2. Today we tell about the filmToday we tell about the film
star Elizabeth Taylor. Shestar Elizabeth Taylor. She
made over sixty films duringmade over sixty films during
her long career in Hollywood.her long career in Hollywood.
She was famous for herShe was famous for her
striking beauty, violet eyesstriking beauty, violet eyes
and shining black hair.and shining black hair.
Taylor was equally known forTaylor was equally known for
her complex private life andher complex private life and
eight marriages. Beginning ineight marriages. Beginning in
the nineteen eighties, she alsothe nineteen eighties, she also
raised millions of dollars toraised millions of dollars to
support AIDS research.support AIDS research.
CLEOPATRA: “Without you,CLEOPATRA: “Without you,
Antony, this is not a world IAntony, this is not a world I
want to live in, much lesswant to live in, much less
conquer. Because for me,conquer. Because for me,
there would be no lovethere would be no love
anywhere. Do you want me toanywhere. Do you want me to
die with you? I will. Or do youdie with you? I will. Or do you
want me to live with you?want me to live with you?
Whatever you choose.”Whatever you choose.”
3. That was ElizabethThat was Elizabeth
Taylor playing theTaylor playing the
queen of Egypt in thequeen of Egypt in the
nineteen sixty-threenineteen sixty-three
movie “Cleopatra.” Shemovie “Cleopatra.” She
earned over oneearned over one
million dollars for hermillion dollars for her
work in this movie. Atwork in this movie. At
the time, this was thethe time, this was the
most money ever paidmost money ever paid
to an actor for a singleto an actor for a single
film. It was also one offilm. It was also one of
the most costly moviesthe most costly movies
ever made. “Cleopatra”ever made. “Cleopatra”
was a larger-than-lifewas a larger-than-life
movie for a larger-movie for a larger-
than-life actress.than-life actress.
4. Elizabeth Rosemund TaylorElizabeth Rosemund Taylor
was born in nineteen thirty-was born in nineteen thirty-
two to American parents livingtwo to American parents living
in London. Her father Francisin London. Her father Francis
was an art dealer. Her motherwas an art dealer. Her mother
Sara had worked as a stageSara had worked as a stage
actress before her marriage.actress before her marriage.
The Taylors left England inThe Taylors left England in
nineteen thirty-nine andnineteen thirty-nine and
moved to southern California.moved to southern California.
Elizabeth’s beauty soon caughtElizabeth’s beauty soon caught
the attention of movie studiothe attention of movie studio
officials.officials.
She made her first movie,She made her first movie,
“There’s One Born Every“There’s One Born Every
Minute,” at the age of ten. ThisMinute,” at the age of ten. This
was followed a year later bywas followed a year later by
“Lassie Come Home.” But it“Lassie Come Home.” But it
was the nineteen forty-fourwas the nineteen forty-four
film, “National Velvet” thatfilm, “National Velvet” that
made her a star.made her a star.
5. Twelve-year-old Elizabeth TaylorTwelve-year-old Elizabeth Taylor
starred as Velvet Brown, a girl livingstarred as Velvet Brown, a girl living
in a village in England. She saves ain a village in England. She saves a
horse and trains him for an importanthorse and trains him for an important
race, which she wins.race, which she wins.
During the nineteen forties ElizabethDuring the nineteen forties Elizabeth
Taylor played many roles in moviesTaylor played many roles in movies
about families. Not all child actors inabout families. Not all child actors in
Hollywood were successful laterHollywood were successful later
playing adult roles. But Taylor easilyplaying adult roles. But Taylor easily
went from playing children to playingwent from playing children to playing
teenagers and adults. In nineteenteenagers and adults. In nineteen
fifty, she played the bride in thefifty, she played the bride in the
popular film “Father of the Bride.”popular film “Father of the Bride.”
