marksmith46 Just realized, after what you said, that every drag queen I ever saw "imitating" Bette, was actually imitating Liz imitating Bette. The actual "what a dump." line from Bette in on youtube. I checked it out. You were so right, Mark.
Jeff Blythe Yup. I found out because I looked up the original 'what a dump' clip on RU-vid, just to see what Bette Davis movie it is from, and gee what a disappointment. It's just a throwing-it-out-there kind of line in the original. Liz Taylor - who is almost a drag queen - put that line on steroids lol
"I am the Earth Mother, and you're all a bunch of flops!" Liz, and all the rest in this movie, were freaking genius! This film has always rocked me to the core. Night of the Iguana, as well.
It takes Elizabeth Taylor just three minutes to completely draw you in, set up both characters and steel you for one of the most amazing films ever made.
You are so right! This film is amazing! The screen adaptation is amazing! Edward Albee is a genius! I used to have this entire movie memorized from beginning to end. My favorite film of all time.
+marksmith46 Hahahaha yes, and people often cite Elizabeth Taylor as being ugly in this movie, but I don't think her appearance is THAT hideous, she just DOES gross things like having chicken skin sticking out two inches from her mouth while chatting away and putting an old bone back in the fridge that's already been open for 5 minutes and nobody cared to close it. Lol. The whole thing is just fascinating.
This is the opening scene, and Liz gets you instantly hooked and draws you in; you know you're about to see a memorable film. Love the way Martha hijacks George's cigarette!
Elizabeth Taylor was a top notch actress but unfortunately the media focused on her personal life and still does. She was brilliant in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as well.
Suddenly Last Summer, Taming of the Shrew, the Giant, heck even Butterfield8 (her acting, not movie). She was incredible. Too bad the focus was/is always on what happened behind the scenes
You said it! Her life off-screen was the subject of more spilled ink in the gossip columns than was ever spent on the fact that she was a brilliant actress. I think she really does belong up there with Bette Davis, Joan Crawford and Meryl Streep. She is stunning as an actress here. And so is Burton -- just look at his face as the two of them walk into the house -- that "oh God, ANOTHER evening with this harridan" look -- he conveys everything there.
I absolutely love this scene because of the way Martha despondently says at the end of her speech 'she's discontent', as an indication of what's going to happen later in the play. This is one of my favourite plays, so absolutely funny and clever and utterly tragic.
Elizabeth's version of the classic Bette Davis line is brilliantly hilarious especially when you look at the original and there's basically no resemblance at all.
When you're middle class and your finances and insurance are all tied up together, many choose to resign themselves to the bottle. Its disturbing that many of these people also raise children
I love how she makes fun of Richard Burton for not knowing the name of the movie when she can't even figure it out herself! This is my favorite scene of the film.
A MASTER! Elizabeth Taylor showing the world how it's done! THIS is why some actors are considered artists and some simply aren't. Even in this role as this "ugly" lady, she remains soooooo pretty!
If they had Google back then this wonderful dialogue would've never been written. George just would've said something to the effect of, "Dammit, Martha! Pull out your IPhone and google it, for God's sake." How sad would that have been?
Also, if the film were made now, they would just grab an Uber instead of driving drunk. And if the film were made a few years from now, the car would be self-driving. And if the if the film were made even further in the future, it would be a flying car. And if the film were made in the distant future, they would use Transporters to “beam” themselves back and fourth to different locations - then imagine what a sad, sad film this would be 😢🙄😝
I really like that in this scene, this is a movie in which the fictional characters are discussing another, real movie. So Liz is an actress playing a part in which she's discussing another actress playing a part. And in real life she was as much of a Hollywood icon as Bette Davis, who she's imitating and talking about as though she herself was NOT an icon.And she's in a movie but she's pretending she's not in a movie, talking about another actual movie. OK, it gets complicated, but I still like it.
I remembered being riveted by this film when In first saw it in my teens...a psychological horror film without intending to be. It snuck up on me.... My appreciation for Taylor's acting chops increased substantially...and Burton couldn't have been better.
@@trawlins396 From the biography I've read apparently Richard Burton was a big time Communist to the point where he wasn't afraid who in Hollywood or America knew. He and Elizabeth Taylor both together even went to meet communist leader Tito in Yugoslavia and Burton later portrayed him in a movie. Burton was convinced that Hollywood was regularly afraid to give him respect in regards to acting because of his political beliefs.
