Elizabeth Taylor has been on the move...
This past week, the magnetic superstar - dripping in clusters of exquisite diamonds - appeared at Geary's in Beverly Hills to promote her new line of jewellery.
The celebrated megastar wowed 'em!
Next week, she'll cause quite a stir when the creme de la creme of Hollywood's power-elite, elbow their way to the best seats in the house at a special one night stage performance of "Love Letters".
The event takes place on World AIDS Day, December 1st, and is expected to raise funds in excess of one million dollars for AIDS Research.
Hard-boiled WGA strikers picketing Paramount in recent days over contract issues, have agreed to graciously bow to the star turn, allowing LA LIZ, co-star James Earl Jones, and guests to attend the evening's celebration without any pesky picket lines to cross.
Elizabeth last appeared on stage in "Private Lives" with Richard Burton amid sold-out houses and a lot of frenzied fanfare.
In a prior stage production, Little Foxes, Ms. Taylor was nominated for a Tony.
I have a fond memory (and souvenir) from those heady days.
The year she was nominated for a Tony Award, she appeared at the celebrations in New York City, only to lose to another nominee.
Shortly after missing out on the treasured Golden Statuette, Taylor appeared on stage to make a presentation. In a jittery moment, her nerves got the best of her, and she flubbed a line. Non-plussed - but quite flustered, none-the-less - she giggled nervously, then carried on.
Ah, it was one of those precious show-biz moments that touches you.
Later, she tossed a tongue-in-cheek party for the losers at Sardi's.
On a whim, I decided to drop Ms. Taylor a line to relay how much I enjoyed her appearance on the Tony Award Broadcast. In a quick note sprinkled with glowing praises, I underscored that she was the "winner", in my estimation.
Because her mailing address was unknown to me, I was left to zip it off to Washington, D.C, in care of her politician husband at the time, John Warner. Then, forgot about it.
A few weeks later, I spied a letter in my mailbox, franked in Manhattan.
Imagine my surprise when I opened up the envelope and found myself reading a note from Ms. Taylor on her personal stationary, thanking me for my card!
I trust you'll agree that anyone who takes a break from their busy schedule and high-profile personal life to post a note of thanks to a stranger, is a very special, thoughtful person, indeed.
Curiously, I vividly recall the first time I ever laid eyes on Elizabeth.
When I was a mere lad, my grandmother grabbed my hand one day, and spirited me off to the movie house to take in a screening of the romantic drama, the VIP's.
The tawdry tale was about a glamorous socialite about to leave her businessman husband (Richard Burton) for a gigolo (Louis Jourdan). Unfortunately, as she plans her exit from the marriage at a rendezvous point at the Airport, a fog drifts in and grounds her get-away plane - at which point - her husband gallantly tries to win back her affections.
On the heels of the credits, Elizabeth suddenly appeared on screen - a stunning beauty nestled in the back of an elegant Rolls Royce - wrapped in a luxurious designer topcoat.
And, her exquisite porcelain face was framed in a chic, black fur hat.
When she alighted from the chauffeured vehicle, she floated along in a swirl of magic stardust, I swear!
Through the mystical power of celluloid, and by virtue of Ms. Taylor's flawless, remarkable beauty, the images have been indelibly etched on my mind ever since.
Needless to say, I'm still spellbound...and, Ms. Taylor's Numero Uno fan, to this day.
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