That was also the year of her firstThat was also the year of her first
marriage, to the wealthy businessmanmarriage, to the wealthy businessman
Conrad “Nicky” Hilton. But theirConrad “Nicky” Hilton. But their
marriage ended in divorce the nextmarriage ended in divorce the next
year. Speaking after her first divorce,year. Speaking after her first divorce,
Taylor reportedly said that she hadTaylor reportedly said that she had
been able to fit in the clothing of abeen able to fit in the clothing of a
sexy woman since she was fourteensexy woman since she was fourteen
years old. She said her troublesyears old. She said her troubles
started because she had a woman’sstarted because she had a woman’s
body and a child’s emotions.body and a child’s emotions.
6. Elizabeth Taylor would quicklyElizabeth Taylor would quickly
become as famous for her privatebecome as famous for her private
life as she was for her actinglife as she was for her acting
career. The media often wrotecareer. The media often wrote
about her many marriages andabout her many marriages and
love affairs. In nineteen fifty-twolove affairs. In nineteen fifty-two
she married the British actorshe married the British actor
Michael Wilding, with whom sheMichael Wilding, with whom she
had two sons.had two sons.
Five years later they divorced, andFive years later they divorced, and
she married the film producershe married the film producer
Mike Todd. The couple had oneMike Todd. The couple had one
daughter, Liza. Mike Todd died indaughter, Liza. Mike Todd died in
nineteen fifty-eight in a planenineteen fifty-eight in a plane
crash. One of his close friendscrash. One of his close friends
was the singer Eddie Fisher. Hewas the singer Eddie Fisher. He
was married to a good friend ofwas married to a good friend of
Elizabeth Taylor, the popularElizabeth Taylor, the popular
actress Debbie Reynolds. Eddieactress Debbie Reynolds. Eddie
Fisher left his wife in order toFisher left his wife in order to
marry Elizabeth Taylor. Manymarry Elizabeth Taylor. Many
people were shocked and angeredpeople were shocked and angered
by this behavior.by this behavior.
7. Elizabeth Taylor once said thatElizabeth Taylor once said that
during the first part of her career,during the first part of her career,
she did not make a huge effort as anshe did not make a huge effort as an
actress. She said this changed inactress. She said this changed in
nineteen fifty-one with the movie “Anineteen fifty-one with the movie “A
Place in the Sun.” It tells a tragicPlace in the Sun.” It tells a tragic
story about a young man and hisstory about a young man and his
relationship with two women. Hererelationship with two women. Here
is a famous scene with her co-star,is a famous scene with her co-star,
Montgomery Clift.Montgomery Clift.
GEORGE: “I am the happiest personGEORGE: “I am the happiest person
in the world.”in the world.”
ANGELA: “The second happiest.”ANGELA: “The second happiest.”
GEORGE: “Oh, Angela, if I couldGEORGE: “Oh, Angela, if I could
only tell you how much I love you, ifonly tell you how much I love you, if
I could only tell you all.”I could only tell you all.”
ANGELA: “Tell Mama, tell MamaANGELA: “Tell Mama, tell Mama
all.”all.”
Critics praised Elizabeth Taylor forCritics praised Elizabeth Taylor for
the depth she brought to this movie.the depth she brought to this movie.
She expressed both innocence andShe expressed both innocence and
intense sensuality. She began tointense sensuality. She began to
receive wide praise for her fine andreceive wide praise for her fine and
expressive acting. And, she began toexpressive acting. And, she began to
receive richer, more interestingreceive richer, more interesting
roles.roles.
8. One of these was in the movie “Giant”One of these was in the movie “Giant”
with Rock Hudson and James Dean. Itwith Rock Hudson and James Dean. It
tells the story of a wealthy cattletells the story of a wealthy cattle
rancher in Texas and his family.rancher in Texas and his family.
JETT: “I guess you’re about the bestJETT: “I guess you’re about the best
looking gal we’ve seen around here inlooking gal we’ve seen around here in
a long time, I think. Prettiest I thinka long time, I think. Prettiest I think
I’ve seen down here.”I’ve seen down here.”
