Welcome To My Book Blog

A place to update and discuss facts surrounding the controversial, tragic death of legendary Hollywood film actress, wife and mother, Natalie Wood who drowned mysteriously Nov. 29, 1981 off Catalina Island. Thank you for visiting.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor was a loyal, genuine friend to many.



LIZ AND NATALIE GO WAY BACK!

There's nothing I can say about Elizabeth Taylor that you won't see all over the Internet, see on the TV news, or read in newspapers this week. She is a Hollywood legend for many reasons.


Liz Taylor was a genuine, loyal friend to those she knew. No, ELizabeth was never a Splendour guest, but she was a Wagner family friend and Dennis met her on occasion at the Wagner home, but what he remembers most is how Elizabeth showed up at the Wagner house immediately after Natalie died to console everyone who had gathered to mourn the loss of Natalie. Liz even had a few kind words for Dennis when she saw how distraught he was. She was not there to "move in" on the new widower. She was not there because she was expected to be there. She was there because she was absolutely crushed by Natalie's death, yet she took it upon herself to circulate the room, relentlessly and selflessly, to offer what help and inner strength she could to Natalie's surviving family and friends.

Elizabeth Taylor teamed up with Robert Wagner a few years later to make "There is a Pony" for TV, no doubt, to show the world she stood behind Wagner, the widower constantly in the tabloids. Many years later, Liz, stood by her friend, Michael Jackson, through the lawsuits against him, and through his trials and tribulations. Her loyalty is unquestionable. Elizabeth for decades fought hard for the advancement of AIDS awareness and research because she cares about people worldwide. She is, without a doubt, a caring woman, a true friend, and a humanitarian.

Liz starred in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Paul Newman in 1958, directed by Richard Brooks. Later, Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner starred in the same production with Sir Laurence Olivier. Natalie had always admired Liz in the role of Maggie, Brick's wife, and was artistically challenged to bring a more sexually explicit flair to the role in the made-for-TV production in 1976 when censorship had eased up. BOTH iconic actresses presented a powerful Maggie character and BOTH stole the show!

Sam Kashner, who wrote the March 2000 Vanity Fair article which finally exposed the deeper parts of what really happened the night Natalie Wood died, just last year worked with Liz Taylor and presented his bestseller, "Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century."

Liz was married many times but married Burton twice, just as Natalie married Wagner twice. Both marriages were touted as "The marriage of the Century" by media. Liz's second marriage to Burton ended in divorce while Natalie's second marriage to Wagner ended with her untimely, mysterious death.

Natalie once said, tongue in cheek, that Liz was more broken up over her first divorce to Wagner than Natalie herself was.

We'll never know what Liz really thought about Natalie's mystery death because as a loyal Wagner family friend, she never talked publicly about it. She did stand by Wagner, as a loyal friend would, and she never clarified for us whether she ever had an affair with Wagner, as he hints in his book that they did (after previously saying they have always been nothing more than good friends).

Old Hollywood is quickly fading, but we have the brilliant work of these iconic stars to always remind us of an era that set unmatchable standards. Truly, is there ANYONE we can name today who holds a candle to Liz or Natalie?

I am happy for Liz that she had one thing Natalie was robbed of: a full life. Now she is gone, too, but, like Natalie, never forgotten.

Added note: Three women had the most famous eyes in all of Hollywood, Liz included:
Natalie Wood, of course, with her huge, dark, soul-reaching gorgeous eyes, Betty Davis with her slanted, mysterious, pretty eyes, and Elizabeth Taylor with her unmatchable, beautifully-hued violet colored, caring eyes.
***

50 comments:

  1. Thank you this lovely tribute.

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  2. Yes, Marti, I totally agree that many stars from old Hollywood are unmatchable these days. I really appreciate this tribute because it reminds us that these women were like the rest of us. What we will read in the news seems distant. For some reason, I'm really feeling Liz's death now and that's not a bad thing. I'm glad you captured a moment showing Liz and Natalie. It's a reminder of how intertwined they all were, but in this case, showing two unbelievably gifted actresses. I was wondering what you might say about Elizabeth and I see how it all relates. She was a good woman who had a good life. I hope she rests in peace. I hope she sees Natalie up there in the real City of Angels. Thanks for this special post.

