He pointed out that she just let the director determine her every move. Horrified, James immediately called for help, but of course, it was already too late. If you have a story that tracks along that line, that will feel true to people. Clift and Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor first became acquainted when they played counterparts on George Stevens's "A Place in the Sun." That Clift was gay made little difference in the intensity and duration of the two stars adoration of one another: here, after all, were two talented, passionate artists who met at a young age (she was in her teens; he was in his late twenties) and immediately discovered that they were, for lack of a better phrase, soul mates. Have I said something wrong? The decline continued. The script wasnt necessarily that special, but it would give him a chance to re-unite with Elizabeth Taylor, and that, it seemed, was enough to pull him out of semi-retirement. Still, his second venture was perhaps even more of an impressive feat. Unlike Rock Hudson, whose affairs were very nearly exposed to the entire nation by Confidential, Clift never made the pages of the scandal rags. He was the son of Ethel "Sunny" Anderson (Fogg; 1888-1988) and William Brooks Clift (1886-1964). He was one of Hollywoods most desirable leading men, but mystery shrouded his entire private life. Guided by the key biographies of Clift, they reliably parrot a narrative which paints the actor as a startlingly attractive and prodigiously gifted man who, according to one notably overheated tabloid TV show became a drug-addicted alcoholic living in a self-imposed hell because he had a secret he couldnt live with. Clift was there, as were actors Kevin McCarthy and Rock Hudson, and Hudson's wife, Phyllis Gates, per Vanity Fair. . A four-time Academy Award nominee, The New York Times said he was known for his portrayal of "moody, sensitive young men". He was the son of Ethel "Sunny" Anderson (Fogg; 1888-1988) and William Brooks Clift (1886-1964). . He read books about Montgomery Clift and James Dean, and credited seeing "Taxi Driver" at age 13 with fueling his desire to be in movies. Moreover? Hepburn was reportedly so incensed by Mankiewiczs treatment of Clift that when the film officially wrapped, she found the director and spat in his face. His father, William Brooks "Bill" Clift (1886-1964), was the vice-president of Omaha National Trust Company. Because of the accident, the studio worried about the success of Raintree County. Upon closer inspection, Clifts career reveals notable clues as to who he genuinely was and the private struggles he faced. Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor in A Place in the Sun. Taylor and Clift: Photos From the Set of A Place in the Sun. Where were these so-called women? Well, at the very heart of it all, Montgomery Clift hid a dangerous secretone that wouldnt emerge untilyears later. What finally brought him back to the screen? He wanted to be a free agent, and he did it successfully. When interviewed, the "From Here to Eternity" actor would wave it off, noting that he would be with a woman when he finds the right person. I mean, he is a A bulls horn scarred his nose and his attempt to tame a horse gave him intense rope burnnot to mention all the other scrapes he earned along the way. He believed that the media often, and easily, twisted the truth until it disappeared entirely: I learned that most writers dont need interviews to write about me. But even the troubled blonde bombshell recognized that her co-star was in dire straits. He gained excellent theatrical notices and soon piqued the interests of numerous lovelorn actresses; their advances met with awkward conflict. Beautiful man. Today, its impossible to know the specifics of Clifts sexuality: his brother, Brooks, would later claim that his brother was bisexual, while various writings from within Hollywood indicate that Clifts sexuality wasnt entirely a secret. Production resumed on Raintree County, which the studio feared would fail following Clifts accident. His first two films were smashing successesand for veryimpressive reasons. After his accident, Clift had an arduous road to recovery. Contact sheets from LIFE photographer Peter Stackpoles shoot on a Paramount lot with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift in 1950. Although he may not have realized it, Clifts horrific accident sparked the beginning of the end, intensifying his preexisting ailments and sending him down a dark path from which he could never return. Montgomery Clift was in relationships with Sal Mineo, Paul Newman, Henry Willson, Jack Larson, William LeMassena, Libby Holman, Maurice Leonard and Arnold