I shed a tear yesterday for the passing of Elizabeth Taylor.
Hollywood royalty, child star, Oscar winning actress, ravishing beauty, style icon, and great humanitarian, Elizabeth Taylor was just as famous off camera as she was on. The public couldn't get enough of her joy, tragedy, illnesses, and eight marriages. In her later years she was a selfless and tireless AIDS activist raising awareness and millions of dollars for the disease after the death of her close friend Rock Hudson. We will truly miss her and the era of great Hollywood stars has truly ended with her death.
Here is a clip from one of her memorable films, The Last Time I Saw Paris, made in 1954 also starring Van Johnson, Donna Reed, Walter Pidgeon, and Eva Gabor. Based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, it's about an ex-pat couple living the Paris high life in the late 1940s after WWII and has a tragic ending. Elizabeth Taylor looks breathtakingly beautiful in the film and her performance as a reckless free spirit is quite good. The haunting title song The Last Time I Saw Paris is by Jerome Kern with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.
In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!
Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
You've made me want to drop everything and watch a Liz film -- she was amazing.
Posted by: FranceTravels | March 24, 2011 at 02:20 PM
Wonderful post and video clip of Ms. Taylor. Just simply a great person, actress, and wonderful beauty.
Posted by: Bluegreen Kirk | March 24, 2011 at 04:10 PM
Lovely post with lovely Elizabeth, many thanks. I'll have to rewatch this one.
Posted by: Jean(ne) P in MN | March 24, 2011 at 06:37 PM
Thank you for this beautiful ''hommage'' to the purple eye Lady ... I also shed a few tears when I watched the late news where they showed us many beautiful pictures from her busy life (so many husbands !!!) ... and WHAT A LIFE !
Posted by: Danny | March 24, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Great photo of Dame Elizabeth Taylor!
Posted by: Linda | March 24, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Your blog and your tribute was really wewll done. I'm getting the movie from Blockbuster, can't wait to see it. Thanks!!!
Posted by: Barbara | March 25, 2011 at 09:20 AM
i let out a gasp. we all knew her end was coming but nothing prepares you for The End. nice piece Richard. i agree with and share your thoughts on all that she meant. there will never be another her, never be a time like the 50's & 60's when she was part of defining 'movie star'. in a way, i feel like a sliver of my childhood slips away with her. she was a reference point for days long ago.
Posted by: Kathleen | March 25, 2011 at 09:21 AM
I love this movie and see it every time its on TMC (in the U.S.). Van Johnson was a very credible and good actor. I always cry when E. Taylor dies in this movie and also cry when Van gets her daughter back. He was estranged from his only child, a daughter, when he died a few years ago. Very tragic.
Posted by: Sharon | March 25, 2011 at 10:39 AM
As always, Richard, nicely done. Nicely done
Posted by: dan | March 28, 2011 at 02:16 PM