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I've recently been watching the films of Montgomery Clift and so far I've seen 2 of the 3 films Elizabeth Taylor did with him: A Place In The Sun (1951) and Raintree County (1957). I previously didn't rate her that highly as an actress but she is excellent in both films, especially A Place In The Sun.
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Odd that TCM included THE SANDPIPER in two different collections.
I've never seen it, but then I haven't made much effort to watch the Taylor-Burton films. If I'm iffy on Liz, I'm downright sour about Burton. Every film I've seen him in, it seemed like he was giving a lazy, indifferent performance. Like Brando, he seemed to be coasting; but unlike Brando, I can't figure out what Burton was coasting on. Brando gave a few legendary performances early on, but I have no idea why Burton was considered a great actor. Handsome guy with a fantastic voice, but his acting seemed to consist of looking mournful.
I've never seen it, but then I haven't made much effort to watch the Taylor-Burton films. If I'm iffy on Liz, I'm downright sour about Burton. Every film I've seen him in, it seemed like he was giving a lazy, indifferent performance. Like Brando, he seemed to be coasting; but unlike Brando, I can't figure out what Burton was coasting on. Brando gave a few legendary performances early on, but I have no idea why Burton was considered a great actor. Handsome guy with a fantastic voice, but his acting seemed to consist of looking mournful.
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Her career has many phases but one that fascinates me the most is in fact the last one, from 1967 until 1973, during which she made a bizarre string of movies, some of which are mind-boggling. I'm yet to see all of them, but from those I've seen, and from what I've read/heard about others, I get the impression she didn't really care that much and sort of accepted roles that she found funny, unusual or just plain bizarre.
I think it all started with Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967), a giant flop with Brando, whom she couldn't stand and had 0 chemistry with.
I've heard so much about Boom! (1967), I know it's one of John Waters' favorite films, and have seen some clips from which I can only say Liz was really camping it out, the acting, the outfits, the setting. I have to see this one!
Secret Ceremony (1968) is another head-scratcher. She really lets go in this one, even burping in one scene. Mia Farrow and Robert Mitchum co-star, probably regretting it later on.
The Only Game in Town (1970) seems like an attempt at respectability again, with a great director and a popular co-star, but with no success. A giant flop, it's too long, boring and looks so 70s bad.
X, Y and Zee (1972), feels like a tired copy of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969).
Haven't seen Under Milk Wood and Hammersmith is Out, the later's description sounds wacky.
The era ends on a high, with a personal favorite, Night Watch (1973) which is great, spooky, psycho and atmospheric and Liz really delivers. I haven't seen Ash Wednesday (1973) but the plot sound interesting (something about plastic surgery), and the movie seems to have done ok, with solid reviews.
I know she appeared in more movies later on but those were usually cameos and not Elizabeth Taylor pictures. This was the end of her career as a leading actress and it is a fascinating string of movies, on its own. It's not exactly hag horror, but borderlines it. It's clear that its someone who's on a sort of a downward spiral, career wise and looks wise (70s did not look good on Liz, imo) but at the same time, that loss of perfection, is what makes her relax and do stuff she could have never done in previous movies, from going psycho to being vulgar, unattractive and crass. I'd like to hear your views on these movies , especially the ones I haven't seen.
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I think it all started with Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967), a giant flop with Brando, whom she couldn't stand and had 0 chemistry with.
I've heard so much about Boom! (1967), I know it's one of John Waters' favorite films, and have seen some clips from which I can only say Liz was really camping it out, the acting, the outfits, the setting. I have to see this one!
Secret Ceremony (1968) is another head-scratcher. She really lets go in this one, even burping in one scene. Mia Farrow and Robert Mitchum co-star, probably regretting it later on.
The Only Game in Town (1970) seems like an attempt at respectability again, with a great director and a popular co-star, but with no success. A giant flop, it's too long, boring and looks so 70s bad.
X, Y and Zee (1972), feels like a tired copy of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969).
Haven't seen Under Milk Wood and Hammersmith is Out, the later's description sounds wacky.
The era ends on a high, with a personal favorite, Night Watch (1973) which is great, spooky, psycho and atmospheric and Liz really delivers. I haven't seen Ash Wednesday (1973) but the plot sound interesting (something about plastic surgery), and the movie seems to have done ok, with solid reviews.
