Last Wednesday I was devastated to learn that this legendary, luminous, courageous actress had passed away at the age of 79. I would like to post a tribute to her today with some of my favorite Elizabeth Taylor movies.
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Elizabeth Taylor earned an Oscar nomination for her sultry portrayal of Maggie, a Southern woman struggling with many issues: an alcoholic husband (Paul Newman, in top-form) who has lost interest in her; and her squabbling, scheming in-laws during a birthday celebration for the patriarch, Big Daddy (played by Burl Ives). Taylor is breathtaking in her appearance and in her performance!
A Place In The Sun (1951)
This movie has Taylor as the daughter of a privileged family; she meets poor, but ambitious Montgomery Clift and they instantly fall in love. However, Clift is in bind because he has a pregnant girlfriend (played by Shelley Winters) but is so enamoured with Taylor and can’t live without her that he'll do whatever it takes to secure their relationship. The moments between Taylor and Clift are truly mesmerizing and memorable.
The Taming Of The Shrew (1967)
I watched this lively movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s play in my poetry class in high school and thoroughly enjoyed it. This is an absolutely entertaining movie, with Elizabeth Taylor as Katharina (the shrew) and Richard Burton as Petruchio, the man determined to woo, marry and ultimately tame her. The chemistry is undeniable between Taylor and Burton (married in real life at the time), and overall it’s a grand experience!
Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Elizabeth Taylor won her 2nd Best Actress Academy Award (and in my opinion she truly deserved it) for her brilliant performance as Martha, the boozy, vulgar middle-aged wife of dejected college professor George (the equally brilliant Richard Burton). George and Martha have a very late night get-together with a young professor and his wife (George Segal and Oscar-winner Sandy Dennis); the evening evolves into a night of fights, indiscretions and revelations that will shatter the lives of everyone involved. This is intense and difficult to watch, but so worth it!
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