Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor
Yesterday, Elizabeth Taylor died. She was 79. And with her, most likely, died the last great movie star.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there are still some actors from the golden days of Hollywood among the living, most notably my beloved Madame Olivia de Havilland. But I think that Elizabeth Taylor epitomized the phrase “movie star.” She was everything pop culture assigns to that term. She was phenomenally beautiful. She was glamorous. She starred in some of the most memorable films of all time. She won two Academy Awards. Her love affairs remain the stuff of legend. Her fans are legion.
When I heard the news of her death, I have to admit that I was shocked. It seems strange that a force as viable as Elizabeth Taylor was could have died. It wasn’t that much of a surprise. Let’s face it; the woman had been through physical hell as well as emotional hell throughout her lifetime. But she always survived.
What I remember most about Elizabeth Taylor is her unwavering devotion to two men who both were shunned by Hollywood. She remained a lifelong friend of Rock Hudson and refused to distance herself from him when he revealed he had AIDS. She also loved and cared for Montgomery Clift. She literally saved his life. It takes a lot of grace to withstand all the negativity surrounding these two men and she did. That seems to be her legacy; her resolute loyalty to friends. She remained close to Michael Jackson before his untimely demise.
But, I honestly don’t own any films with her in it, something that I find strange because of my catalog of classic films. But I don’t. I don’t even own “A Place in the Sun,” even though it co-stars my beloved Monty Clift. Maybe I should get that one. I’ve only ever seen “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” once. I’ve never sat down and watched “Cleopatra” all the way through. I watched “Butterfield 8” because I was curious about Eddie Fisher’s presence in that film. I’m not a fan of “National Velvet.”
However, I do love her Oscar-winning performance in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Why? Because she’s not glamorous in the role. She’s actually a rather sad and pathetic character. But Elizabeth seems to be having the time of her life in the role. That’s what makes it fun to watch.
So, adieu Dame Elizabeth, last of the great movie stars.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there are still some actors from the golden days of Hollywood among the living, most notably my beloved Madame Olivia de Havilland. But I think that Elizabeth Taylor epitomized the phrase “movie star.” She was everything pop culture assigns to that term. She was phenomenally beautiful. She was glamorous. She starred in some of the most memorable films of all time. She won two Academy Awards. Her love affairs remain the stuff of legend. Her fans are legion.
When I heard the news of her death, I have to admit that I was shocked. It seems strange that a force as viable as Elizabeth Taylor was could have died. It wasn’t that much of a surprise. Let’s face it; the woman had been through physical hell as well as emotional hell throughout her lifetime. But she always survived.
What I remember most about Elizabeth Taylor is her unwavering devotion to two men who both were shunned by Hollywood. She remained a lifelong friend of Rock Hudson and refused to distance herself from him when he revealed he had AIDS. She also loved and cared for Montgomery Clift. She literally saved his life. It takes a lot of grace to withstand all the negativity surrounding these two men and she did. That seems to be her legacy; her resolute loyalty to friends. She remained close to Michael Jackson before his untimely demise.
But, I honestly don’t own any films with her in it, something that I find strange because of my catalog of classic films. But I don’t. I don’t even own “A Place in the Sun,” even though it co-stars my beloved Monty Clift. Maybe I should get that one. I’ve only ever seen “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” once. I’ve never sat down and watched “Cleopatra” all the way through. I watched “Butterfield 8” because I was curious about Eddie Fisher’s presence in that film. I’m not a fan of “National Velvet.”
However, I do love her Oscar-winning performance in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Why? Because she’s not glamorous in the role. She’s actually a rather sad and pathetic character. But Elizabeth seems to be having the time of her life in the role. That’s what makes it fun to watch.
So, adieu Dame Elizabeth, last of the great movie stars.
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