National Velvet

National Velvet

MGM

January 26, 1945

Historical Drama, Sports Drama

DVD
B+

I saw this movie decades ago, maybe when I was a teenager and it was already long a classic.  I enjoyed it, even though I was never a "horse girl."  But this isn't just a "horse movie."  It holds up remarkably well over seventy-five years after it was made because its characters are vivid and lovable, flaws and all.  Liz Taylor is luminous and Rooney has possibly his best role ever.  Anne Revere deservedly won an Oscar for her role as the mother, a character that could be described as feminist, as well as wise, warm, and witty. And the supporting roles are solid, including a young Angela Lansbury as the oldest daughter.  Just a delight overall.

This is based on the Enid Bagnold novel and directed by Clarence Brown.

Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe 

MGM

13 June 1952

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

A bit dull.  Of course based on the Scott novel, and directed by Richard Thorpe.

The Last Time I Saw Paris

The Last Time I Saw Paris

MGM

November 18, 1954

Romance, Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Kind of dull love story between Johnson and Taylor, just after World War II (and thus a historical drama even nine years later).  This is based on the Fitzgerald short story "Babylon Revisited," and directed by Richard Brooks, who co-wrote and would direct Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof four years later.

Father of the Bride (1950)

Father of the Bride (1950)
MGM
June 16, 1950
Comedy
DVD
C

I gave this half an hour, since I liked some of it early on, like the parade of Liz's ex-boyfriends, but the upper-middle-class blandness got to be too much.  This is based on the Edward Streeter novel and directed by Vincente Minnelli.

The Sandpiper

The Sandpiper
MGM
June 23, 1965
Drama
DVD
C-

Well, at least this time there's lovely Big Sur scenery as a distraction from the overwrought acting.  Vincente Minnelli directed.

BUtterfield 8

BUtterfield 8
MGM
November 4, 1960
Drama
DVD
D+

A call girl's morning routine, directed by Daniel Mann and based on the John O'Hara novel.  And, yes, Taylor's then husband Fisher plays her "platonic" friend.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
MGM
August 29, 1958
Drama
DVD
D

The first quarter hour consists mostly of Taylor complaining to alcoholic husband Newman.  Richard Brooks directed and co-wrote the adaptation of the Williams play.

(This is on a four-pack of Elizabeth Taylor movies, but I'm again skipping Father of the Bride until we're actually in the F's.)

The Driver's Seat AKA Identikit

The Driver's Seat AKA Identikit
AVCO Embassy
20 May 1974
Drama
DVD
D-

Shrill, poorly shot vehicle for Liz, directed by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi, who adapted the Muriel Spark novella.