Cynthia (1947) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

'Cynthia' is a 1947 drama starring Elizabeth Taylor, Mary Astor, George Murphy, Gene Lockhart, Spring Byington and S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall.

Cynthia (played by Taylor) is a 15 year old who gets sick often and lives with her overprotective parents. She befriends a dog, but is unable to keep it, due to being allergic to dogs.  After the landlord puts the family home up for sale, Cynthia's parents are forced to chose whether they should attempt to purchase the home or move away. 

The film's musical program features some memorable MGM songs including "Buckledown Winsockie" from 'Best Foot Forward' (1943) and "The Trolley Song" from 'Meet Me In St. Louis' (1944).

Early example of feminism

This film is an early example of feminism in cinema. It is Cynthia's mother who dominates the relationship in her marriage. She is the one with the wealthy inheritance, she is the one who permits Cynthia to attend the prom, she is the one who makes the final decision on whether or not to buy the house, and she is the one who leads her husband through his journey of self discovery.

Closing remarks

'Cynthia' stats off rather slow with the first hour dragging on quite a bit, but it does get better. I think of 'Cynthia' as one of the original mean girls movies, with Cynthia's malicious cousin Fredonia deliberately sabotaging her chance at happiness at school. That is until Cynthia grows the courage to bite back. Elizabeth Taylor delivers a great performance in this film, and we are also treated to a rare singing appearance.

The Mirror Crack'd (1980) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

"Out flew the web and floated wide - the mirror crack'd from side to side; 'The curse is come upon me', cried the Lady of Shalott." - Angela Lansbury (as Miss Marple in 'The Mirror Crack'd')


'The Mirror Crack'd' is a 1980 Agatha Christie murder mystery directed by Guy Hamilton and starring Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple, with Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis, Kim Novak, Geraldine Chaplin, Edward Fox and Charles Gray.

The film is based on the Agatha Christie novel "The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side". 

Kim Novak, Rock Hudson & Elizabeth Taylor in the film

Set in 1953, American star Marina Rudd (played by Taylor) and her director husband Jason Rudd (played by Hudson) have visitied the town of St. Mary Meades to make a movie on 'Mary, Queen of Scots & Elizabeth I'. Co-starring with Marina is her rival Lola Brewster (played by Novak), who was cast due to her husband Marty Fenn (played by Curtis) producing the film.

Shortly after arriving, Marina meets a devoted fan, Heather Babcock (played by Maureen Bennett) who is poisoned shortly after meeting her. As Heather drank a cocktail which was made for Marina, it is presumed Marina was the intended murder victim and she becomes paranoid.

It is now up to Miss Marple (played by Lansbury) and her detective nephew Inspector Craddock to solve the mystery before Marina or anyone else is killed.



Watch some clips from the film

Did you know...

• The title of the film is taken from the poem "The Lady of Shalott" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
• Natalie Wood turned down the role of Marina Rudd due to disagreeing with cast billing and the way the character was being portrayed
• The last film appearances of Anthony Steel, Dinah Sheridan and Charles Lloyd Pack
• Angela Lansbury was only 54 when she portrayed the elderly Miss Marple 
• Stars Angela Lansbury, Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis were all born in the same year, 1925
• Keep your eye out for an early film appearance by Pierce Brosnan as James
• The movie was filmed at Twickenham Film Studios in Twickenham, London, and on location in Kent
• The poster for the pretend film within a film "Murder at Midnight", features the real actor's names appearing in the sequence
• After this film, Angela Lansbury was meant to star in a second Miss Marple film "Appointment with Murder", but it did not eventuate
• The third Agatha Christie movie in the Brabourne-Goodwin series, following 'Murder onthe Orient Express' (1974) and 'Death on the Nile' (1978)
• Production for this film was delayed as a year as Angela Lansbury was starring in the Broadway production of 'Sweeney Todd'

Award nomination....

• Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Film Saturn award nomination for Best Actress (Angela Lansbury)

Closing remarks

'The Mirror Crack'd' is an entertaining Agatha Christie mystery. Angela Lansbury was very game to take on the role as Miss Marple, especially after the brillant portryal of Miss Marple by the great Margaret Rutherford in four films. Although Lansbury's performance is not bad, I can't help comparing it to Rutherford's fantastic portrayal. That said, we finally see Elizabeth Taylor give one of her better performances of her late career.

Elizabeth Taylor and Kim Novak are both fantastic in their roles as the bickering rival film stars. This film would have been a perfect film for Bette Davis and Joan Crawford had it been made 15 years earlier.

National Velvet (1944) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

'National Velvet' is a 1944 family drama directed by Clarence Brown and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney, Anne Revere, Donald Crisp, Angela Lansbury, Jackie "Butch" Jenkins and Reginald Owen.

In 2003, 'National Velvet' was selected for preservation by the US Library of Congress National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Based on the novel by Enid Bagnold, 'National Velvet' tells of the story of 12 year old Velvet Brown (played by Taylor), living in Sewels, Sussex, England, as her abnomrally close relationship with her horse, Pie. Velvet wins Pie in a raffle and aided by a young drifter, Mi Taylor (played by Rooney), Velvet is determined for Pie to win the Grand National horse race.

Did you know...

• An 18 year old Gene Tierney was offered the role of Velvet Brown in 1939 - due to production delays, Tierney returned to Broadway; when the film resumed Tierney had already signed a contract with 20th Century Fox
• Susanna Foster turned down the role of Velvet Brown
• Future British MP Baroness Shirley Williams auditioned for the role of Velvet Brown
• In 1941, MGM proposed filming 'National Velvet' with Shirley Temple and Spencer Tracy, however Temple's mother turned it down beliving it wouldn't showcase her daughter's talent - 8 years later Temple starred in a similar film 'The Story of Seabiscuit' (1949) which was not a success
• Most of the film was filemd in Pebble Beach, Calfornia with most of the scenic views are from the Pebble Beach Golf Links - if you look closely you can see some golf holes in the background
• Elizabeth Taylor was given The Pie as a birthday gift after filming was filming
• A spin-off TV series 'National Velvet' was broadcast in 1960
• A sequel called 'International Velvet' followed in 1978

Awards and nominations...

• Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress (Anne Revere)
• Academy Award winner for Best Film Editing (Robert Kern)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Director (Clarence Brown)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Color (Cedric Gibbons, Urie McCleary, Edwin B. Willis & Mildred Griffiths)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography, Color (Leonard Smith)

Closing remarks

'National Velvet' is a heartwarming family film, although it does get quite slow at times, and overall runs a little too long.

We do get some great performances from some of the great child//teen stars of the 1940s: Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney, Angela Lansbury and Jackie "Butch" Jenkins. I would say Jenkins steals the film with his brilliant performance as the youngest child.

The musical score sounds very much like the Christmas carol "What Child is This", which makes the film feel like a Christmas movie even through it isn't. I also found it a little corny hearing Velvet's parents call each other "Mr. Brown" and "Mrs. Brown", especially since they were married.

If you have a young daughter, I strongly advise agaisnt showing them 'National Velvet' as they too will want a horse of their own to ride to victory.

Elizabeth Taylor: An Intimate Portrait (1975) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

"Elizabeth Taylor: An Intimate Portrait" (aka: "Elizabeth Taylor: Hollywood's Child") is a 1975 documentary based on the life and career of Elizabeth Taylor.

Narrated and hosted by actor Peter Lawford, the documentary features clips and highlights from many of Elizabeth Taylor's classic films, as well as interview footage from those who knew her best... her mother, her co-stars, her friends.