Saint Subber. All rights reserved. . In fact, after the lovers have been separated for good and the young man is in the death house [Clifts character murders Winters after getting her pregnant], the face of the girl comes floating in via double exposure to give him a last unsubstantial peck before he goes out to be executed. ", However, it became more eminent that his single status bordered on his sexuality as time went on. It was a flimsy speculation built on shaky evidence, but with no sign of any real lovemaking in Clifts life, it was all the fan magazines had. Montgomery Clift 39 30. When the duo finally met in Stevens' office, it was pretty magical for Taylor. For us, it seemed there was this big difference between what people thought about Monty in the public sphere and what people that knew him would say, said Clift. But something of the old talent remainedor at least enough to earn Clift a nomination for best-supporting actor, playing, in the words of film critic David Thomson, a victim irretrievably damaged by suffering. Plans for Clift to play the lead in the film adaptation of Carson McCullerss The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter fell through, in large part due to his uninsurability on set, and promises of a fourth collaboration with Taylor, this time with producer Ray Stark, never came to pass. Montgomery Clift made a name for himself in Hollywood with several awards and nominations. But when his nephew dives into the family archives, a much more complicated picture emerges. Montgomery Edward "Monty" Clift (October 17, 1920 - July 23, 1966) was an American movie, television, radio, and stage actor who is known for his roles in From Here to Eternity, A Place in the Sun, The Misfits, Red River, and in Judgement at Nuremberg.He was nominated four times for an Academy Award.His great-great-grandfather was politician Francis Preston Blair. He died. He insisted on maintaining his residence in New York, spending as little time in Hollywood as possible. In Clifts eyes, de Havilland imparted nothing of herself into the role. James found his patient sitting up in bed and watching his film, The Misfits, but Clift clearly didnt want to be disturbed. Montgomery Blair (May 10, 1813 - July 27, 1883) was an American politician and lawyer from Maryland. All his life, it was misery," said McCarthy. Oddly enough, when he died, the homocons on Gay Patriot praised him on . He could watch the real grit of humanity play out before himthe court a stage for some of the most sensational high-profile cases. Then again, nothing about Clifts life was expected. My mom never told me how her best friend died. The two met under the big tent where they performed together. Instead, he bided his time, and thankfully, luck was on his side. . The 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now, Titled Refueling at Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Clifts handwriting. Will she ride the term to Oscar gold? Over the next decade, the burgeoning actor dug his heels in and made a name for himself on the stage. Fearful for her friends image, she threatened the press: If they even dared to take one photo of her friend, she would personally ensure the end of their careers. A young naive woman falls for a handsome young man who her emotionally abusive father suspects is a fortune hunter. His . However, one salient fact remains: Clifts ruined face never made it to the papersIn fact, not one photograph of that night exists. Hes never sucked my cock.. MONTY YOU WERE THE BEST!!! While they may not make old-timers forget the Greta Garbo-John Gilbert embraces of the 20s, Miss Taylor and Mr. Clift lose no chance to show why they are considered two of the hottest juveniles in Hollywood. You couldn't help but come. He was such a mess on the set of Freud (1962) that Universal sued him. Months of surgeries, rebuilding, and physical therapy followed. . A portrait of Elizabeth Taylor And Montgomery Clift from the film "A Place In The Sun", 1951 | Photo: Getty Images. Edward Montgomery Clift (nicknamed 'Monty' his entire life) was born on October 17, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska, just after his twin sister Roberta (1920-2014) and eighteen months after his brother Brooks Clift. She made it known that it all boiled down to love. