When the film Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice was released, it made everyone giddy and got everyone talking about its bold look at relationships.
While the film shocked audiences, few noticed a hidden detail about Natalie Wood – a subtle choice meant to protect a personal secret.

When Bob and Carol, Ted and Alice was released in 1969, the film was nothing short of groundbreaking. The film dived headfirst into taboo topics such as open relationships and modern marriages, offering a bold and satirical look at the changing social norms of the late ‘60s. It wasn’t just a film – it was a cultural moment, reflecting the spirit of an era that questioned 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 trademark grace and emotional depth to the role of Carol. Her performance became the backbone of the film, lending authenticity and believability to the complex dynamics.
But the film’s success would not have been possible without the strengths of Natalie’s three colleagues. Robert Culp, Elliott Gould and Dyan Cannon (Bob, Ted and Alice respectively) gave the film depth, humour and heart, elevating it to cult status.
Looking behind the scenes, it’s hard not to be impressed, shocked and a little surprised at how this ‘raunchy’ film went from a script on paper to receiving four Academy Award nominations.
Jacuzzi with naked people
Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice (or BCTA as we will call it hereafter) is truly one of director Paul Mazursky’s outstanding films and one of the key milestones of the New Hollywood era. New Hollywood, also known as the American New Wave, was a period that changed cinema in the late 1960s and 1970s.
It shifted the focus from the traditional studio system to a more directorial approach, giving filmmakers the freedom to explore more complex and controversial themes.
The idea for the film Bob and Carol, Ted and Alice came to Paul Mazursky when he read an article in Time magazine about Fritz Perls, a ‘Gestalt therapist’ who was apparently having crazy fun 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, Mazurski and his wife decided to check it out, being the only couple in the group of strangers who actually knew each other. After a few hilarious experiences in Esalen, and a brief collaboration with pal Larry Tucker in Palm Springs, Mazursky wrote the final draft of the script, which became a hilarious and boundary-pushing film.
From frozen rookie to cocky director
Things quickly turned into a nightmare for Paul Mazursky on the first day of filming Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice. He says that upon entering the set, he saw 75 impatient crew members staring at him, waiting for him to give the first order and start shooting. Mazursky, who was directing his first film, froze. He had no idea what to do.
‘I lost everything,’ Mazursky admitted.
Fortunately, Charles Lang, a production cameraman, noticed the panic. In a bold move, Lang suggested, loud enough for all to hear, that he and a frozen Mazursky lift the film screens into the air to come up with the opening shot.
Paul, who was terribly afraid of heights, reluctantly agreed – he had never been in such a crane before. He was strapped in and they climbed up. Paul, gripping the seat, couldn’t bring himself to look down. He was scared.
Then Charlie leaned over to him and said: ‘There’s no chance here, but we must discuss what can be done. You can start with this, do that, and so on.’
After three minutes of calm instruction Charlie Paul was able to relax and his confidence returned to him. He shouted to the crew, ‘OK, get us down, we’re ready to launch!’.
And just like that, Mazursky, who died in 2014, went from scared rookie to confident director.
‘I’ve been a cocky little bastard ever since,’ he joked later.
Natalie Wood’s first film in three years
We can’t talk about the film Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice without mentioning Natalie Wood. She was simply stunning in this film, and her appearance remains one of the most iconic moments in cinema. In fact, it was her first film in three years, and it could have marked her return – but she didn’t seize the opportunity.
The BCTA film, made in the autumn of 1968, was Wood’s last acting job for almost five years. After that, she took a break from acting and didn’t appear in another film 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.
It happened when Natalie was 10 years old, while filming the film Green Promise. As she was running across the bridge, it collapsed beneath her and she fell, breaking her left wrist. Her stepfather helped cover up the incident, but Natalie, deeply embarrassed by the disfigurement, took matters into her own hands.
To hide the flaw, Natalie always wore a bracelet, and 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 made his film debut in the film Bob and Carol, Ted and Alice?