@@trawlins396 About as intense as you'll ever see at the theater! I was also amazed that Burton did not win. Just demonstrated to me how "fixed" the Oscars really are.
I first saw the film when I was 12. Didn't have a clue as to what it was all about. Thought it was "funny" because it had dirty language in it, and I remember the "dancing" scene with Taylor's boobs bouncing about. When I saw it at 18, I was an emotional wreck afterwards. I had never seen acting like that. All four of them should have won an Oscar!
An example of history being rewritten. The original line delivered by Bette Davis in Beyond the Forest, was subtle, had no cigarette, was not said like 'Bette Davis'. This movie delivered it like a parody and ever since Bette Davis was parodied like this. I don't think she minded it, Bette Davis and Elizabeth Taylor were friends later in her life.
Just read the recently released biography of Mike Nichols, who directed the picture. He was VERY complimentary of Taylor as an actress and a person...total pro who could take direction on hitting a number of marks in a scene, difficult dialogue transitions and do it flawlessly in one take. She and Burton were definitely "stars"... never arriving to shoot until after noon, but immensely satisfying to work with them.
I used to get stoned on Mary J and painkillers and watch my DVD of this *all* the time. I fucking *love* Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf ? It's so acidic and dysfunctional.
Thank God the Hayes code was on it's deathbed at this point. Finally, writers could have their lines spoken the way they were meant to and actors could tear into said lines. Of course being on it's deathbed but not dead, concessions were still made for certain dialogue in this film.
The movie that Liz was referencing was called "Beyond the Forest." And Bette Davis was NOT carrying groceries when she uttered the phrase "What a Dump." Miss Davis was playing a spoiled housewife who never lifted a finger around the house so it is funny that Liz would say she was carrying groceries. Bette had a maid who she ordered around to do such errands. The character, Rosa Moline, played by Bette Davis would NEVER do errands, much less carry groceries. Miss Davis was actually walking down the stairway in her house filing her nails when she uttered "What a Dump." When Bette gets to the bottom of the stairs she stops....looks around the living room and then utters "What a Dump." and uses her nail file for emphasis.
Notice Martha smoking as she is reaching for the piece of chicken in the refrigerator. She drops the cigarette on the floor and puts it out with her shoe. Then, a few moments later she grabs the cigarette George is smoking. This is the greatest opening scene to any movie I can think of. Absolutely incredible acting. All four actors were nominated for Oscars. Elizabeth Taylor won and Sandy Dennis won. 🏆
The wild thing's are there they just can't seem to seek out good scripts or ball numbing talented people theses day's end of the conversation might have something to do with the two second attention span in our Text message messaged work Life
It's not "Chicago", George and Martha, it's called "In Old Chicago", for heaven's sake. That '30s musical starring little Miss Alice Faye. Don't you know ANYTHING?
This kinda reminds me of the scene in "Sleepless In Seattle" where Rita Wilson is trying to describe the movie "An Affair To Remember" to her disinterested husband and Tom Hanks haha!
+MoscoVik Taylor really wanted this role, and knew early on it could get her the Academy Award she wanted. She was not happy with the '60 film 'Butterfield 8' that did win an Oscar for---at all. She was forced by the studio(s) to make the film. She did not like playing the high-end call girl and felt this was her punishment for the still recent Reyonlds/Fisher debacle. She felt Hollywood and the public both felt this way about her. Although she was great in 'Cleopatra' the role of Martha would a.) eradicate any 'call girl/homewrecker' image she may still have had, and b.) give her the chance to put herself in the league of Bette Davis and the finest actresses of the Golden Age. She was very sincere and adamant about playing Martha which meant she put on extra weight, and 'age' herself quite a few years to look the part. She knew she could do it, she did---and then some. When she won the Academy Award she was PROUD to have won. Anybody commenting here saying she looks 'old' or 'ugly' is clueless she was SUPPOSED to be playing a woman much older than herself, that was probably an alcoholic, that had let herself go. If anyone doesn't know that, (HELLO??) they should. To this day, actors and actresses have to transform themselves for a part. A recent example is Matthew Mc, now in the Lincoln ads, who had to lose a lot of weight for a recent film.
