‘Queen’ Liz’s passing marks end of an era

ELIZABETH TAYLOR hasn’t made a movie in years, but it’s a tribute to her regal stardom and talent that when she passed away at age 79 last March 23, many people still regard her as the authentic Queen of Hollywood.

Younger film buffs may not have the foggiest why that is, but people on the “other” side of 60 will patiently but passionately explain to them that the entertainment world’s own Queen Elizabeth has earned her regal right to being appreciated, loved and remembered long after her passing as the last authentic star of the movie world.

That unique distinction is due to her most unusual combination of great looks, talent, charisma, age, endurance, indomitability, survival instinct, passionate love for life (and men), humanitarian advocacies, great and giving friendships (with Rock Hudson and Michael Jackson) – etc.

Which is not to say that everything about Queen Liz was absolutely admirable. For some years there, she was vilified as the silver screen’s most despicable husband-grabber, having stolen poor, little Debbie Reynolds’ humming hubby, Eddie Fisher, from right under her cute button nose.

Hubby-hooking

Yes, Angelina, Liz beat you to the punch by several decades, so stop acting like you invented hubby-hooking.

In addition, some people rap her for hooking too many hubbies, with her eight marriages (to the celebrated likes of Richard Burton, Mike Todd, Michael Wielding, Sen. John Turner, etc.), setting a sort of record in Hollywood for female stars.

And Liz has also been criticized for winning undeserved acting plaudits, like her first Oscar for “Butterfield 8,” which was given to her after she had undergone an emergency tracheotomy.

In addition, she set another record for stellar fees when she was paid a cool million bucks for starring in “Cleopatra,” but the screen epic didn’t add to her acting reputation because she was miscast in the role (she spoke her lines in a thin voice and with an American accent).

Masterful portrayals

Despite these momentary glitches, however, her career weathered any and all storms, because she did come up with masterful portrayals in movies like, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (where she more deservedly won her second Oscar), “Reflections in a Golden Eye,” “Giant,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “Taming of the Shrew.”

Her private life was similarly inspirational, because she lived it to the fullest, despite many illnesses that threatened to abridge her luminous existence. But, she didn’t let them stand in her way as she lived and loved “with great passion and humor,” as a friend eulogized her.

That antic view of life enabled her to continue “shocking” her otherwise adoring public with her unexpected actuations, like her “mad” decision to marry her seventh husband Larry Fortensky, dismissed by many as “a construction worker.”

But, when all is said and done, it’s Queen Liz’s great beauty and even greater heart that have made her such a shining presence and stellar icon in many people’s lives, for, lo, almost fourscore years.

The beauty, she was born with, but the magnificent heart that cared so much for the world’s disadvantaged was entirely of her own loving creation.

That’s why Elizabeth Taylor continues to reign as the Once and Future Queen of Hollywood.