Return of the Prodigal Classic Film Fan.

By the grace of horrendous internet problems in my apartment and having to resort to the free wifi at Parc Monceau (and thus the limited power of my computer battery), I haven’t posted in a long time. This is especially awkward because of all the classic film news that has since happened–in no particular order:

Elizabeth Taylor died.

A tragic moment for the entire industry, and it seems almost futile to try to do a tribute to her because she was SUCH a legend, that it’s impossible to put her into words.

I will, thus, simply compile some of my favorite Elizabeth Taylor moments here. As Elizabeth lived her life with vivacity and endless humor, I celebrate her here with clips that demonstrate how she lived her life. RIP Liz, you were really something.

National Velvet, 1944. This is literally the only clip from National Velvet that I could find on youtube that wasn’t altered in some way. I ADORE this movie, and truthfully this is how I will always remember her. Now that she’s gone, I tear up when I watch it.

Lassie Come Home, 1943. This was the beginning of Elizabeth’s career at MGM, and she costars with Roddy McDowell, who would become her lifelong friend.

Elizabeth’s classic, hilarious performance on “What’s My Line?” in 1954.

Suddenly Last Summer, 1959. One of Elizabeth’s best, very well-known within the classic film community, but I’m not sure how well outside of it. It’s a wonderfully done, brave film for its time, and with marvelous performances by Katharine Hepburn and Montgomery Clift (another lifelong friend of Elizabeth’s), and it’s worth a viewing. TCM shows it from time to time.

The magnificent Cleopatra, 1963, in which she costars with her two-time husband, Richard Burton, and becomes the highest paid actress of her time, garnering a staggering (for the era) 1 million dollars for the role.

Boom!, 1968. PLEASE SEE THIS FILM. It is so rarely seen these days, and it is so campy that it’s absolutely brilliant. Favorite moments: When Elizabeth screams “SHIT on your MOTHER!!!” and does martial arts on the veranda wearing a veritable porcupine chandelier thing on her head. I can’t even. Just see it.

Jumping forward a few years, this is “These Old Broads” (2001) my ALL-TIME FAVORITE made-for-TV movie. Simply put, Elizabeth plays a housebound drunken agent, who represents 3 old movie stars trying to make a comeback. In this clip, Elizabeth’s character talks with Debbie Reynolds’ character about a shared ex-husband, called “Freddie Hunter.” In real life (for those of you living under a classic film rock), after Elizabeth’s husband, Mike Todd, died in a plane crash, Debbie’s husband, Eddie Fisher, left Debbie for Elizabeth. One of the many, many reasons I love this movie. Please, please see it.

Golden Globe Awards, 2000. I don’t think Elizabeth was drunk here, I really think this was just HER. This is one of the great Elizabeth moments out there.

And last, but certainly not least…

RIP Elizabeth. The world is a far less exciting place without you.

2 responses to “Return of the Prodigal Classic Film Fan.”

Meredith | May 11, 2011 at 2:25 pm |

Liz should and will continue to be celebrated, so this tribute is really not late but right on time. 🙂
backlots | May 11, 2011 at 8:56 pm |

You’re so right, Meredith! Thanks for reading!
-Lara