Another old Hollywood trope: expecting us to believe that nobody notices that Natalie Wood is gorgeous until this scene. And to those who didn't like Rosalind Russell's acting -- you should listen to the recordings of her singing the score before they decided to dub her.

Orry-Kelly was the costume designer for the film; what a talent he was. This cobalt blue gown is beautifully structured to make a very petite Natalie Wood look voluptuous.

I love the way that films made in the 1960s ALWAYS look like the 1960s, regardless of the era being portrayed. Ancient Rome? Bouffants and blue eye shadow. Gay Nineties? Bouffants and blue eye shadow. 1930s? Bouffants and blue eye shadow!

Just as I arrived for grad school at Duke University in September of 1981 they were filming "Brainstorm" at some Duke campus locations and at the Research Triangle Park. Leaving the library one evening I saw a bunch of limousines in front of Duke Chapel pulling away from the curb. "You just missed Natalie Wood," a student on the sidewalk said. Dang. I've always thought she was one of the great beauties of the silver screen, if not the best actress. "The Great Race" is still my favorite of her movies.

Rosalind Russell’s overwrought acting and scene crunching emoting almost did this film in for me. Even Karl Malden, who could also burn up a stage, couldn’t keep up with her. But towards the end, Natalie Wood utterly transformed and blissfully stole the show. One of my favorites.