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  3. LOL, not in a sarcastic way. I'm thinking about Liz and Nat. Both would be the first to say, tongue-in-cheek,(as you say Marti) that neither would consider themselves an angel, but that's exactly why we all consider them that very thing. They are angels! These were real women, not only legendary stars, but real women who lived and loved and went through all the ups and downs in life we all experience, and they presented themselves as real people. Many of today's stars don't know how or care to do that. They are egotistical, self-centered, and uncaring for those they consider beneath them.

    The old and decent Hollywood is all but gone now. A few creepy men are left behind. Kirk Douglas sickened me on the Oscar stage a few weeks ago, the way he groped at the women on stage and commented about wanting to bed them. YUCKERS!

    I wonder how Wagner will use this sad passing to shine the spotlight on himself. He'll use it as an opportunity to show he was one of the greats he never was. Oooooooh, I wouldn't doubt that now he had a 3 year affair with Liz. What a low-life liar.

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  4. Liz Taylor was a good friend to Wagner. Whatever he will say about Liz's passing, I would hope would be as genuine and loyal as she was to him.

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  5. Thank you for the lovely tribute and the photo, Marti. Natalie and Liz were, indeed, beautiful, beautiful women, who shared many similarities. I think both were wonderful actresses, including wonderful child actresses.

    For the most part, "Old Hollywood" was the best. They just don't make them like they used to.

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  6. It would be only a handful of people (odd people) who could ever say these two women were unliked or untalented (like Wagner's writer Scott Eyman said of Natalie) Everybody loved these two iconic actresses.

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  7. When I was a child/teenager, we had stars.
    They had incredible beauty, glamour, excitement and true talent.
    Elizabeth Taylor and Natalie Wood are two shining examples of what the word 'Hollywood' ment during that time.
    Now we are primarily left with a group of albeit, some more talented than others (Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman are good examples), but for the most part, a motley crew of reality people and 'the rest'.
    May both Elizabeth and Natalie rest in peace.

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  8. Thanks for this Marti. When I saw the news this morning about Elizabeth Taylor, I began to wonder immediately of the connection between her and Natalie. I popped over here and was instantly gratified with your post and all the comments. Sadly you're right about old Hollywood. It's fading and being replaced with something almost not noteworthy. Yeah, we churn out celebrities by the box load but stars are very few and far between. They really don't make 'em like they used to.

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  9. To me Elizabeth summed up her entire persona when she spoke of the book "Furious Love". Miss Taylor said "I don't care what they say about me. Just be kind to Richard".
    Sadly Robert Wagner never took that page from Elizabeth's book.
    sign me: once again the same old "friends closer..." guy.

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  10. Robert Wagner is a phony bastard! He says what people want to hear at that moment. He will say what a "wonderful" lady she was, maybe concoct a few stories. Years ago, however, Wagner blasted Elizabeth in the press. He got on his high horse and said that he was furious at Elizabeth at Liza Minnelli's wedding to David Gest. It seems that Elizabeth took too long to decide what shoes she wanted to wear and that shoe choosing held things up a bit. Wagner was nice enough to share that with the press. No one else mentioned it, except Wagner. Think of that when you read his words of sympathy. He's a phony!

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  11. There is a great clip on youtube of the singer *Sam Harris discussing that wedding. Leave it to Wagner to get all uppity. He should have gone to her hotel and helped her pick out the showes, or polish them or lick them clean for her. What an ungrateful slob he is.

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  12. If Ms. Taylor had come to my home immediately after my spouse died and tried to give everyone strength, I would remember that for the rest of my life. She would have my undying loyalty. That should be Wagner's first thought, not his narcisstic annoyance at how she inconvenienced HIM at a stupid wedding. Does this man have the capability to care for anyone? If he cared for Larry it's only because dogs are subservient and love you unconditionally. For Larry, Wagner was the center of the universe, thus Wagner's attachment to Larry. Schmuck.