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk. He didnt want the studios to dictate the kinds of roles he would play, his nephew said. Montgomery Clift had an encounter with Marlon Brando. Finally, Clift had a chance to climb out of his slumpbut before he made it over the top, tragedy struck. Close friends, such as actor Kevin McCarthy and his wife, tried to get Clift to slow down and dry out, but their pleas . And the cherry on top? A car crash in the prime of his career left him in constant pain, and he drank himself to an early death, creating an aesthetic of suffering that has guided the way we think about him today. (1950), (originally written specifically for him; the story perhaps hitting a little too close to home) and High Noon (1952).His long apprenticeship on stage made him a thoroughly accomplished actor, notable for the intensity with which he researched and approached his roles. Her interests include the European Renaissance, popular culture, and Internet history. . Montgomery Clift was in relationships with Sal Mineo, Paul Newman, Henry Willson, Jack Larson, William LeMassena, Libby Holman, Maurice Leonard and Arnold Saint Subber. Unlike many of his handsome contemporaries, he never had a blonde bombshell hanging off his arm. The 'Red River star was then tagged a gay icon. d-d-darling, I r-r-really wouldnt know. The documentary was released at the Los Angeles Film Festival and . A portrait of Montgomery Clift acting as Matt Garth in the western film "Red River" on 01 January, 1948 | Photo: Getty Images. In 1966, Clifts stalwart friend, Elizabeth Taylor, came to his aid once again and managed to get him a part in Reflections in a Golden Eye. Grasping at straws, the media decided to do what little they could to sensationalize the actors non-existent, One of Clifts closest friends was a woman named Myra Letts, and for the ruthless gossip columns, it wasnt a huge leap from friend to girlfriend. Clift didnt entertain this for a second and shot the sordid speculations down immediately, saying that there was zero intimacy between them: those romantic rumors are embarrassing to both of us.. Edward Montgomery Clift was born on October 17, 1920, in Omaha, Nebraska. Apparently, Burt Lancaster's From Here to Eternity co-star Montgomery Clift intimidated himso much so that in their first scene together you can see Lancaster shaking. Part of honoring someone is being open to that person not being just one, reductive thing., Making Montgomery Clift is showing at NewFest with a release date yet to be announced, Tab Hunter: how Hollywood's boy next door became a gay icon, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Luckily, over time, they clawed their way back to financial security. or over 30 years, scripts have floated around Hollywood promising to tell the story of Montgomery Clift, one of the most innovative and handsome actors in history. But this was only the beginning. Observers also point out that Clift had sexual relationships with women. She noted that they needed to live a life of equality while being able to get married and adopt kids. Clift had a rather negative notion about Taylor even before meeting her. But when hedid get a hankering for a fun excursion, Clift knew exactly where he wanted to be. In fact, the attitudes he and his family held towards his relationships with men were strikingly modern. Just look at the fan magazine titles: Making Love the Clift Way, Two Loves Has Monty, Montgomery Clifts Tragic Love Story, Is It True What They Say About Monty? Who Is Monty Kidding? Hes Travelin Light, The Lurid Love Life of Montgomery Clift, and, perhaps most flagrantly, Monty Clift: Woman Hater or Free Soul?. She once lovingly described how she was in awe of the star actor's perfect facial features. Once on stage, Clift truly came into his own. made. During her appearance at the GLAAD Media Awards, Taylor openly spoke about her late friends sexuality while she addressed the rights of gay people. Jennifer Jones (Actor), Montgomery Clift (Actor), Vittorio De Sica (Director) Format: DVD 127 ratings IMDb 6.2/10.0 $797 Prime Video $0.99 $2.99 Blu-ray $14.99 DVD $7.97 VHS Tape $4.73 See More Frequently bought together + + Total price: $27.95 Add all three to Cart Some of these items ship sooner than the others. That, combined with his spiraling alcohol addiction, wrung the youth right out of the handsome actor. Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? A way into the 70s, there was more clarification to his sexuality. He has a ghastly, shattered expression. And it wasnt just in private record: in October 1956, Louella Parsons reported on Clifts very bad health and Holmans attempts to clean him up. At the end of the day, Clifts private nurse Lorenzo James checked in on him just after midnight. Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark historyor the chilling secret shared by her and Louis. Jack Larson, famous for playing Jimmy Olsen in the hit 1950s TV series Adventures of Superman, recalled how Clift gave him a full mouth kiss the first time they casually met. Clift couldnt get through longer scenes, having to split them up into two or three chunks. Show details Montgomery Clift Born: 1920-10-17, Omaha, Nebraska, USA Education: NA Ethnicity: Caucasian Death Date:-0001-11-30 Addition Websites. He was sick of being a symbol, a symptom, a testament to something. Like them, Clift was comfortable with the full contours, and consequences, of his beauty, playing the object in a way previously preserved for female stars. Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor during the filming of A Place in the Sun. When it came to the lengthier scenes, the actor just couldnt deliver; they had to be divided into smaller cuts just so he could see them through. / Montys face is broken on a wheel. He summoned a doctor, but it was already too late. In fact, Hepburn was so offended by Mankiewicz that she did something outrageous. It was reported that Taylor even tried to help him find a partner. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Until it sinks into a sentimental quagmire the end, the second movie excels first in being remarkably faithful to Dreisers tale of three pitiful youngsters and in telling the story with the same earnestness and breadth that have made the novel survive as a classic. Lancaster's . There was a nonchalance to Clifts attitude in regards to women. In one tape made by his father in the 1960s, we hear the stars mother tell him, with untroubled candor, that Monty was a homosexual early. But if you look at his own words, his testimonies about what acting did to him, youll see the culprit. He got him going again. and his wife, the former Ethel Fogg. With Clift on board, Suddenly, Last Summer morphed into a verifiable mess. At the age of 25, Clift made the leap to Hollywoodbut he was a rebel right from the get-go. Montgomery Clift is American by birth. There were even speculations that he was warned about being gay. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. After all, his leading lady was none other than the beguiling Elizabeth Taylor, and together, these two stars were pure fire. American actor Montgomery Clift was spectacular on the big screen for his portrayal of sensitive male characters. That secret that Clift was gay during an impossible era (the 1930s through the 60s) led many interpreters to conclude that the actor must have led a life riddled with fear and shame. By 15, Clift made his Broadway debut in Cole Porters Jubilee. A still of Montgomery Clift. According to this version of the story, when photographers arrived, Taylor announced that she knew each and every one of them personally-- and if they took pictures of Clift, who was still very much alive, shed make sure they never worked in Hollywood again. Quite fittingly, he once said, The closer we come to the negative, todeath, the more we blossom. Even after his passing, his forever friend, Elizabeth Taylor, never forgot him. After Eternity he dropped out of Hollywood for several years, and signed a three-year contract with MGM in 1955 to make Raintree County, which re-united him with his Place in the Sun co-star Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor, at last free from her long-standing contract with MGM, next used her power as the biggest star in Hollywood to insist that Clift be cast in her new project, Suddenly, Last Summer (1959). And yet, the mystery persists. Taylor, caught up in filming with Richard Burton in Paris, sent flowers to the funeral. Between 1963 and 1966, he faded from public view, emerging only to film a final performance in the French spy thriller The Defector (1966). The view then about queer people was that they would be inherently conflicted or tormented about their sexuality, said Demmon. Whether this captivating story is real or not remains to be seen. Born in 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska, Clift was raised like an aristocrat, with a private tutor and frequent trips to Europe. However, this was no quick fix. He was only 15 years old, but this wasnt just a fun pastimeit was serious business. Or, as Bosley Crowther, taking the populist slant in The New York Times, explained, the characters were amusing, but they were also shallow and inconsequential, and that is the dang-busted trouble with this film.. This made him an A-list actor and a multi-award-winning star. ), William Brooks Clift, Jr. (19191986) (Aged 66 Or 67) (Who Had An Illegitimate Son With Actress Kim Stanley And Was Later Married To Political Reporter Eleanor Clift. Every actor was in the midst of fighting their own demons. It was a huge wager: since everyone knew how much booze and pills Clift was on, he was virtually uninsurable on set.
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