HEAD OVER HEELS

A daughter’s tribute to two legendary actors.

Reading a book about two beautiful, rich, and famous people finding love may not be many readers’ cup of tea, but Melissa Newman, an artist and teacher, beautifully captures their lives together and shows off their famed love affair. The author made the wise decision to let photos of her parents do most of the talking, and the fact that the bulk of the photos were taken by some of the 20th century’s greatest photographers—including Richard Avedon, Gordon Parks, and Philippe Halsman—only adds to the appeal. An Avedon photo shows Newman and Woodward sharing a lighthearted moment when it looks like Newman is about to chew on her nose. One Parks photo shows them as the epitome of cool on the streets of Manhattan’s East Village in 1959. At times, Newman and Woodward are playful; at others, they gaze at each other adoringly; more often than not, they look like they are simply enjoying each other’s company. “My parents,” writes the author, “were inexorable, they were forever…It wasn’t always a fairy tale, but I wanted to remember the best, dreamiest, most sublime part, and that part just happens to be true.” Aside from the introduction, she peppers the rest of the book with quotes from her parents to explain their relationship and their careers. “Paul is not only a great actor—and that’s all I can do, is act,” Joanne says. “He can write, he can produce and direct, race cars and run corporations, and he’s a pretty good husband, too.” Notes Paul, “No one sings like Woodward, or acts like Woodward, or bitches like Woodward or kisses like Woodward or talks like Woodward, or talks as long as Woodward, or wipes water out of her eyes like Woodward, or smiles like Woodward or cusses like Woodward.”

A showcase of a singular romance that also serves as a broader demonstration of love.