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Kim Novak Part II

© K Cruver

As Hollywood's reigning star, Kim's love life was often discussed in the press. She was rumored to have affairs with Aly Khan, Count Bandini and Frank Sinatra, among many others.

In 1957, one of her affairs proved to be ahead of the times. Kim became close with Sammy Davis Jr. Despite Davis' popularity, the match could never be made public. Interracial relationships were still shunned in the fifties, and the romance would have ended Kim's career. Though the pair tried to keep a low profile, columnists were soon on their trail.

When Harry Cohn first heard about the relationship he suffered two heart attacks in one night. While reporters tried to find proof of the affair, Cohn had Davis threatened. He ordered him to break up with Kim and marry a woman of his own race immediately. Davis married a dancer with whom he made a contract to divorce within a year. The true lovers parted.

That year, Kim attempted the most challenging role of her career, the lead role in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958). Hitchcock was upset that Cohn insisted on Kim for the role. He had wanted Vera Miles, but she was pregnant. It was unlikely that she would have won the part anyway; Cohn knew what he wanted.

Kim begged Hitchcock for advice on how to play the dual role. He told her that she was taking the movie too seriously. Still, Hitchcock took the production very seriously himself, and he feared Kim would destroy his movie. His ultimate opinion of her performance remains unclear; in interviews, he has both admitted respect for her work and claimed that the movie would have been better without her.

Critics were pleased with Kim's performance. Some even thought she made a stronger impression than her costar Jimmy Stewart. Though Vertigo did modest business at the box office, in time it would become one of Hitchcock's most admired movies and Kim deserved some of the credit for its success. She excelled in a role that would challenge any actress.

Next, Kim was assigned the part of a seductive witch in Bell, Book, and Candle (1958). She starred again opposite Jimmy Stewart; Jack Lemmon and Elsa Lanchester played her family. Though the movie originally made a slight impression; it is now a favorite among her fans.

In February 1958, Kim lost her tormentor and benefactor; Harry Cohn died. Kim was saddened, despite the troubles she had had with him over the years. His sharp judgement had landed her strong parts that all but guaranteed her stardom. Without Cohn, her career began a permanent decline.