The documentary features the following highlights:

• actor and friend Rock Hudson talking about the making of "Giant" (1956)
• Sarah Taylor (her mother) gives a very rare interview and talks about Elizabeth's childhood and how she first got started in film
• director Richard Brooks talks about the making of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958), and the tragic death of Mike Todd
• footage of Elizabeth Taylor winning her Oscar for "Butterfield 8" (1960), the film she hated
• actor and friend Roddy McDowall talks about making "Lassie Come Home" (1943), "Cleopatra" (1963) and their life long friendship
• costume designer Helen Rose talks about the costumes she designed for Elizabeth Taylor
• producer Sam Marx talks about how he came to discover the child Elizabeth Taylor and cast her in "Lassie Come Home" (1943)
• Vincente Minnelli talks about directing Elizabeth Taylor in "Father of the Bride" (1950) and "The Sandpiper" (1965)

Closing remarks

I have seen quite a few documentaries on Elizabeth Taylor, and I must say this is the best I have seen. What I like most about this particular documentary is the way in which it treats it's subject with the respect she deserves. We are also treated to some candid and intimate interview moments with Elizabeth Taylor's inner circle of friends. The only disappointing thing about the documentary, is that it did not feature an interview with Elizabeth Taylor herself.

Boom! (1968) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

"The chopping of a head is a sure cure for a tongue that's too big for a mouth" - Elizabeth Taylor (as Sissy Goforth in 'Boom!')

'Boom!' is a 1968 British drama directed by Joseph Losey and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Noel Coward and Joanna Shimkus. The film was adapted by Tennessee Williams, from his play 'The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore'.

Sissy Goforth (played by Taylor) is one of the richest women in the world, living on her lavish private island home on Isle Goforth. While she is dictating her memoirs for an autobiography to her secretary Miss Black (played by), a drifter poet named Chris (played by Burton) washes up on the island's beach.  Sissy is set into panic mode after the Witch of Capri (played by Coward) informs her Chris is the angel of death, and visits people just before they die.

Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton on the set of the film - and yes,
Liz wears that thing on her head in the film

Did you know...

• This was the eighth of eleven films real-life husband and wife Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made together
• This was writer Tennessee Williams' favourite film adaptation of all his plays
• Tennessee Williams had wanted Sean Connery to play the role of Chris Flanders, but he declined
• James Fox was originally meant to play Chris Flanders, however Elizabeth Taylor wanted her husband Richard Burton, even though Burton was 20 years older than the character he was playing
• This is one of film director's John Waters' favourite films
• Topol rejected the opportunity to appear in this film
• James Bernard was considered to compose the film's musical score
• This was the first mainstream British film to include the word "Shit" in it's dialogue

Closing remarks

This film won't appeal to all tastes, and I think a more appropriate title for the film would have been 'Bomb!', as that's essentially what it was when it was released.

Elizabeth Taylor is well-cast as rich bitch Sissy, living on a private island with countless servants at her beck and call. I do like the spectacular home with it's classic Mediterranean architecture and modern interior design and furniture. The home is complimented with gorgeous location photography taken in Sardinia and Rome in Italy.

In my opinion Elizabeth Taylor's worst film, which caused irreparable damage to her box office success and film career. I recommend watching this film only if you love Elizabeth Taylor... a lot!

Julia Misbehaves (1948) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor & Peter Lawford on the set of the film

'Julia Misbehaves' is a 1948 romantic comedy directed by Jack Conway and starring Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Lawford, Cesar Romero, Lucille Watson, Mary Boland and Reginald Owen.

Julia Packett is an actress living in London in 1936 who receives an invitation to her daughter Susan's (played by Taylor) wedding. She has not seen her daughter since she was a baby, and is excited about going to the wedding. Meanwhile Julia's disapproving mother-in-law (played by Watson) is horrrified once she finds out Julia is coming for the wedding and sends Julia's husband William Packett (played by Pidgeon) to stop her. On the trip to Paris, Julia meets acrobat Fred Ghenoccio (played by Romero), who proposes to Julia.  Matters are complicated once Julia has to chose between her estranged husband and her new fiancee. 

Musical program

Greer Garson sings two sings in the film:

• "When You're Playing With Fire"
• "Oh, What a Difference the Navy Made to Me!"

