When Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice hit theaters, it turned heads and got everyone talking with its bold take on relationships.
While the movie shocked audiences, few noticed a hidden detail about Natalie Wood — a subtle choice designed to protect a personal secret.
When Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice hit theaters in 1969, it was nothing short of groundbreaking. The film dove headfirst into taboo topics like open relationships and modern marriage, offering a bold and satirical look at the shifting social norms of the late ’60s. It wasn’t just a movie — it was a cultural moment, capturing the spirit of an era questioning everything from love to fidelity.
At the heart of the film’s success was the incredible cast, including Natalie Wood. Already a Hollywood icon, Natalie brought her signature grace and emotional depth to her role as Carol. Her performance grounded the film, making the complex dynamics feel authentic and relatable.
But the movie’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the strength of Natalie’s three co-stars. The performances by Robert Culp, Elliott Gould, and Dyan Cannon (as Bob, Ted, and Alice, respectively) added depth, humor, and heart, elevating the film to iconic status.
A hot tub with naked people
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice — or BCTA, as we’ll also call it from here — is truly one of director Paul Mazursky’s standout films, and a key landmark of the New Hollywood era. New Hollywood, also known as the ”American New Wave,” was a game-changing period in film during the late 1960s and 1970s.
It shifted the focus from the traditional studio system to a more director-driven approach, giving filmmakers the freedom to explore more complex and controversial topics.
The idea for Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice came to Paul Mazursky when he read an article in Time magazine about Fritz Perls, a “gestalt therapist” who was apparently having a wild time in a hot tub with naked people at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California.
Esalen, founded in 1962, was a New Age therapy hotspot — definitely not your average spa! Intrigued, Mazursky and his wife decided to check it out, finding themselves as the only couple in a group of strangers who actually knew each other. After some fun experiences at Esalen, plus a little writing collaboration with his buddy Larry Tucker in Palm Springs, Mazursky came up with the final script for what would become a hilarious and boundary-pushing film.
From frozen rookie to cocky director
On the first day of shooting Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, things quickly turned into a nightmare for Paul Mazursky. According to him, he walked onto set to find 75 eager crew members all staring at him, waiting for him to give the first order and start filming. Mazursky, who was directing his first film, froze. He had no idea what to do.
”I lost everything,” Mazursky confessed.
Luckily, Charles Lang, the director of photography, saw the panic setting in. In a bold move, Lang suggested, loud enough for everyone to hear, that he and the frozen Mazursky take a film crane up in the air to figure out the opening shot.
Paul, who was terrified of heights, reluctantly agreed — he’d never been in one of those cranes before. They strapped him in, and up they went. Paul, white-knuckling the seat, couldn’t bring himself to look down. He was terrified.
Then, Charlie leaned over and said, ”There’s no shot up here, but we ought to talk about what we might do. You can start with this, do that, etc.”
After three minutes of Charlie’s calm guidance, Paul’s was able to relax, and his confidence came rushing back. He yelled down to the crew, “Okay, take us down, we’re ready to start!”
And just like that, Mazursky, who died in 2014, went from terrified rookie to confident director.
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From then on, I was a cocky little bastard,” he joked later.
Natalie Wood’s first movie in three years
ou can’t talk about Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice without mentioning Natalie Wood. She was absolutely stunning in the movie, and her appearance remains one of her most iconic moments in cinema. This was actually her first film in three years, and it could have marked a major comeback for her — but she didn’t quite seize the opportunity.
Shot in the fall of 1968, BCTA ended up being Wood’s last acting gig for nearly five years. After this, she took a break from feature films and didn’t appear in another one until Peeper (1975), a gap of six years.
The bracelet on Natalie’s left wrist
Take a look at the bracelet on Natalie’s left wrist. As a child actor, she suffered a wrist injury that never fully healed, leaving it slightly disfigured.
This happened when Natalie was was 10, during the filming of The Green Promise. While running across a bridge, it collapsed under her, and she fell, breaking her left wrist. Her stepfather helped cover up the incident, but Natalie, deeply embarrassed by the deformity, took matters into her own hands.
To hide the imperfection, Natalie always wore a bracelet, making sure it was never out of sight. In fact, you’ll rarely find a picture of her without it.
Can you spot Leif Garrett?
Did you know that Leif Garrett’s cinematic debut came in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice?
Yep, the teen idol-to-be made his first big screen appearance in this 1969 film, long before he became a household name in the ’70s as a pop star and heartthrob.
Leif was 5 years old when he first appeared in the movie, which by the way became the fifth highest-grossing film of the year.
A cameo you might miss if you blink
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice is full of sneaky cameos. First up, you’ve got Bill Cosby making a super quick appearance — blink and you’ll miss him.
Here’s how to spot him: Bill Cosby is wearing a hat, a red shirt, and sunglasses. He makes a quick appearance, bumping into Bob in the nightclub scene as Bob and the others head to their table.
Then, if you’re paying attention, you’ll spot Donald F. Muhich, who plays Alice’s therapist. What’s cool is he was actually Paul Mazursky’s real-life therapist — talk about life imitating art…
Oh, and don’t forget the guy screaming in the background at the Esalen Institute – that’s Paul Mazursky himself.