Yes, the future teen idol first appeared on the big screen in this 1969 film, long before he became a famous pop star and heartthrob in the 70s.
Leif was 5 years old when he first appeared in the film, which incidentally became the fifth highest-grossing film of the year.
A cameo you might miss if you blink.
The film Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice is full of sneaky cameos. Firstly, Bill Cosby makes a very quick appearance in the film – blink and you’ll miss him.
Here’s how to spot him: Bill Cosby is wearing a hat, 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.
If you pay attention, you’ll notice Donald F. Mujic, who plays Alice’s therapist. The best part is that he was actually Paul Mazursky’s therapist in real life – what to say about life imitating art….
And don’t forget the guy screaming in the background at the Esalen Institute – that’s Paul Mazursky himself.
Natalie’s wardrobe
Natalie Wood’s fashion sense has always been on point. Whether it was a concert, charity event or premiere, glamorous or casual look, Natalie Wood was the epitome of beauty.
She effortlessly combined stardom with down-to-earth charm, and this was especially evident in the films Bob & Carol and Ted & Alice. Her wardrobe, designed by the legendary Moss Mabry, became a fashion icon of the era.
From casual bohemian looks to chic outfits in the more sophisticated scenes, Natalie’s wardrobe in the film reflected her ability to be both iconic and approachable.
Mabry even created a special bra designed specifically for Natalie Wood, which became known as the ‘Natalie Wood bra’. However, he kept the secret of its design a closely guarded secret.
The triumphant return of Dyan Cannon
Natalie Wood was not the only actress to make a dramatic comeback in Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice. Her colleague in the film, Dyan Cannon, also returned to the big screen after a tumultuous period in her personal life. Diane endured a media storm during her bitter divorce from Cary Grant, which was accompanied by accusations of his inappropriate behaviour under the influence of LSD. She sought full custody of their daughter but was left destitute as a result of the legal proceedings.
Behind this heartache, Diane was determined to revive her career, and ‘Bob & Carol and Ted & Alice’ gave her just the opportunity she needed. The role of Alice Henderson was a turning point in her life and she embraced it with renewed determination.
‘For eight months I couldn’t do anything. I was too stunned, confused and upset by what had happened. But one day something inside me clicked. I realised I wasn’t going to get anywhere by sitting around feeling sorry for myself, it was time to get out and do something,’ she told the AP in 1968.
Bloopers: Find the mistakes in the BCTA
No film is without bloopers, and ‘Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice’ has plenty of them! In one scene, Alice and Ted dive into desserts at a restaurant, but in the very next shot, those same desserts are served to them. Later, after the party, Bob puts on a record, but as the music continues in the background, the turntable is clearly shown without a record on it.
And at another point, when Carol confesses to cheating, Bob heads for the stairs with his coat on. But in the next shot, the coat is already off – and Carol is holding it in her hands. These little missteps may not spoil the fun, but they definitely add to the film’s unexpected charm.
Threw the actors to bed
A fun fact about the iconic ‘Bob and Carol, Ted and Alice’ scene in which Mazursky throws the actors into bed is that it was virtually unscripted.
The director wanted to capture a raw and natural performance, so he deliberately left the actors to improvise. In fact, only Robert Culp, who plays Bob, felt comfortable in the chaotic environment, while the rest of the cast, including Natalie Wood and Elliott Gould, didn’t know what to do at first. According to critics, this improvisation added to the film’s authenticity.

Testament
The film Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice may have been a turning point for many stars, but for Natalie Wood, it marked the beginning of a bittersweet chapter. After the film’s success, she stepped away from the limelight, taking a break from acting.
Sadly, this film was her last major film before her untimely death in 1981. While the film reflected the free-spirited, no-holds-barred atmosphere of the 1960s, Wood’s personal life remained much more complicated, marred by tragic events that ended far too soon.
Nevertheless, her role in Bob and Carol, Ted and Alice remains a testament to her incredible talent and timeless beauty, forever etched in cinematic history. Share this article on Facebook to honour her legacy!