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  13. Heartbreaking news. That picture is adorable.


    But does every post on here need to mention that d-bag Robert Wagner?

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  14. It's innapropriate to bash anyone in a tribute post about Elizabeth Taylor. I can let go of my disdain for others during a memorial. Can't you?

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  15. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  16. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  17. "This is just another example of how unfair life is"
    We don't need any more examples of that. What's sad is that we can't say goodbye to Elizabeth Taylor without it turning sordid and obscene.
    Maybe I'm wrong and this just isn't a place for me.

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  18. Yeah right. You are here everydfay and now this isn't the place for you. You post at the same time everyday.

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  19. LOL @ the post above this one. WTF do you think I am? LMAO

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  20. It's Marti's blog, if she is not happy with the posts in reference to Wagner she will delete them.

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  21. 4:59
    I dont know or care WTF you are so LMAO all you want but what I do know is you post here everyday whether you deny it or not.

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  22. Your petty bickering,[Anon 9:36] is why this blog is falling apart. after a few posts and you start insulting everyone. I wish you would stop, it's not needed or wanted here.

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  23. This blog is about Natalie, so when reference is made about others (in this case Liz Taylor) of course Nat and RJ will be brought up. Marti apparently made her post referring to Liz's connection to Natalie because that's her subject area. What's wrong with reminding people that Wagner lied about Liz or that he cares about his late dog more than people? That's what he portrayed in HIS book!

    Marti made her point, Liz and Nat were good people. There aren't many like them from old Hollywood left.

    I heard of three different names connected to the rape of Natalie as a teen, KD was one, so I don't know because unlike Marti, Finstadt teased and filled her book with innuendo. I have no doubt KD took advantage to some degree, but if it was rape, why did Nat socialize with him afterward? I think it's a rumor best left to Suzanne Finstadt's supposition.

    Today Marti tried to honor Liz, spun into Natalie for the matching blog theme. May Nat and Liz RIP. Enough said on my part.

    Thank you for this thoughtful post about Liz, last of true legends as the news is saying all night long.

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  24. My Father was a NYC detective. In 1964 he was assigned to guard Liz and Burton while Burton played in "Hamlet" every night (Liz would wait backstage during every performance). She and Burton were such a hot couple at the time, and mobs would form whenever they were out in public.
    After Burton's run, Liz had a closing night party at the Rainbow Room and she invited my Dad.
    There is a black and white, 8x10 photo of Liz sitting at a round dinner table at the Rainbow Room, and looking every inch the Hollywood star. Every man in that room was gathered around her so he could be in the picture (including my Father).
    My Dad, who was not impressed with celebrity, liked Elizabeth Taylor very much--he never would have gone if he didn't.

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  25. Thanks for sharing that, Kevin.

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  26. If my memory is correct, I believe my Dad told me that there were death threats made against Ms Taylor and Mr Burton, and that is why they had men guarding the two throughout the run of the play. It was more than just crowd control.

    Ms Taylor was one of the few he genuinely liked and admired.

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  27. Was your father with us when Natalie died? If so, what were his feelings about the investigation? If not, how do you feel he would have handled it?

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  28. Elizabeth will be buried at Westwood Memorial Park with her parents.

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  29. The only thing my Father told me was that the spouse is always the number one suspect until he/she is ruled out.
    He had a very suspicious nature (I guess from the type of work he did) so I feel he would have
    scrutinized Wagner.
    Also, he was wary of a lot of celebrities, and he never liked the "special treatment" they expected.

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  30. Which is what Rasure should have done, scrutinized Wagner. He barely questioned him.

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  31. Sorry, need to make a few deletions: Finstad never named anyone in Natalie's rape: my opinion is she should have left the entire subject alone if she was not going to substantiate a claim. Thus, I do not want this blog to be where we name who Suzanne would not. Thanks for understanding.

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  32. Once again you amaze me Marti! You step right up to the plate and address the issue. I couldn't agree with you more on this issue.

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  33. Marti (or anyone): do you know where this pic of Liz and Nat was taken, or for what promotional means? Thank you, asking out of curiosity.

