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This might not be the best place to post this, but what a loss today on the passing of Elizabeth Taylor. Char informed me this morning when I talked to her, and then she reminded me also that she met her and worked with her briefly when she was in a play in NYC in early 60s. Have to confess I think I only saw two of her movies - Cleo and Virginia Wolfe, but still she was so constant in the world I grew up in. Never was interested in the movies she was in tho. Char told me she got a letter from her when she left NY to continue her college but I know that's long gone with all the moves and shuffling.
No better or no more poorly valued by Him than the rest of us, but what a great humanitarian and beauty!
Tom
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Wow, Tom. Did Char work in theatre? What did she do?
It's true that possibly none of her films would be considered "greats", but she was one of the few left from an era of great stars.
BW
Married 1989
His PA 2003-2006
2 kids.
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At the risk of alienating a number of people here, I think it's a shame to honor a woman here who was married EIGHT times, exhibited very poor personal behavior and boundaries, and is mostly admired for her beauty than anything else.
I feel badly about speaking ill of the dead, but there is so much the late Elizabeth Taylor has in common with my WxW that the mere thought of her is enough to cause me distress.
Sorry, I don't mean to be disrespectful. But there is always "another side..."
Preach the Gospel every day. When necessary, use words.
St. Francis of Assissi
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a woman here who was married EIGHT times, But I'm sure she really really meant it each time. She meant it double for Richard Burton!
BW
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Valid point to bring up, Fred. I was saddened when, reading about her life today, I discovered her numerous roles in adulterous relationships. As much as I'd prefer to maintain the image of this philanthropic humanitarian, those choices mar the whole picture.
But, SC, you're right - she is/was one of the very few left from a bygone era.
Me - 30 (FWW)
H - 30 (BH)
DSx2
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But, SC, you're right - she is/was one of the very few left from a bygone era. MRs V, that was damning with faint praise. I couldn't think of anything good to say about her personally. She was indeed one of the last of her time - but that is not a personal quality!
BW
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But, SC, you're right - she is/was one of the very few left from a bygone era. MRs V, that was damning with faint praise. I couldn't think of anything good to say about her personally. She was indeed one of the last of her time - but that is not a personal quality! I disagree, SC, though on re-reading I see I wasn't clear with the warm fuzzies I have for those greats and that particular bygone era. I think it speaks to her personal qualities - her prowess as an actress, her presence on stage, her long-ranging and well-received career - that she is indeed included in that era and mourned accordingly. Moreover, it's not just her career that is mourned. As I alluded to, she was very active in charities and various advocacy positions, and those are certainly good works to be lauded. My point is that my view of her was tarnished by learning of her adulteries. 
Last edited by Mrs_Vanilla; 03/23/11 08:40 PM. Reason: reworded
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I see your point, Mrs V.
I haven't seen very many of her films either (and my favourite is National Velvet!), but I have read that she wasn't much praised for her acting. I can't quite square that with her having got two Oscars, but I do remember reading that. She seemed to get parts because of her looks, but she never stretched herself in trying to interpret her characters.
BW
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I think some actors are better when the part they play is "suited" for them. The other day I watched a movie called "Cop Out" starring Bruce Willis.
Now, I think Bruce Willis is superb in "kick flicks" like Die Hard. In this supposed comedy, he tries to play the Bruce Willis part in a movie that is just so wrong for him that it seems at times even his character knows it's wrong.
My opinion is that Taylor won her Oscar for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf because she truly was so much like the character she portrayed. The movie role was made for her.
The depth of an actor is that he/she can make you believe the role they are playing -- no matter what. Willis was terrific in The Sixth Sense, in my opinion, because the role was not the macho, he-man type he usually plays. Sometimes not even a great actor can revive a dead movie, however.
Taylor was not up to some movies. And some movies were not up to Taylor.
Preach the Gospel every day. When necessary, use words.
St. Francis of Assissi
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I agree, SC: sometimes thinking she has 2 Oscars when many of her roles seem just okay/the same makes me scratch my head a bit. And yet she is overall regarded as a success. Maybe Fred is on to something.
It's something about personality and presence, about the celebrity (in a legitimate way), that makes an actor or actress so much more than their movies, I think...
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I did admire her, though, for her work with HIV/AIDs. She did a lot as far as that--not many celebrities have much to do with HIV anymore.
One year becomes two, two years becomes five, five becomes ten and before you know it, you've wasted your whole life on a problem you can't solve. That's one way to spend your life. -rwinger
I will not spend my life this way.
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I see your point, Mrs V.
I haven't seen very many of her films either (and my favourite is National Velvet!), but I have read that she wasn't much praised for her acting. I can't quite square that with her having got two Oscars, but I do remember reading that. She seemed to get parts because of her looks, but she never stretched herself in trying to interpret her characters. I think she was a fine example of what a good agent can do for an actor or actress. I don't think she had much in the way of acting ability, but she did have those striking violet eyes - and a good agent.
Last edited by maritalbliss; 03/24/11 06:31 PM.
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