[Laska]

www.sheilaomalley.com/archives/008870.html
Montgomery Clift called Elizabeth Taylor (his best friend, his soulmate) "Bessie Mae":

You know how it is when you love somebody terribly but you can't describe why? That's how I love Bessie Mae.

Excerpt from Patricia Bosworth's Montgomery Clift:
Kevin McCarthy on the tragic car accident that ruined Clift's face and almost killed him. They had all been at a party at Liz Taylor's, up on a hill. Then it was time to go. Kevin got in his car, Monty got in his car - behind Kevin's - and they took off down the drive.

Suddenly I looked in my rearview mirror and I saw that Monty's car was coming much too close to my car. I got the idea he was going to play one of his practical jokes - he was going to give my car a little nudge. He never did bump my car, but I had the feeling he might, so I put my foot on the gas and went a little faster. Monty's car seemed to be almost on top of me. I wondered if he was having a blackout. I got frightened and spurted ahead so he wouldn't bump me. We both made the first turn but the next one was treacherous. We were careening now, swerving, and screeching through the darkness. Behind me I saw Monty's carlights weave from one side of the road to the other and then I heard a terrible crash. A cloud of dust appeared in my rearview mirror. I stopped and ran back. Monty's car was crumpled like an accordion against a telephone pole. The motor was running like hell. I could smell gas. I managed to reach in the window and turn off the ignition, but it was so dark I couldn't see inside the car. I didn't know where Monty was. He seemed to have disappeared.
I ran and drove my car back and shone the headlights into Monty's car. Then I saw him curled under the dahsboard. He'd been pushed there by the force of the crash. His face was torn away - a bloody pulp. I thought he was dead.
I drove back to Elizabeth's shaking like a leaf and pounded on the door. "There's been a terrible accident!" I yelled, "I don't know whether Monty's dead or alive - get an ambulance quick!" Mike Wilding and I both tried to keep Elizabeth from coming down to the car with us but she fought us off like a tiger. "No! No! I'm going to Monty!" she screamed, and she raced down the hill.
She was like Mother Courage. Monty's car was so crushed you couldn't open the front door, so Liz got through the back door and crawled over the seat. Then she crouched down and cradled Monty's head in her lap. He gave a little moan. Then he started to choke. He pantomimed weakly to his neck. Some of his teeth had been knocked out and his two front teeth were lodged in his throat. I'll never forget what Liz did. She stuck her fingers down his throat and she pulled those teeth. Otherwise he would have choked to death.

[Laska]

www.sheilaomalley.com/archives/008870.html (this is a really great tribute to monty with lots of quotes from those who knew him)

[keroppi]

Thanks so much nel and Laska

About the accident, it was really tragic and really changed his already vulnerable life. I've read that people think if he had died, he would've been immortalized like James Dean. I haven't seen his movies after the accident, although I really want to see The Misfits.

[nel16]

^ The Misfits is actually what introduced me to Monty Even though it was post-accident I was immediately hooked and pulled in by that tortured, often sweet vulnerability he projected.

And I loved his scenes with Marilyn Monroe, who he really bonded with off-screen. From what I know MM was not happy making that film but whenever you see pictures of her with him on-set she looked so happy. Marilyn told him he was "the only person I've met who's more screwed up than me."

On the set:





Source: Corbis and Magnum Photos

[Laska]

nel16.....those pictures are great! Thank you so much for posting them :flower

[keroppi]

Two of my favourite actors ever; Brando and Monty

etiquestas.estikedo.com






viewimages


jordanbayne.com

[nel16]

^ Oh, those are wonderful pictures! (Love the one with him and all the women, heh heh. ^^) I'm sad this thread keeps getting buried, Monty was one of the greatest actors ever, imo.

Anyhoo, I made 300 () screencaps of A Place in the Sun here.

Teasers:






Monty is utterly beautiful in the movie, not to mention he's just an absolute phenomenon in this role. One of the best performances I've ever seen.

[fairyx]

just some random info...

Joe Strummer, singer of The Clash, borrowed a book about Clift from a friend, and was inspired to write a song about him.
It´s called The Right Profile
And here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wDqwm-Yhmo

and the lyrics:

hey- where have I seen this guy?
in Red River?
or A Place in the Sun?
maybe The Misfits?
or From Here To Eternity?

and everybody says "is he alright?"
and everybody says "What's he like?"
and everybody says "sure looks funny"
that's Montgomery Clift, honey

New York, New York, 42nd Street
hustlers rustle and pimps pimp the beat
Monty Clift is recognized at dawn
he ain't got no shoes and his clothes are torn

and everybody says "is he alright?"
and everybody says "What's he like?"
and everybody says "sure looks funny"
that's Montgomery Clift, honey

I see a car smashed at night
cut the applause and dim the lights
Monty's face is broken on a wheel
is he alive? Can he still feel?

and everybody says "is he alright?"
and everybody says "What's he like?"
and everybody says "sure looks funny"
that's Montgomery Clift, honey

(solo)

and everybody says "is he alright?"
and everybody says "What's he like?"
and everybody says "sure looks funny"
that's Montgomery Clift, honey

Nembutol
numbs it all
but I prefer
alcohol...

(sax solo)

and everybody says "is he alright?"
and everybody says "What's he like?"
and everybody says "sure looks funny"
that's Montgomery Clift, honey

He said "go out and get me my old movie stills
Go out and get me another roll of bills
There I go again shaking but I ain't got the chills
ARRRGHHHGORRA BUH BHUH DO ARRRRGGGGHHHHNNNN!!!!..."

[nel16]

^ Very interesting, I had no idea there was a song written all about him - the man is so overlooked most of the time, usually Brando or Dean inspire the songs.


tsutpen.blogspot.com

[keroppi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nel16 Anyhoo, I made 300 () screencaps of A Place in the Sun here.

OMG those are gorgeous screencaps! Thanks so much, I really appreciate you effort!

[nmyngan]

he's very beautiful, so sad about his accident
i love the pic in the post #16 so much, Liz looks like she wants to protect him for whole his life, i love their pic together, so sweet. Thanks people for all the pics and information.

[nel16]

Quote:

Originally Posted by keroppi OMG those are gorgeous screencaps! Thanks so much, I really appreciate you effort!

Aww you're welcome, so glad you like them! It seriously was a pleasure - Monty and Elizabeth together in such a beautiful, poignant film - it haunts me for days every time I see it! And talk about the most beautiful cinematography, with those creamy close-ups and dissolving scene transitions... guh.

Anyhoo, Little Monty

Simply Classics forum

[Laska]

^Great pic! Thanks so much for posting

I love "Place in the Sun" too. He looks so gorgeous in it.

[nel16]

A nice big one of Mr. Beautiful



Simply Classics

[alicia753]