I know she appeared in more movies later on but those were usually cameos and not Elizabeth Taylor pictures. This was the end of her career as a leading actress and it is a fascinating string of movies, on its own. It's not exactly hag horror, but borderlines it. It's clear that its someone who's on a sort of a downward spiral, career wise and looks wise (70s did not look good on Liz, imo) but at the same time, that loss of perfection, is what makes her relax and do stuff she could have never done in previous movies, from going psycho to being vulgar, unattractive and crass. I'd like to hear your views on these movies , especially the ones I haven't seen.
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For some reason, I really kind of like this one... and who knew Paris could be transformed into Las Vegas??
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Yeah, I know the movie ain't much, but I kind of enjoyed THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN when I watched it once or twice. Of course, that theory is being drawn on an opinion that was formed many years ago. I haven't seen this movie in probably three or four years. I've never been a big Warren Beatty fan, but I liked he and Liz together. The script is pretty weak, but I liked it good. Not really a guilty pleasure or anything, but just a laid-back bland something of a film.
I've heard so much about NIGHT WATCH (some of which was discussed over in the "Hag Horror" thread) that I know I've got to get around to seeing this movie. Too many people have given it favorable reviews that I cannot go without seeing it too much longer.
I've heard so much about NIGHT WATCH (some of which was discussed over in the "Hag Horror" thread) that I know I've got to get around to seeing this movie. Too many people have given it favorable reviews that I cannot go without seeing it too much longer.
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The Taylor-Burton were a popular pairing in films in the 1960s, with such hits as THE VIPs (1963) and THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (1967) under their belt. They even had the Oscar-winning WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (1966) to their credit. They were rightfully considered a dynamic and powerful box office pairing. So much where they viewed as box office bait, the movie industry apparently "panicked" when the couple voiced their desire to "take a break" from movies in the late-'60s. The powers-that-be in the industry worried that half of the industry's income would've been lost had they taken too long of a break.
But even so, the duo had their share of duds, such as THE COMEDIANS (1967) and BOOM! (1968) to name a few. The former was initiated as a pairing between Burton and Italian actress Sophia Loren, but Liz balked at that idea. She agreed to cut her $1 million-per-picture salary (which was a staple of her contracts since CLEOPATRA gave her that distinction) in half to $500,000 so she could do the picture with her husband. Despite that, the movie was dismissed as a talkative misfire and flopped at the box office. BOOM! is a favorite of filmmaker John Waters, even though he calls it a "beyond bad" movie. It was a big disappointment in theaters too.
I've seen few of the Taylor-Burton films myself.
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I haven't seen the film, but seeing Beatty and Taylor together seems odd. They were only about 5 years apart in age, but they seemed to be of completely different Hollywood eras.
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Precisely what I thought. Liz seemed to embody (at least partly) that Old Hollywood studio manufactured star era, whereas Beatty was one of the faces of the "New Hollywood" that embraced method acting and more realistic-style films.
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I've just always likedTOGIT -- an appealing little small film. Beatty is excellent, Taylor is in her shrill mode, and yet it works for me -- until he starts breaking her stuff.
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Giant and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? are my favourite performances from her but I love to watch her in anything, even the films that didn't do so well.
I know this thread is more about her acting but I also think it's important to point out how unproblematic her family are which is a rarity when it comes to someone as famous as Elizabeth is/was. On a kind-of-related note, this song is by one of her grandsons and happens to be an absolute favourite of mine - it's well worth the listen:
I know this thread is more about her acting but I also think it's important to point out how unproblematic her family are which is a rarity when it comes to someone as famous as Elizabeth is/was. On a kind-of-related note, this song is by one of her grandsons and happens to be an absolute favourite of mine - it's well worth the listen:
K
Karin Schill
Guest
I'm a fan of Elizabeth Taylor, both as an actress and as a humanitarian. She was unique and there will never be anyone like her again.
I am also a fan of Richard Burton. I do think the two of them made a great couple. Their chemistry on screen was also electrifying.
Now as for the movies, I have watched pretty much all Elizabeth Taylor movies except Quo Vadis (1951) and Scent of Mystery (1960).
I have most of the movies on DVD and some on Home Video. I have not seen all of her Tv appearances though.
My favorite movies with Elizabeth Taylor are "Cleopatra" (1963), The Sandpiper (1965), Taming of the Shrew (1967) and Who's Afraid of Virigina Woolf (1966).
Some other favorites include: National Velvet (1944), Raintree County (1957), Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958), Secret Ceremony (1968), Zee & Co (1972) and A Little Night Music (1977).
The worst movie I've ever seen with her is Under Milkwood (1971). I think you have to be from Wales to get that one as it is based on a play by a famous Welshman.
