David Nezelek
Cibbuano
TyronneElizabeth Taylor
March 20th 2007 19:15
Dame Taylor just had her 75th birthday in February. For some of us she has been a celebrity icon all our lives. The fact is, she has been an icon most of her life, too.
But, it is fun to look at a Time Magazine article, written in 1949, when Time's writer's speculated about a 17 year old Elizabeth, one of several upcoming stars profiled as a possible future American movie star (but, Liz got the cover!).
The article begins with a familiar Hollywood refrain that could have been written yesterday,
"Hollywood, which has a special logic of its own, has a ready answer for one kind of criticism: If entertaining the public and breaking box-office records isn't art, what is?
Beset by choking labor costs, the critical prestige of imported films, the competition of radio and the threat of TV, and public apathy toward many of its tried & true stars, Hollywood has given more than passing thought to art and even culture."
Forty eight years later, all you need is the addition of internet video, and dvds.
The article talks about a girl with almost no temperment (!), who loves ice-cream sodas, movie magazines, and big strong men (well, they were partly right...)
Time Magazine looked forward to Ms. Taylor co-starring with Montgomery Clift, an up and coming actor, then, in Theodore Dreiser's An American Trajedy.
The film was released as A Place In The Sun, in 1951 (the story goes that the studio did not want to compete with Sunset Boulevard in 1950, and, won 7 Oscars as a result of its decision) and Ms. Taylor was gorgeous. The late Pauline Kael, a formidable film reviewer wrote the following:
" “George Stevens’ most highly respected work is an almost incredibly painstaking movie derived from Dreiser’s An American Tragedy. It is full of meaning-charged details, murky psychological overtones, darkening landscapes, the eerie sounds of a loon, and overlapping dissolves designed to affect you emotionally without your conscious awareness.
“Whatever one thinks about it, it is a famous and impressive film. The performances by Montgomery Clift, Shelley Winters and Elizabeth Taylor are good enough (and Clift is almost too good, too sensitive), though they appear to be over-directed pawns. If Elizabeth Taylor had played the victim in this production, then the poor could at least be shown to have some natural assets. But Shelley Winters makes the victim so horrifyingly, naggingly pathetic that Clift hardly seems to be contemplating a crime: it’s more like euthanasia.”
Pauline Kael
If Pauline Kael says you can act, you can act.
The article continues with details of wedding plans to a young man (which never happened) and ends, "The day is coming soon, say some Hollywood seers, when Elizabeth may get fed up with being watched. They already see signs that she is trying her wings: she is tired of her Cadillac and wants another; she wants a mink stole; in Paris last winter she went on a clothes-buying spree and overdrew her checking account; in London she snapped back at her teacher, "Wouldn't it be nice if Miss Anderson dropped right through the floor!"
"When Elizabeth talks about her future in the movies, her eyes flash sapphire sparks. "What I'd really like to play," she gasps excitedly, "is a monster—a hellion." MGM's Billy Grady thinks she has the temperament as well as the beauty to become a great star—"And when she begins to show it—Oh, Brother!" "
Well, if temperment was a word meaning personality, Ms. Taylor would prove through the decades she had plenty. I thought it was a little over the top when the Pope condemned her for her affair with Richard Burton, during the filming of Cleopatra, but that was just Elizabeth Taylor's life abc.net.au
She survived. She survived that, a broken back, seven marriages, and much more. She championed the AIDS cause long before anyone else dared to, blithely ignoring the US government's displeasure and disdain.
What can you say? She's a great Dame.
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Comment by Wendi
Comment by katyzzz
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Oh, that modern day actresses were so naturally beautiful as she was.
Certainly, a rare beauty.
katyzzz
Comment by Theresa
Today's World
I remember Ms. Taylor writing in an autobiography about how Montgomery Clift being gay had to be kept secret (like Rock Hudson). But she apparently loved both, as friends, and it didn't affect their friendship negatively, or her loyalty to them.
I don't know how happy Mr. Clift was, perhaps tortured is a good word for
some of his life.
Hers has been filled with glamour, and physical pain; self-indulgence and great generosity and courage.
With her children and grand-children, I'd guess that aside from her physical aches, it's been a long life, fully lived.
Not too bad...
Theresa
Comment by Theresa
Today's World
While she knew the power of her (natural) beauty, it was funny,
in long ago interviews, to hear her say to people, beautiful,
have you seen Ava Gardner?
I liked that she refused to fit into what other people thought she should be.
Besides her relationships with men, she took heat for taking her kids and
dogs everywhere - I thought that was great.
Oh, those dresses...
Theresa
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Theresa
Today's World
Sorry to be so late getting back to you; left on the 10th for travel in two states, services to attend, people to re-acquaint, and, oh yes, bring home a 9 week old puppy. Returned home last night, and moving kind of slowly...
Yes, Ms. Taylor did play Cleopatra, in a production with great artists attached, yet, it's pretty much unwatchable for me.
Agree, the relationship with Michael Jackson odd. But, the woman is notoriously loyal, regardless of popularity or criticism. My guess is she thinks he's innocent of the accusations. Awful subject, but, I'm afraid I don't agree with her on that.
Loved her in Giant, with James Dean, Rock Hudson and a very young Dennis Hopper (Easy Rider), as the son who becomes a doctor. Slightly different film persona for him
Theresa
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Monty Clift stands tall above Brando and Dean for me as the ultimate method man....A Place in the Sun is one of the best films ever made IMO.
Liz taylor was incredibly talented, I did a review of Cat on a Hot tin Roof recently...Loved her in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf too.
Comment by Theresa
Today's World
Really hard for me to be objective about Montgomery Clift, Marlon Brando and James Dean. They had such social impact, in addition to their film work.
When Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando worked together in Guys and Dolls, it was like the men I knew felt they had to choose which guy was better. It was an age and style thing. Personally, as a gal, I saw the merits of both...
Agree Ms. Taylor was very talented, but some awful film choices...
I think the cackle Cibby hears (see above), when he thinks of her, is the one she developed in Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf
Theresa
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I think the cackle came from to much boozing and combat with Burton.
Totally with on your loev of Giant...I also dig her in Suddenly, Last Summer and Butterfield 8