I just learned of the death of one of Hollywood's true screen legends, Elizabeth Taylor. I've been a big fan of hers for years, so I'm uncharacteristically speechless at her passing.
The closest thing I have to a tribute to Ms. Taylor is the following post, reprinted from my David'Z RantZ blog, where it appeared on December 2, 2008:
Sunday, I was at my recently-revived stand at a local flea market, and one of the other dealers, an elderly woman, was commenting on some of the old -- 1950s-1970s -- magazines which I had for sale.
She first remarked on a Life magazine featuring a stunning close-up of Sophia Loren on its cover. Then her eyes were caught by an unusual cover photo of Elizabeth Taylor on a Look magazine.
"How many husbands has she had?" she asked me, referring to Taylor.
"Seven or eight," I replied uncertainly, "depending on whether you count Richard Burton as one husband or two."
"That's right, she married him twice."
"And," I said, searching my memory, "I don't think she married anyone else in between her marriages to him."
"Her first husband was that millionaire," she said.
"Yeah, 'Nicky' Hilton. Then it was the actor Michael Wilding, then Mike Todd... " I was picking up speed. My aforementioned "uncertainty" was gone.
"He's the one who died," she interjected.
"Yup. In a plane crash." I continued. "Then there was Eddie Fisher, then Burton... "
She made a funny face when I mentioned Fisher. "Yeah, she started seeing [Burton] when she was still married to Fisher."
"Then she married him again, and then she married John Warner, the senator... "
"Oh, that's right!"
"Then she married that... What was he, a limo driver?"
"Wasn't he a Polish guy?"
That made the final name "click" for me. "Larry Fortensky!"
And the conversation continued...
* * * * *
Several years ago, comedian Will Durst was doing a routine wherein he referenced Flintstone Vitamins. He sang "Ten million strong... " and paused.
Predictably, the entire crowd sang "...and growing!" in answer.
"Isn't it amazing," said Durst, "the shit that gets trapped within the crevices of your mind?" (Speaking of the jingle for Flintstone Vitamins, there's an amusing discussion thread here, if you're interested.)
That's how I feel sometimes, being the so-called "god of Trivia." Knowing how they "shrink" a head... Knowing all the names -- in order, no less! -- of Liz Taylor's husbands...
And I wonder how much other "important stuff" won't fit in -- or has been "squeezed out" of -- my brain, by the trivial "shit that [got] trapped within the crevices of [my] mind?"
* * * * *
Anyway, here are some more shots of the ever-so-captivating Liz Taylor, because... well... because I can, I guess!
The closest thing I have to a tribute to Ms. Taylor is the following post, reprinted from my David'Z RantZ blog, where it appeared on December 2, 2008:
Sunday, I was at my recently-revived stand at a local flea market, and one of the other dealers, an elderly woman, was commenting on some of the old -- 1950s-1970s -- magazines which I had for sale.
She first remarked on a Life magazine featuring a stunning close-up of Sophia Loren on its cover. Then her eyes were caught by an unusual cover photo of Elizabeth Taylor on a Look magazine.
"How many husbands has she had?" she asked me, referring to Taylor.
"Seven or eight," I replied uncertainly, "depending on whether you count Richard Burton as one husband or two."
"That's right, she married him twice."
"And," I said, searching my memory, "I don't think she married anyone else in between her marriages to him."
"Her first husband was that millionaire," she said.
"Yeah, 'Nicky' Hilton. Then it was the actor Michael Wilding, then Mike Todd... " I was picking up speed. My aforementioned "uncertainty" was gone.
"He's the one who died," she interjected.
"Yup. In a plane crash." I continued. "Then there was Eddie Fisher, then Burton... "
She made a funny face when I mentioned Fisher. "Yeah, she started seeing [Burton] when she was still married to Fisher."
"Then she married him again, and then she married John Warner, the senator... "
"Oh, that's right!"
"Then she married that... What was he, a limo driver?"
"Wasn't he a Polish guy?"
That made the final name "click" for me. "Larry Fortensky!"
And the conversation continued...
* * * * *
Several years ago, comedian Will Durst was doing a routine wherein he referenced Flintstone Vitamins. He sang "Ten million strong... " and paused.
Predictably, the entire crowd sang "...and growing!" in answer.
"Isn't it amazing," said Durst, "the shit that gets trapped within the crevices of your mind?" (Speaking of the jingle for Flintstone Vitamins, there's an amusing discussion thread here, if you're interested.)
That's how I feel sometimes, being the so-called "god of Trivia." Knowing how they "shrink" a head... Knowing all the names -- in order, no less! -- of Liz Taylor's husbands...
And I wonder how much other "important stuff" won't fit in -- or has been "squeezed out" of -- my brain, by the trivial "shit that [got] trapped within the crevices of [my] mind?"
* * * * *
Anyway, here are some more shots of the ever-so-captivating Liz Taylor, because... well... because I can, I guess!
she was an icon...and i was sad to see her passing on the feed today...
ReplyDeleteOne of the last classic great beauties!
ReplyDeleteShe was a true beauty. Seems like all the famous people that I grew up knowing are now dying. It's pretty depressing. Especially the way I feel today - sick as a junk-yard dog with cold and sore throat. Coughing sneezing feeling awful. Hope you are doing better than I am, for sure.
ReplyDeleteI think I liked Elizabeth best in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof". But there were so many... I'm sure if I read a list I would find another and another and another....
So beautiful. That's a great cover! Is there still a Look magazine? (going to go look)
ReplyDeleteVery nice write up and Yes I know who she is..haha
ReplyDeletedid you remember she played Wilma Flintstone's mother in the movie?
ReplyDelete@Cali. Girl: Yeah, I remember... but I purposely gave that movie a miss.
ReplyDeleteShe was also the voice when Maggie Simpson spoke her first word, IIRC.