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  34. Kirk Douglas was 22 years older than Natalie.


    Wagner released a statement today and the article refers to him as a "Hollywood legend" and says he "dated" ET. With all the lies he's told this shouldn't come as a surprise so let's not beat a dead horse by bashing him for this claim (again).

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  35. He's a second rate Hollywood celebrity who is old, that makes him a legend. What has he ever done that would make him legendary aside from his connection to Natalie?
    No one is surprised that he used Miss Taylor's death to pump himself up. That's Robert Wagner.

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  36. "Released a statement" I doubt it because who cares what he has to say.
    Actually this is another example of how Wagner contradicts himself. When he and Elizabeth made There Must Be A Pony, he said they were never romantically involved but in his fable memoir he said they were romantically involved. He dissed her a bit, he said that she was very much into herself which would make her the wrong type for him as HE is totally into HIMSELF and requires a woman who is willing to sacrifice anything and everything to make HIM happy.
    "legendary" LMAO

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  37. If he did say that he was romantically involved with her in a newly released statement, it shows how utterly classless he is. She was a truly legendary woman who defined Hollywood at it's best and all Wagner has to say at this time is that he "dated" her? That certainly says a lot about him, doesn't it folks?

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  38. Why do you people fall for what this troll posts on this blog? Robert Wagner said "Elizabeth was a dear and loyal friend. I shall miss her." That was his statement. Once again this troll is trying to stir the pot. This is why Wagner's fans want nothing to do with this troll.

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  39. He also spoke of the TV movie they made together.
    There was nothing about them dating. What a stupid comment!
    Wagner also said that he is in good health and that he plans to write another book. LOL

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  40. I'm sorry, folks but I have to say this. ROBERT WAGNER IS A PIECE OF SHIT!
    In his statement he babbled on about how difficult the past few years have been for Elizabeth. What did he do to help his life long friend in her difficult time? He told the world that he had an affair with her, that being in a relationship with her was like sticking an egg beater in your brain. That's how he re-pays his loyal friends when they are going through hard times? He's a real prince!

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  41. Did anyone hear the report about her funeral? Elizabeth was notorious for always being late. Turns out, she requested that her body show up to her funeral 15 minutes late. Funny lady, she will be missed.

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  42. She had a small service with family and her closest friends. That was classy. It was not a big Hollywood spectacle. She probably made that request.

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  43. I am reading the official article he gave with cyinterview.com which says "Wagner grew up with Taylor and dated her for a period of time."

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  44. Wagner did not say it, the author of the article said it in his intro to what Wagner said. That was NOT in Wagner's statement. It could not be more clear that Wagner DID NOT mention that he dated her in his statement about her death.

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  45. Elizabeth was a fan of fleshly desires and God knows there is nothing at all wrong with that. Chances are good that she bedded many Hollywood men. Many Hollywood gals do that. That's not news or even newsworthy. I can see no relevance to her passing and her alleged dalliances with Wagner. Who cares? Seriously.

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  46. It's not a big deal if it is true but in his book Wagner told some bold faced, outright lies. If he lied about it, it is a big deal. Given his history, it probably is a lie. Elizabeth Taylor was not a woman who went for the pretty boy type nor was she a woman who whom it was possible to have a secret affair especially if the man was well known in the Hollywood community.

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  47. I found it interesting that both Natalie and Liz said that working with intense method actors in two iconic films (Natalie with James Dean in "Rebel Without A Cause" and Liz with Montgomery Clift in "A Place In The Sun"), made them want to really act and take their job more seriously. Not that both ladies didn't have talent and didn't give wonderful performances before that, but the influence that Jimmy and Monty had over them was very strong. Both actors left this world far too soon and I've often thought that Natalie would have a had a strong a friendship with Jimmy as Liz had with Monty. Sad that Liz is now gone, she was one of the last great movie stars.

    As for Wagner, there is not much I can really add to what has already been said.

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  48. Wagner used to ridicule method actors and in all fairness most of the crowd with which he socialized did the same.

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