LESLIE: “Why thank you, Jett. That’s aLESLIE: “Why thank you, Jett. That’s a
very nice compliment. And I’m goingvery nice compliment. And I’m going
to tell my husband I’ve met with yourto tell my husband I’ve met with your
approval.”approval.”
The movie was a big success. JamesThe movie was a big success. James
Dean did not live to see the movieDean did not live to see the movie
completed. He died in a car accident incompleted. He died in a car accident in
nineteen fifty-five before the movienineteen fifty-five before the movie
was released the next year. Elizabethwas released the next year. Elizabeth
Taylor received Academy AwardTaylor received Academy Award
nominations for several films shenominations for several films she
made starting in the late nineteenmade starting in the late nineteen
fifties. The first was for the nineteenfifties. The first was for the nineteen
fifty-seven movie “Raintree County.”fifty-seven movie “Raintree County.”
9. The next year she starred in a filmThe next year she starred in a film
version of the Tennessee Williamsversion of the Tennessee Williams
play, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” Sheplay, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” She
plays a beautiful wife who is havingplays a beautiful wife who is having
marriage troubles. Her alcoholicmarriage troubles. Her alcoholic
husband is played by Paul Newman.husband is played by Paul Newman.
Many critics consider this one ofMany critics consider this one of
her best movies.her best movies.
MAGGIE: “Oh Brick! How long doesMAGGIE: “Oh Brick! How long does
this have to go on, thisthis have to go on, this
punishment? Haven’t I served mypunishment? Haven’t I served my
term? Can’t I apply for a pardon?”term? Can’t I apply for a pardon?”
BRICK: “Lately, that finishingBRICK: “Lately, that finishing
school voice of yours sounds likeschool voice of yours sounds like
you was running upstairs to tellyou was running upstairs to tell
someone the house is on fire.”someone the house is on fire.”
MAGGIE: “Is it any wonder? YouMAGGIE: “Is it any wonder? You
know what I feel like? I feel all theknow what I feel like? I feel all the
time like a cat on a hot tin roof.”time like a cat on a hot tin roof.”
BRICK: “Then jump off the roof,BRICK: “Then jump off the roof,
Maggie, jump off it. Now cats jumpMaggie, jump off it. Now cats jump
off roofs and they land uninjured.off roofs and they land uninjured.
Do it. Jump.”Do it. Jump.”
MAGGIE: “Jump where! IntoMAGGIE: “Jump where! Into
what?”what?”
10. Taylor’s third Academy AwardTaylor’s third Academy Award
nomination was for anothernomination was for another
movie based on a Tennesseemovie based on a Tennessee
Williams play called “SuddenlyWilliams play called “Suddenly
Last Summer.”Last Summer.”
In nineteen sixty, it was her turnIn nineteen sixty, it was her turn
to win. She received her firstto win. She received her first
Academy Award for her work inAcademy Award for her work in
“Butterfield 8”. Her second“Butterfield 8”. Her second
Academy Award for acting cameAcademy Award for acting came
six years later for her role insix years later for her role in
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia“Who’s Afraid of Virginia
Woolf?” She starred in thisWoolf?” She starred in this
movie opposite her husband atmovie opposite her husband at
the time, the Welsh actorthe time, the Welsh actor
Richard Burton.Richard Burton.
MARTHA: “In fact, he was sortMARTHA: “In fact, he was sort
of a flop. A great big, fat flop.”of a flop. A great big, fat flop.”
GEORGE: “Stop it, Martha.”GEORGE: “Stop it, Martha.”
MARTHA: “I hope that was anMARTHA: “I hope that was an
empty bottle, George. You can’tempty bottle, George. You can’t
afford to waste good liquor. Notafford to waste good liquor. Not
on your salary. Not on anon your salary. Not on an
associate professor’s salary.”associate professor’s salary.”