It is much more a Richard Burton movie than Elizabeth Taylor. She appears maybe 5 minutes tops. The movie pictures everyday things in a Welsh village and ordinary life. It is dull.
I think a part of what made Elizabeth's acting so interesting is because she could say so much with just the look in her eyes.
One movie that I really liked that nobody has mentioned yet is "Blue Bird" (1976). This is a rather peculiar movie where Elizabeth portrays four different characters.
I think her performance as the old lady is most impressive as she looks nothing like Elizabeth Taylor and if I didn't know it was her who was hiding behind the mask I'd never have guessed it was her.
Oh and Ava Gardner was also in that movie. It was filmed in Soviet.
I am also a fan of Richard Burton. I do think the two of them made a great couple. Their chemistry on screen was also electrifying.
Now as for the movies, I have watched pretty much all Elizabeth Taylor movies except Quo Vadis (1951) and Scent of Mystery (1960).
I have most of the movies on DVD and some on Home Video. I have not seen all of her Tv appearances though.
My favorite movies with Elizabeth Taylor are "Cleopatra" (1963), The Sandpiper (1965), Taming of the Shrew (1967) and Who's Afraid of Virigina Woolf (1966).
Some other favorites include: National Velvet (1944), Raintree County (1957), Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958), Secret Ceremony (1968), Zee & Co (1972) and A Little Night Music (1977).
The worst movie I've ever seen with her is Under Milkwood (1971). I think you have to be from Wales to get that one as it is based on a play by a famous Welshman.
It is much more a Richard Burton movie than Elizabeth Taylor. She appears maybe 5 minutes tops. The movie pictures everyday things in a Welsh village and ordinary life. It is dull.
I think a part of what made Elizabeth's acting so interesting is because she could say so much with just the look in her eyes.
One movie that I really liked that nobody has mentioned yet is "Blue Bird" (1976). This is a rather peculiar movie where Elizabeth portrays four different characters.
I think her performance as the old lady is most impressive as she looks nothing like Elizabeth Taylor and if I didn't know it was her who was hiding behind the mask I'd never have guessed it was her.
Oh and Ava Gardner was also in that movie. It was filmed in Soviet.
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Beatty was still quite boyish at that point, and Liz was just on the cusp of her dowdy phase. I didn't think the age disparity was too noticeable in the photo Caproni posted, but that close-up looks like an alternate version of THE GRADUATE.
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Even physically they don't match, to me. Liz looked much older than him somehow.
I think it's the hairdo, and the fact that she was groomed during a different Hollywood era.
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Yeah, considering it was already in the Liz Taylor solo collection, TCM should've replaced THE SANDPIPER with THE TAMING OF THE SHREW for the Taylor-Burton combo.
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The third season of Lucille Ball's third television series, entitled HERE'S LUCY, kicked off with a bang when the Burtons guest-starred as fictionalized versions of themselves. Of course, no one can accuse the show of being outstanding in terms of writing, but one cannot deny the "performance" aspect of Ball's shows.
Lucy and Richard didn't get along, so the story goes, but the episode is a standout within the HERE'S LUCY canon. I'd argue that Elizabeth and Richard's guest appearance helped push the show into the Top 5 for the season (it finished strong at #3 in 1971). The episode, called "Lucy Meets the Burtons", is by no means flawless, but it does include a good bit of physical comedy from Lucy, and it is enjoyable seeing Liz & Dick (as the press liked to call them) play up their tabloid image for comedic effect.
Lucy and Richard didn't get along, so the story goes, but the episode is a standout within the HERE'S LUCY canon. I'd argue that Elizabeth and Richard's guest appearance helped push the show into the Top 5 for the season (it finished strong at #3 in 1971). The episode, called "Lucy Meets the Burtons", is by no means flawless, but it does include a good bit of physical comedy from Lucy, and it is enjoyable seeing Liz & Dick (as the press liked to call them) play up their tabloid image for comedic effect.
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I suppose my opinion on HERE'S LUCY is well documented around here, but the show was not good. That said, the episode with the Burtons is somewhat less not good than the series as a whole. Burton's performance was mumbly and lazy, but Liz was pretty funny. Liz may have missed her calling by not starring in more comedies; she seemed to have a largely untapped gift.
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Liz was quite funny on the show, I will give her that. I used to think that, like Davis and Crawford, Taylor wasn't very good a comedy. I appeared to me that she seemed more at home in heavier melodramas (based on what I had seen of her). But judging by this HERE'S LUCY episode, for example, I'd say she was pretty good at comedy. I don't know if she should've did her own sitcom or anything, but she should've done more comedy.