I Loved Her in the Movies

Memories of Hollywood's Legendary Actresses

By: Robert Wagner

Narrated by: Robert Wagner

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Film and television actor and New York Times best-selling author Robert Wagner's memoir of the great women movie stars he has known.

In a career that has spanned more than 60 years, Robert Wagner has witnessed the twilight of the Golden Age of Hollywood and the rise of television, becoming a beloved star in both media. During that time he became acquainted, both professionally and socially, with the remarkable women who were the greatest screen personalities of their day. I Loved Her in the Movies is his intimate and revealing account of the charisma of these women on film, why they became stars, and how their specific emotional and dramatic chemistries affected the choices they made as actresses as well as the choices they made as women.

Among Wagner's subjects are Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Gloria Swanson, Norma Shearer, Loretta Young, Joan Blondell, Irene Dunne, Rosalind Russell, Dorothy Lamour, Debra Paget, Jean Peters, Linda Darnell, Betty Hutton, Raquel Welch, Glenn Close, and the two actresses whom he ultimately married, Natalie Wood and Jill St. John. In addition to offering perceptive commentary on these women, Wagner also examines topics such as the strange alchemy of the camera - how it can transform the attractive into the stunning and vice versa - and how the introduction of color brought a new erotic charge to movies, one that enabled these actresses to become aggressively sexual beings in a way that that black and white films had only hinted at.

Like Wagner's two previous best sellers, I Loved Her in the Movies is a privileged look behind the scenes at some of the most well-known women in show business as well as an insightful look at the sexual and romantic attraction that created their magic.

©2016 Robert Wagner (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“He’s wooed - and worked with - some of the biggest actresses of his time, including Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and his one-time wife, Natalie Wood. And now Robert Wagner has written a memoir, titled I Loved Her in the Movies, as a tribute to some of his favorite screen stars. ‘I had this gift of meeting wonderful women and working with a lot of them and it was amazing,’ says the 86-year-old actor. ‘They made an imprint on me and on all of our lives.’” (Liz McNeil, People)

“Screen legend Robert Wagner has worked with some of the greatest female screen personalities of all time, from Marilyn Monroe to Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor to his former wife, Natalie Wood, and more. Wagner’s new memoir, I Loved Her in the Movies, pays tribute to his talented female counterparts over his 60 year career.... Wagner discussed the issue of gender equality in Hollywood and admitted that it’s difficult for women, even in more recent years. ‘It’s a business that’s run mostly by men. And - I think when you become successful and you become - an object - they’re put upon so much...it’s hard to separate all of that.’” (ABC News)

“Wagner’s engaging memoir offers a warm embrace for the many women who helped him establish a successful career as a leading man or inspired him professionally and personally in their unforgiving business.... I Loved Her in the Movies is a delight in large part because Wagner can see...great female stars from a fan’s perspective. They were his colleagues and friends - some were his lovers - but he never lost his admiration for the women who could move an audience to cheers and tears.... What might be most surprising in the pages of I Loved Her in the Movies is the streak of feminism that runs through his reflections on stardom, the nature of talent and the demands of a Hollywood career. Actors had it tough in the studio system, but actresses endured even more in a business that, Wagner notes, was run by and for men who expected women to be submissive. Those who were not, like Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland, paid an even higher price for daring to rock the boat.” (Douglass K. Daniel, Associated Press)

Thank you Robert Wagner!

what a treasure Robert Wagner his sharing all of his memories of his many years in Hollywood. I thoroughly enjoyed this he's a great narrator and I'm so glad to have read this book. long live classic movies!

What a Life!

Compared to Mr. Wagner what a boring life I've led. If you enjoy stories about the glory days of Hollywood you will love this book. You're a wonderful storyteller, Mr. Wagner. Please, please tell us more about those days. You are a treasure and must document more first person stories. Thank you

A wonderful tribute!

Robert Wagner is definitely the one to write about these amazing women in film! His sixty plus years in the showbiz world has given him great insight. He tells the stories of many legendary actresses and includes his own experiences with them during his movie making days. I enjoyed this book!

A Surprise!!!!

What a beautiful tour with a thoughtful and kind guide through a maze of characters.

Nice gossipy book about beautiful people

Some nice reminiscences about some of Hollywood's leading ladies told by someone who knew and admired them. Only complaint -- wanted more. C'mon Bob, We know you have another book or two in you. Thanks!

Icing on the Cake

This was the 3rd book of his I listened to, and I do recommend You Must Remember This as first, and Pieces of My Heart as 2nd, and this as 3rd. If you love Hollywood's Golden Era history, then these three books are a MUST for you. The history details are sheer delight and good entertainment. Robert Wagner makes his three books go over the top in listening enjoyment. He seems to know exactly what OLD HOLLYWOOD fans want to hear and what is interesting to us. I have recommended these three books to everyone.

. Loved it!

Honest but respectful behind the scenes stories of all our favorites. One story lead to the next and I couldn't stop.

Looking back into greatness...

A great window onto the past and a wonderful take on the future.
Actress or not this is a must .

Thank you, RJ!

Loved it! Mr Wagner writes about the Hollywood years when I was young. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Good but not Great!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you want to listen to a light book divided into episodes of Wagner's romantic conquests then this is the one for you!

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Loved Her in the Movies?

I waited and waited for his chapter on Natalie Wood but it was disappointing.

What does Robert Wagner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I'm sure a lot of personal emotions came through in his reading as he remembered each happening and each "leading lady". However, there were times he was a little difficult to understand. His age also came through!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

It's worth a credit.