11. The movie was based on aThe movie was based on a
play by Edward Albee. Forplay by Edward Albee. For
this role, Elizabeth Taylorthis role, Elizabeth Taylor
gained a great deal of weightgained a great deal of weight
in order to look the part ofin order to look the part of
the aging wife of a collegethe aging wife of a college
professor. “Who’s Afraid ofprofessor. “Who’s Afraid of
Virginia Woolf?” receivedVirginia Woolf?” received
great praise. But it wasgreat praise. But it was
Taylor’s first movie withTaylor’s first movie with
Burton that had madeBurton that had made
history.history.
““Cleopatra” received a greatCleopatra” received a great
deal of attention for bringingdeal of attention for bringing
together Elizabeth Taylortogether Elizabeth Taylor
and Richard Burton. Bothand Richard Burton. Both
stars were married to otherstars were married to other
people at the time. But theypeople at the time. But they
began a widely publicizedbegan a widely publicized
love affair while filming thelove affair while filming the
movie.movie.
12. Burton and Taylor wouldBurton and Taylor would
eventually marry andeventually marry and
divorce each other twice.divorce each other twice.
They made many moviesThey made many movies
together and led a life oftogether and led a life of
extreme fame and wealth.extreme fame and wealth.
Taylor later said sheTaylor later said she
remained madly in loveremained madly in love
with Burton for his entirewith Burton for his entire
life. She said she wouldlife. She said she would
have married him a thirdhave married him a third
time had he not diedtime had he not died
unexpectedly in nineteenunexpectedly in nineteen
eighty-four.eighty-four.
Elizabeth Taylor’s last twoElizabeth Taylor’s last two
marriages also ended inmarriages also ended in
divorce. She was married todivorce. She was married to
Senator John Warner ofSenator John Warner of
Virginia and, later, to aVirginia and, later, to a
builder named Larrybuilder named Larry
FortenskyFortensky..
13. Throughout her life, ElizabethThroughout her life, Elizabeth
Taylor faced many healthTaylor faced many health
problems. She nearly diedproblems. She nearly died
twice of pneumonia. She hadtwice of pneumonia. She had
back, hip, heart and weightback, hip, heart and weight
problems. In the nineteenproblems. In the nineteen
eighties, she battled drug andeighties, she battled drug and
alcohol abuse. She entered aalcohol abuse. She entered a
medical center for treatmentmedical center for treatment
and was very open with theand was very open with the
public about her struggles.public about her struggles.
She spent much of her timeShe spent much of her time
working on her charity andworking on her charity and
business projects. She gavebusiness projects. She gave
her name to several hugelyher name to several hugely
successful perfumes.successful perfumes.
In nineteen eighty-five, sheIn nineteen eighty-five, she
helped create amFAR, thehelped create amFAR, the
American Foundation forAmerican Foundation for
AIDS Research. She did thisAIDS Research. She did this
during a period when manyduring a period when many
people believed those infectedpeople believed those infected
with the disease were immoralwith the disease were immoral
and few recognized its dangerand few recognized its danger
14. Reports say she helped raiseReports say she helped raise
over a hundred millionover a hundred million
dollars for AIDS researchdollars for AIDS research
and patients. In nineteenand patients. In nineteen
ninety-one she started theninety-one she started the
Elizabeth Taylor AIDSElizabeth Taylor AIDS
Foundation. TheFoundation. The
organization helps peopleorganization helps people
around the world who arearound the world who are
living with AIDS.living with AIDS.
Elizabeth Taylor died ofElizabeth Taylor died of
heart failure in twoheart failure in two
thousand eleven at the agethousand eleven at the age
of seventy-nine. AIDSof seventy-nine. AIDS
researcher Mathilde Krimresearcher Mathilde Krim
told USA Today that thetold USA Today that the
actress was always knownactress was always known
for her beauty, success andfor her beauty, success and
jewelry. But she saidjewelry. But she said
Elizabeth Taylor was also aElizabeth Taylor was also a
woman of extremewoman of extreme
intelligence, independence,intelligence, independence,
courage and a deep concerncourage and a deep concern
for others.for others.
