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John Gascot

John Gascot

Posted: March 23, 2011 06:21 PM

Celebrating Liz


Unlike so many, I did not grow up watching Elizabeth Taylor films. It was not until high school, when I became active in theater, that I first watched Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? It, of course, left an undying impression on me and remains, to this very day, one of my favorite films ever. Shortly after that I began to familiarize myself and fall in love with her impressive body of work.

There has always been a soft spot in my heart for Ms. Taylor. Her great acting and persona aside (not to mention her generous dedication to the fight against HIV/AIDS), she has always reminded me of my mother (or the other way around). Not to say that my mother was a dead ringer for Liz, but she was that "type" of beauty. People often told her so and this comparison endeared me to the movie star.

As a dear friend of mine mentioned this morning, she was one of the last true movie stars. They simply don't make them like Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor anymore. She perfectly balanced talent, glamor, sex appeal, kindness, compassion and yes, even scandal. She was gutsy and flawed; as intriguing off as she was on screen. Young Hollywood could take a lesson or two, perhaps an entire course, from her.

Today, Ms. Taylor, I do not mourn you.

I celebrate you!

Rest in peace, you beautiful goddess.

US Taylor Obit
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FILE - Actress Elizabeth Taylor poses as Queen Cleopatra in this photo from Joseph L. Mankiewiez' 1963 film, Cleopatra. Elizabeth Taylor, the violet-eyed film goddess whose sultry screen persona, stormy personal life and enduring fame and glamour made her one of the last of the old-fashioned movie stars and a template for the modern celebrity, died Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at age 79. (AP Photo/File)
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
omobob
left coast, usa
01:42 PM on 04/09/2011
A terrible and short collection of photos. Some are screen lifts. Pardon me, but when Liz walks out of the water in that white one piece bathing suit, the film explodes. ("Suddenly Last Summer" with Kate and Monty.) There are many more and better pics of the fabulous Liz Taylor.
07:10 PM on 03/24/2011
What a beautiful tribute.
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LMPE
I connect the most dissimilar things
09:04 PM on 03/23/2011
It sounds as if the movies of hers that I should watch are (in no particular order):

A Place in the Sun
Giant
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Butterfield 8
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Does that sound accurate?
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
John Gascot
12:17 AM on 03/24/2011
I could watch that bunch in any given order and love them all the same. :-)
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
omobob
left coast, usa
01:39 PM on 04/09/2011
Liz hated Butterfield 8, if that helps. Personally it doesn’t get any better than Martha in "Whose afraid of Virginia Woolf". ( for which she won her second oscar).