immitate Marlene Deitrich. Sure, I've seen some photos of Nancy where she looked a bit
Deitrich-esque or even Colbert-like. I think it was quite common in Hollywood. Many stars had their make-up and hairstyles changed all too frequently to reflect the current fashion trends, and/or for the sake of a particular role. From the beginning of film, actresses have changed their hairstyles, hair color, make-up, eyebrow contour, and their wardrobes at a drop of a hat. Have other actresses of Nancy's day been accused of " trying to look like Marlene " when they plucked their brows and pulled back their hair ? I don't think so!! I feel these accusations were unfair to Nancy. I suppose critics will say that during the skit in " Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round " where she affects the look and accent of Greta Garbo, that she was actually trying to BE Garbo!! --sb
Several years after Edward Sutherland directed Nancy in " Dance of Life ", he had this to say about his experience directing her. " If you told her to turn her head a bit to the right she'd move it to the left, or upward or downward. She'd never do what she was asked. She delighted in exasperating people. "
Richard Lamparski, author of the " Whatever Happened to ? " book series said of her, " To the end of her life she continued either to totally beguile people or to alienate them completely."