+Bob Pierce Hi! I know all these things ))) My initial post was about my astonishing that even with all these preparations and transformations Elizabeth still didn't look ugly. And yes, she is a marvel. To all who doubt her talent I say - just see this movie. By acting in this movie alone she proved every f*cking critic wrong. Although to me she proved everyone wrong way earlier - in Suddenly Last Summer. Sometimes I think she should've stop after winning 2nd Oscar, but alas, she always did what she felt was right. And we got amazing Taming Of The Shrew after Virginia, so it's all for good )))
Thanks for your comments in regard to mine. First and foremost she definitely did not look ugly; just older than she really was. I've never seen the film 'Suddenly Last Summer'; I've heard of it. I want to see it now, partly based on your comment. The year before that film (in 1958) she has smokin' hot in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' with Burl Ives as Big Daddy. Amazing all around. I really wish Elizabeth Taylor had done comedy. The only time I ever saw her in a real comedy was in the 1970 episode of 'Here's Lucy' with Burton centered around the diamond ring. She was very funny and that episode was one of the best of Lucy's 3rd series!
+Bob Pierce Agreed about Elizabeth and comedies! Everyone who knew her said that she was VERY funny and had witty sense of humor, she made people laugh. I remember interview with Helena Bonham Carter, where she said: "I didn't know Elizabeth was such a clown", meaning that she was extremely funny (also about herself) and fun to be around. I think this is another misconception about Elizabeth: we are so into La Liz image, that real Elizabeth stays almost completely unknown. Maybe it was her purpose, btw... And yes, that episode about diamond ring is hysterical. You can tell that Elizabeth is having great time. PS: Suddenly Last Summer is very weird movie with somewhat disturbing story, but acting is worth watching.
+Bob Pierce I agree but I actually think she looks VERY attractive. I figured she put on weight for this role, and tried to look older, but looking at HER compared to these actresses nowadays...and supermodels trying to be as skinny as a twig...she looks GORGEOUS. She looks healthy...even when she's munching on that chicken drum-stick...She looks real. The way she talks to is A LOT like people I know who drink a bit excessively and this was 1966. It's fun watching older scenes like this, to study how important the dialogue was, rather than all the special effects of today's movies.
Burton should have won the Oscar for this. I hate the Oscars because they suck and it is political just like political everything. Was then and is now. SUCKS A MOOSE, NEVER WATCH THE OSCARS EITHER!
They USUALLY do not pick the most deserving winner in most cases (except in the Best Picture category) The members of the academy must have horrible taste! and no sense of fairness !!
What I like about this movie is that it's an early vulgar film! I saw it when I was 15 and I thought it was awesome because it includes bad language! XD! Thanks for uploading this clip!
* Bette Davis said WHAT A DUMP! but in no movie did she ever say Petah Petah Petah. However in studio commissary when ordering a Gyros sandwich the counterman asked her "French bread or pita?" and she replied "Pita Pita Pita!" ☺
Mike Nichols shot this movie in sequence, and you'll notice that Taylor is not fat at all. There's barely a double chin. However, by the end of the movie, she's 20 pounds heavier, although it all takes place in one night. I wonder if it was deliberate choice to have her more than passably attractive at the start--easing the audience into the weight gain later "that evening."
Is that why you’re always supposed to weigh yourself first thing in the morning because you have less water (or alcohol) in your system? Too bad all of Martha’s braying didn’t burn some of that weight off. “I DON’T BRAY!”
Elizabeth was a really good dramatic actress, but people focused more on her appearance and beauty. rather than her talent. one of the downfalls of being so pretty is people think that is all they have to offer. She submerged her looks to take on a role which was very powerful and dramatic. rather than playing in a Barbie doll movie.
This is her greatest role,knew she was going to win an Oscar.The film has a great soundtrack went to 3 of them,even her scream at the end is on the album..
The irony is Bette Davis was considered for the role of Martha, before it went to Elizabeth Taylor. Would've been funny to hear Bette Davis quote herself from some "goddam Warner Brothers epic".
I was also going to point out that the Alice Faye movie is actually called "In Old Chicago", not just plain "Chicago". But others have already done so. No, what I was going to say was, does any older person (like me) also remember John Belushi imitating Elizabeth Taylor on "Saturday Night Live" when he was eating a chicken drumstick also, and while the interviewer is gushing about Liz and her violet eyes, he/she is choking almost to death? It's partly an imitation of this scene.
To answer Martha’s question, the movie she was referring to is “Beyond the Forest.” It was Bette Davis’s last film with Warner brothers before she left. In fact, she didn’t want to make the film in the first place. She only did it because she was told that if she did it, she would be able to leave the studio.