Song: "When You're Playing with Fire" - Greer Garson

Did you know...

Elizabeth Taylor & Peter Lawford in the film

• This was the fifth of eight movies to star Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon
• Peter Lawford gave Elizabeth Taylor her first on-screen kiss in this film
• Greer Garson met future husband E.E. Fogelson, a friend of Peter Lawford, on the set of this film

Closing remarks

Not a well known MGM romantic comedy, but still a lot of fun despite it's cliched plot and predictable ending. Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon still make a great pair in their fifth movie together, although  Elizabeth Taylor and Peter Lawford deliver average performances in this film. Supporting stars Cesar Romero and Mary Boland steal the film with their over the top comedic delivery. Worth watching and without high expectations and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Life With Father (1947) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

"I won't have my life arranged for me. I bought this house for my own comfort. I will not submit myself to this indignity!" - William Powell (as Clarence Day Sr. in 'Life With Father')

'Life With Father' is a 1947 comedy directed by Michael Curtiz and stars William Powell, Irene Dunne, Elizabeth Taylor, Edmund Gwenn, ZaSu Pitts, Jimmy Lydon, Martin Milner and Clara Blandick. The film's screenplay was written by Donald Ogden Stewart, who adapted the play by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, who based the play on the autobiography of Clarence Day Jr.

Clarence Day Sr. (played by Powell) lives with his wife Vinnie (played by Dunne) and his five children. Clarence Sr. wants to be the man of the house, however finds he has little control with his wife making many of the decisions. Once it is discovered Clarence Sr. was never baptised as a child, Vinnie is devastated and has concerns she and Clarence may not be legally married, and she will forced to spend an eternity in heaven without him. After Vinnie tries forcing Clarence to be baptised, things get a little too much and Clarence is forced to put his foot down.

Public domain film

'Life with Father' is considered to be in the public domain. This means the either film's copyright was not renewed and expired, or the film was never copyrighted (as it's not listed in the Catalog of Copyright Entires). As a result, the film has been released by many different budget VHS/DVD distributors, who often use inferior quality copies. Sadly MGM is yet to release a high quality DVD print of this film.

Did you know...

• Mary Pickford was originally meant to make her big screen comeback as Vinnie Day in this film - MGM was concerned about her box office popularity after a 13 year screen absence, so director Michael Curtiz decided to use Irene Dunne
• William Powell & Irene Dunne had first wanted top-billing in this film and as a compromise half of the prints listed Irene Dunne, and the other half listed William Powell first - Either version alternated each day in cinemas, as did newspaper advertisements
• The original play ran from 1939 to 1947, and with 3224 performances it is still the longest-running non-musical play on Broadway, and the fifteenth longest-running play ever (as of October 2012)
• Due to the Hays Production Code, the last line from the play "I'm going to be baptized, dammit!" was unable to used in the film, leading to the line being rewritten as simply "I'm going to be baptized!"
• Aside from the color scenes in 'Leathernecking' (1930), this was Irene Dunne's only colour film

Awards & nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a leading role (William Powell)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction-Set Direction, color (Robert M. Haas & George James Hopkins)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography, color (J. Peverell Marley & William V. Skall)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Music, scoring of a dramatic or comedy picture (Max Steiner)
• Globe Globe Award winner for Best Score, Motion Picture
• New York Film Critics Circle Award winner for Best Actor (William Powell)

Closing remarks

I remember first watching this film when I was 14 years old, and remember enjoying it a lot, but I couldn't quite remember why. I watched the film again the other day and enjoyed it just as much as I did first time, and I realised why I couldn't remember. There is no particular reason why I enjoyed watching this film - almost everything about the entire film is enjoyable.

William Powell delivers an exceptional performance, and in my opinion one of his best.  Elizabeth Taylor is amusing supporting role as Mary, a girl whom Clarence Jr. becomes infatuated with.

If you have two hours to spare, I strongly recommend watching this film. Other than the poor quality of the print, I guarantee you will laugh yourself silly and won't be disappointed.