Barbara-stanwyck Quote by Robert Wagner
![“Because I was so involved with Barbara [Stanwyck], I was off-limits for other women, which was something of a problem for the studio. They wanted to promote the image of a carefree young stud—never my style—so I had publicity dates with young actresses around town like Lori Nelson or Debra Paget…” quote by Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9a9/robert-wagner-13959_barbara-stanwyck_because-i-was-so-involved-with-barbara-s_2781727.jpg)
““Because I was so involved with Barbara [Stanwyck], I was off-limits for other women, which was something of a problem for the studio. They wanted to promote the image of a carefree young stud—never my style—so I had publicity dates with young actresses around town like Lori Nelson or Debra Paget. This was a relic of the days when the studio system was in its prime. The studio would arrange for two young stars-in-waiting to go out to dinner and a dance and assign a photographer to accompany them. The result would be placed in a fan magazine. It was a totally artificial story documenting a nonexistent relationship, but it served to keep the names of young talents in front of the public. As far as I was concerned, it was part of the job, and usually pleasant enough. When reporters would ask me about my romantic life, which they did incessantly, I had to say things like, "If I go out with one woman a few times, it's considered a romance. If I date a lot of girls, I'm a Casanova. It's one of those 'heads-you-win-tails-I-lose' deals. I don't think it's anybody's business what I do." The last sentence contained my true feelings.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 1977
Wagner describes how studios fabricated romantic pairings to boost publicity, treating personal life as a publicity tool.
In simple terms: Studios created fake romances to promote stars.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question manufactured narratives.
Themes
celebrity culture
publicity
studio system
personal autonomy
Mood
cynical
reflective
Type
anecdotal
industry insight
When to use this quote
- Hollywood publicity
- studio contracts
- media interviews
- fan magazines
- career management
Key Concepts
image management
media manipulation
fan engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish genuine relationships from publicity stunts?
- What impact does studio control have on personal freedom?
A Different Perspective
These fabricated stories can damage personal reputation and authenticity.
![“And my parents knew, because Barbara [Stanwyck] called their house a few times looking for me. I finally told them we were seeing each other, although I didn't give them all the details. They met her once, at a party at Clifton Webb's house, and my mother was upset that I was in love with an older…” quote by Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6f1/robert-wagner-13959_barbara-stanwyck_and-my-parents-knew-because-barbara-stan_3156636.jpg)
![“As a person, [Barbara Stanwyck] was a great deal like the character she played in Ball of Fire, a stripper called Sugarpuss O'Shea. She had a wonderful, free, open quality in that picture, and that's what she was like as a woman. Reclusive by nature, she was happy to just stay home, but she read…” quote by Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/512/robert-wagner-13959_acting_as-a-person-barbara-stanwyck-was-a-great_2921299.jpg)
![“In most respects, Barbara [Stanwyck] was a man's woman, although her home was lovely. Like me, she was an animal lover—she kept poodles. Her son, Dion, was in the service at this point—I never actually met him—and she was hopeful that the Army might help him. She had adopted Dion when she was…” quote by Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/21e/robert-wagner-13959_animal-lover_in-most-respects-barbara-stanwyck-was-a_2909685.jpg)
![“Barbara [Stanwyck] was the first woman I ever loved.” quote by Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0b7/robert-wagner-13959_barbara-stanwyck_barbara-stanwyck-was-the-first-woman-i-e_2715401.jpg)
![“After the picture had been shooting for a couple of weeks, Jean had a party at his house on a Saturday night. I escorted Barbara [Stanwyck] and stayed close to her throughout the evening. I was enthralled by her and terribly attracted to her, but I couldn't tell if she returned the favor. She was…” quote by Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1b4/robert-wagner-13959_attracted_after-the-picture-had-been-shooting-for_2627940.jpg)
![“Spending time around her house, I came across a cache of 16mm movies in her basement. It turned out that Barbara [Stanwyck] had a lot of her own movies, and I convinced her to spend some time watching them with me. I ran the projector. She had prints of Union Pacific, Ball of Fire, and Baby Face…” quote by Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/afb/robert-wagner-13959_barbara-stanwyck_spending-time-around-her-house-i-came-ac_275860.jpg)
![“Looking is an important part of Stanwyck's acting: many performers have beautiful eyes (for example, Henry Fonda), or use their eyes expressively (most remarkably, perhaps, Bette Davis), but few use them so attentively to observe and survey others and the world [as Stanwyck].” quote by Andrew Klevan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5b1/andrew-klevan-110076_actor_looking-is-an-important-part-of-stanwyck_401091.jpg)
![“Barbara [Stanwyck] and me in our only scene alone in Titanic. It wasn't much of a scene, but it sparked one of the most intense and rewarding relationships of my life.” quote by Robert Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6fc/robert-wagner-13959_barbara-stanwyck_barbara-stanwyck-and-me-in-our-only-scen_992235.jpg)
