"She [Marilyn] seemed to have a kind of unconscious glow about her physical self that was innocent, like a child." Elizabeth once said. Both women were at the height of their fame in the Sixties and there are only a few photographs of them together that exist (dating from 1961 at the Sands Hotel, at a Frank Sinatra concert). 

 
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National Velvet (1944)
Of all Elizabeth's early films this is the one that you will never forget. Elizabeth plays Velvet Brown, a young girl who wins a gelding in a raffle and trains him for the Grand National, aided by Mickey Rooney as Mi Taylor, a hired hand. (Interestingly, eighteen-year-old Gene Tierney was offered the role of Velvet in 1939 but as production was delayed she returned to Broadway) The film is wonderful - not only do you get to see a fresh-faced preteen Elizabeth but you see her ride the actual horse, which is refreshing considering most actors use stuntmen. The film is timeless and it is definitely worth watching whether you're an adult or a child. Still not convinced? The film received mostly positive reviews (check them out on 'Rotten Tomatoes') and won two Oscars in 1945 and was nominated for three. National Velvet made Elizabeth a film star - and for good reason!

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A Place In The Sun (1951)
A Place In The Sun is a chilling film noir that tells the story of George Eastman (played by Montgomery Clift), who, upon arriving in town, finds himself involved in a love triangle with factory worker Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters) and beautiful socialite Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor). As George gets to know Angela, he becomes more attracted to her and starts to reject Alice with dire consequences. Elizabeth was around eighteen during filming and this was one of her first adult roles. Elizabeth delivers one of her best performances (arguably) in this film, with beautiful chemistry between her and Montgomery. She would later star alongside him in Raintree County and Suddenly Last Summer . In conclusion, A Place In The Sun is a memorable film - and if you haven't watched it already, make sure you do. 

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Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Elizabeth stars alongside Paul Newman in this 1958 film adaptation of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof . This is definitely one of her best performances in her lifetime - like in Virginia Woolf her acting - and role - is unforgettable.  Burl Ives, Judith Anderson and Madeleine Sherwood also contribute greatly to Cat. Beautiful Maggie shrieks 'Maggie the cat is alive! I'm alive!' in a fiery scene with Brick. Elizabeth immortalised the role of Maggie (and should've received an Oscar for it instead for Gloria in Butterfield 8) . Interestingly, fellow Hollywood star Natalie Wood would also play this role in a 1976 TV film.  Yet there is only one Maggie - and Elizabeth Taylor played her. 

 
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Clark Gable (playing Rhett Butler) and Vivien Leigh (playing Scarlett O'Hara) in 'Gone With The Wind'.
When most people think of Gone With The Wind, they do not normally associate Elizabeth Taylor with the film. However, she was considered for the role of Bonnie Blue Butler - Rhett and Scarlett's daughter . Friends, even a talent scout, tried to coax Sara (Elizabeth's mother) into letting young Elizabeth audition for the role. However Sara refused, and the role went to Cammie King. By the way, Elizabeth loved Vivien. She even once said "Vivien Leigh was my heroine. She was innocence on the verge of decadence, always there to be saved." Elizabeth would later replaced Vivien in Elephant Walk (1954) after Vivien had a nervous collapse on set (she suffered from bipolar disorder). It is likely that they met, at the premiere of Around The World In Eighty Days in 1957, and in 1960. Elizabeth starred in a film called The V.I.P.S. in 1963 - it was based on the story of Vivien running off with Peter Finch and getting stuck at the airport because of heavy fog.

For more info on Vivien, visit:
www.vleigh.com (also on Facebook: Vivien Leigh/Movie Icons)
www.vivandlarry.com (also on Facebook: Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier)
www.vivien-leigh.com (also on Facebook: facebook.com/vivienleighcom)
www.vivienleighlegend.blogspot.com (also on Facebook: facebook.com/VivienAndLarry)
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Elizabeth - the perfect candidate for Bonnie. Note that she was only aged two when this photo was taken.