I didn’t go Hollywood on the outside with flashy cars, upstairs maids and mink covered bathroom fixtures. I went Hollywood on the inside–and that’s worst of all. . . . I played a character only in one picture–my first. From then on I was this movie star named Joan Caulfield. I tried to avoid being natural. I lowered my voice. I copied the mannerisms of other stars. I struck poses. I received bad advice–from dramatic coaches, from agents and from studio executives. I stopped being a human being. I blame myself and I blame Hollywood’s star system.
