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.

Courage of Lassie (1946) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

'Courage of Lassie' is a 1944 family film directed by Fred M. Wilcox, and stars Lassie, Elizabeth Taylor, Selena Royale, Frank Morgan, Harry Davenport, Tom Drake & George Cleveland. It is the third of seven Lassie films produced by MGM.

A collie pup is separated from its mother and is forced to survive in the wild. After being accidentally shot by a young hunter, the injured dog is found by Kathie Merrick (played by Taylor) who adopts him and calls him Bill. Bill is trained to be a sheep dog by shepherd Mr. MacBain (played by Morgan), where he helps locate a missing flock of sheep for Kathie's family. After being hit by a truck, Bill is adopted by the army and trained to be a war dog, where he works closely with Sergeant Smitty (played by Drake).


Watch the trailer:

The opening sequence

With the exception of a very short appearance by George Cleveland, the first 20 minutes of the film, has no dialogue or human actors. It is primarily footage of the young pup growing up and surviving in the wild, where we see him make friends with wild animals such as a bear and a raven, and even survive a torrent.  I very much like this opening sequence with it's beautiful images of nature and of Lake Chelan in Washington.

Influence of World War II

The film was produced shortly after the onset of World War II. It uses the character Lassie, to show the psychological impacts war has on soldiers.

This is explained in the courtroom speech made my Mr. MacBain: "It just occurred to me that perhaps a lot of our boys would be coming back not quite ready to take up where they left off. They've gone through more than what most of us could ever think of, and they're going to need patience and love and understanding from all of us. But most of all perhaps they'll need time. They didn't become soldiers in a day, so we can't expect them to become civilians in a day."

This speech is intended to raise awareness and educate movie goers to be patient with returning war soldiers, as the man returning may not necessarily be the same as the man who went to war.

Did you know...

• Although the title features the name Lassie, there is no mention of the character "Lassie" anywhere in the film
• The dog who played Lassie was actually called Pal - Lassie was his stage name
• This was the second "Lassie" film which starred Elizabeth Taylor - however Taylor played a different character in the first film "Lassie Come Home"
• This was the first film where Elizabeth Taylor received top billing in the credits
• George Cleveland, who plays the old man in the opening scene would later star in the 1954 TV series of "Lassie"
• This film was shot on location in Railroad Creek by Lake Chelan, near Holden Village, Washington

Closing remarks

An average family film, sadly not as enjoyable as the first "Lassie Come Home". Frank Morgan as always is a delight to watch and Elizabeth Taylor delivers a fine performance. I found this entry in the 'Lassie' franchise a little too dark for children, who may not understand the world war II influence noted above. That said, the message within this film for adults is still relevant today with soldiers who may be returning home from Iraq.

White Cliffs of Dover (1943) - Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor

'White Cliffs of Dover' is a patriot 1943 war-drama directed by Clarence Brown and starring Irene Dunne with Alan Marshall, Frank Morgan, Gladys Cooper, Van Johnson, Dame May Whitty, Roddy McDowell, Peter Lawford, C. Aubrey Smith and Elizabeth Taylor.

The film's screenplay was written by Claudine West, Jan Lustig and George Froeschel, and his based on the Alice Duer Miller poem "The White Cliffs", with additional poetry by Robert Nathan.


Susan Dunn (played by Dunne) travels to England with her father (played by Morgan) for two weeks, however Susan decides to stay permanently after she meets and marries Englishman Sir. John Ashwood (played by Marshall).  

Narrative structure

The first act in the film is a delightful romance, with hints of comedy. The second act if the film is set with the break of World War I and becomes a little more serious. The third act is even more serious as World War II begins.

The White Cliffs of Dover...

The White Cliffs of Dover are cliffs which form part of the English coastline facing the Strait of Dover and France.The cliffs reach a height of 350 feet or 100 metres.

The white cliffs of dover

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography - Black & white

Did you know...

• Tom Drake appears in the film uncredited as a dying American soldier
• Ronald Colman owned the rights to the Alice Duer Miller poem, but sold them to Clarence Brown, who then sold them to MGM in order to make this film

Closing remarks

A beautiful, tender and powerful film boasting a wonderful cast whom all deliver fantastic performances. As usual Frank Morgan is a delight, Gladys Cooper is perfectly cast, and Dame May Whitty steals every scene she is in. With the current war in Iraq still continuing, this film is still as relevant today as it was in 1944.


My three reasons for watching this film are all related to actors within the film:

• Elizabeth Taylor in one of her first movie appearances
• Supporting actors stealing the film (Frank Morgan, Gladys Cooper and Dame May Whitty) 
• An amusing cameo appearance from Van Johnson

Star of the month... Elizabeth Taylor (October 2012)

Our Star of the Month for October 2012 is the glamourous Elizabeth Taylor...

Throughout the month I will attempt to watch and blog as many of the following films as possible

Early films

• Lassie Come Home (1943)
• The White Cliffs of Dover (1944)
• Courage of Lassie (1946)
• Cynthia (1947)
• A Date With Judy (1948)
• Julia Misbehaves (1948)
• Little Women (1949)
• Conspirator (1949)

Elizabeth Taylor in the 1950s

• The Big Hangover (1950)
• Father's Little Dividend (1951)
• Quo Vadis (1951)
• Love Is Better Than Ever (1952)
• Ivanhoe (1952)
• The Girl Who Had Everything (1953)
• Rhapsody (1954)
• Beau Brummell (1954)
• Elephant Walk (1954)
• The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954)

The Essentials

• National Velvet (1944)
• Father of the Bride (1950)
• A Place in the Sun (1951)
• Giant (1956)
• Raintree County (1957)
• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
• Suddenly Last Summer (1959)
• Butterfield 8 (1960)

Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton

• Cleopatra (1963)
• The VIPs (1963)
• The Sandpiper (1965)
• Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
• The Taming of the Shrew (1967)
• The Comedians (1967)
• Here's Lucy (TV guest appearance)

Late career

• The Mirror Crack'd (1980)
• The Nanny (1996) (TV guest appearance)

Documentaries

• That's Entertainment (1974)
• Elizabeth Taylor: An Intimate Portrait