Dame Elizabeth Taylor: A Rundown + Retrospective
If you’ve been living under a rock or you’re simply too young to know better then you’ve come to the right place. I am here to be your guide to the icon and legend, Miss Elizabeth Taylor.
Elizabeth Taylor is known for being one of the classic Old Hollywood actresses starring in films like Cleopatra, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, National Velvet, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. In an era of blonde bombshells, Elizabeth Taylor was a dark haired siren with stunning violet eyes and a commanding nature that was impossible to ignore, by anyone. Part of her legacy is the extraordinary number of times she had been married, eight marriages to seven different men (she married Richard Burton twice) as well as her messy love triangle with close friends Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher after the death of her husband, film and theater producer Mike Todd, in a tragic plane crash. Her husbands also included a hotel heir Conrad Hilton Jr. (yes, that Hilton making her Paris’ great aunt), a state senator, and a humble construction worker that she met during treatment at the Betty Ford Center. She was also one of the first celebrities to publicly speak about HIV/AIDS in an attempt to fight the stigma and was a proud activist for the LGBTQ+ community, that along with her unbelievable body of work and personal style makes her a certified GAY ICON.
Essential Viewing
National Velvet (1944) Her first film after signing with MGM and one of my earliest memories of Elizabeth. I used to watch this movie all the time as a kid. Also starring Mickey Rooney, Donald Crisp, and Angela Lansbury. At the core it is a movie about a young girl and her passion for her horse.
Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (1958) based on the Tennessee Williams play and filmed during one of the most difficult times in her life. They were in the process of filming when her husband Mike Todd died and the world labeled her a homewrecker for her subsequent affair with close friend Eddie Fisher. She went back to work on the film only three weeks later and turned in a fabulous performance earning her both Academy Award and BAFTA nominations.
BUtterfield 8 (1960) Earned her her first Academy Award although she was initially very resentful of the role. The lurid association of a high price call girl and her own public image in the aftermath of her very public affair was not something she wanted to encourage, but she owed the studio another picture. Personally, I really resonate with her character Gloria. I admire her adventurous and untamable spirit.
Cleopatra (1963) A visual and historical masterpiece but it is over 4 hours long so if you don’t have the attention span or patience I don’t blame you. I happen to love ancient Egypt and history so it was an easy watch for me. I highly recommend checking out the stills and some clips to see how truly spectacular it was as well as her famed chemistry with future husband then ex-husband then husband again then ex-husband, Richard Burton.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) Elizabeth won her second Academy Award for her film portrayal of Martha in Edward Albee’s famous play. Many have played Martha but I honestly can’t imagine anyone more perfect for the role. Her natural charm and affinity for playing difficult women is wholly evident in her often erratic yet seductive performance. One that I believe only Elizabeth MF Taylor could pull off.
