But even as Clift consistently took the road less traveled, he still had some biting things to say about the media, especially its desire to pin down his image. This is what happened that night. 36, No. Angel Of Death: Reframing Montgomery Clift At 100 - The Quietus Excerpt from Patricia Bosworth's Montgomery Clift: A Biography.Kevin McCarthy describes the tragic car accident that almost killed Montgomery Clift and ruined his face. How Liz Taylor Saved Monty Clift's Life | Lisa's History Room Still relevant today. The majority of the interior scenes were shot at MGM Studios in Hollywood, California before the accident. [95], Clift was also friends with Marlon Brando, who dropped by his home offering to accompany him to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. As his eyes drifted closed, Clift suddenly veered off the road and drove straight into a telephone pole. Actress Marilyn Monroe even warned him never to work with Hutson, whom she described as a "sadist. 2023 Cond Nast. How? Clift, Robert Anderson and Hillary Demmon (2018). He represented the new wave of post-World War II actors who were handsome, intelligent, soft-spoken, introspective, and acted with intensity. The schedule for Reflections in a Golden Eye was then set for August 1966, but Clift died in July 1966. 7.7. The Death of Tormented Actor Montgomery Clift (July 23, 1966) In 1957 however, he suffered from a terrible car accident and was pulled from the wreck by his friend Eizabeth Taylor.His jawbone and front teeth were smashed, which later affected . Clift required intensive physical therapy as well. These are just among the many words which have been used to describe Montgomery Clift, the enigmatic heartthrob of the 1950s. 18. a plaque reading MONTGOMERY CLIFT LIVED HERE 1960-1966, which Clift's mother . He tended to funnel most of his energy into intense rehearsals with acting coach Mira Rostova who accompanied him on set. [30] The film was awarded a screenwriting Academy Award for the credited writers. [9] Clift had English and Scottish ancestry on his father's side, wealthy relatives who hailed from Chattanooga, Tennessee. . Making Montgomery Clift: truth behind gay self-loathing myth He summoned a doctor, but it was already too late. His mother wanted all of her children to be raised as distinguished aristocrats, and as such, little Clift and his siblings received an elite upbringing: private tutors, extensive travel, and language lessons. But the tragedies didnt end there. New Edition. It took Clift months to recover from his injuries. Even the press seemed to unintentionally hit upon the one thing he wanted to keep hidden, with titles like Two Loves Has Monty and Monty Clift: Woman Hater or Free Soul?. Upon closer inspection, Clifts career reveals notable clues as to who he genuinely was and the private struggles he faced. Before the terrible incident, the star made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. [89][90] One of Clift's first intimate relationships was with composer Lehman Engel. Violet-eyed siren Elizabeth Taylor and classically handsome Montgomery Clift were the most gorgeous screen couple of their time. Clift also had participated in radio broadcasts early in his career, though, according to one critic, he hated the medium. Pulp International - Photo of the crashed car of actor Montgomery Clift [20] Clift proved to be a successful young stage actor working with, among others, Dame May Whitty, Alla Nazimova, Mary Boland, Cornelia Otis Skinner, Fredric March, Tallulah Bankhead, Alfred Lunt, and Lynn Fontanne. To attract Clift's spirit, Jacobson brought two black and white pictures of the star--one before . What finally brought him back to the screen? [72] Clift and Robbins camouflaged their relationship by dating women. Despite the studio's concerns over profits, Clift correctly predicted the film would do well, if only because moviegoers would flock to see the difference in his facial appearance before and after the crash.[42]. Luckily, his isolated lifestyle gave him an advantage. In 1963, when the "Red River" star recalled the traumatic incident, he mentioned a long day's shoot as the reason he was asleep during the crash. He said that he was with Monty at a party on Fire Island [and Clift said] 'I've got an idea for a musical. On the evening of May 12, 1956, during the shooting of this movie, Montgomery Clift was involved in a serious car accident on his way back home from a party at the house of Dame Elizabeth Taylor. She continued to stand by his memory by supporting gay rights and speaking out against homophobia. Jennings, Wade (1991) The Star as Cult Icon: Judy Garland, in J. P. Telotte (ed. However, in 1962, Cliff had to sign up to play Sigmund Feud in Huston's biopic "Freud: The Secret Passion." Years before, Clift had battled dysentery, which introduced him to the sinister side effects of pain management. However, this changed after Clift's car accident that left his face in a terrible condition. Meeting veteran stage and screen actor Kevin McCarthy in a Hollywood restaurant was a thrilling experience. Clifts early foray into acting led him to a Broadway debut in 1935. He spent months in the hospital and had major plastic surgeries. The actor died there on July 23, 1966, of an apparent heart attack. Gehman, Richard (1957) Montys Brush with Death, Photoplay, Vol. Taylor also threatened to end any photographer's career who dared to take a picture of the seriously wounded Clift. 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. Loy responded to him almost visibly, an observer reportedly once said. He could watch the real grit of humanity play out before himthe court a stage for some of the most sensational high-profile cases. According to Balaban, she was nave about Clift's homosexuality and romantic involvement with the young English actor, who would occasionally accompany them on public outings. However, one salient fact remains: Clifts ruined face never made it to the papersIn fact, not one photograph of that night exists. Suddenly, Last Summer (1959), Columbia Pictures, The Truth Always Comes Out: Dark Family Secrets Exposed, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress, Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIIIs First Wife, Tormented Facts About Edvard Munch, The Man Behind The Scream, Shameless Facts About Cleo De Merode, The First Celebrity, Calamitous Facts About Sharon Stone, Hollywoods Unlucky Star, Surprising Facts About Phil Hartman, The Tragic Comedian. Actor Montgomery Clift was born October 17, 1920, in Omaha, Nebraska. Doane, Mary Ann (2003) The Close-Up: Scale and Detail in the Cinema, Differences: A Journal of Feminist Cultural Studies, Vol. Inside, he found Clift dead: he was undressed, lying in his bed still wearing his eyeglasses and with both fists clenched by his side. Kevin McCarthy: "Montgomery Clift was brilliant in every way". At the age of 25, Clift made the leap to Hollywoodbut he was a rebel right from the get-go. [47] Director Stanley Kramer, later wrote in his memoirs that Clift "wasn't always close to the script, but whatever he said fitted in perfectly" and that he suggested Clift turn to Spencer Tracy to "ad lib something" when he struggled to remember his lines for his one scene. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. 14, No. Instead, this postwar icon's career unglamorously petered out, the matinee idol and Method trailblazer losing his looks, suddenly, in a 1956 car accident and his reputation, more slowly, to the . [40][41] In a filmed interview years later in 1963, Clift described his injuries in detail, including how his broken nose could be snapped back into place. But it was his next pairing with Elizabeth Taylor that proved to be his most dynamic on-screen. Malden and Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. Girelli, Elisabetta (2013) "Montgomery Clift Queer Star", Wayne University Press. It was taken in 1936. While filmingThe Search,he asked the director to reshoot a scene for one baffling reason: He called a boy dear. But that wasnt all. CrossRef It wasnt until years after his tragic passing that Clifts darkest secret finally came out. is for general information purposes only. He shifted his moods erratically, from a brooding pose to a bursting smile. if only because audiences would want to compare his face from before and after the accident. And when it came to riotous parties, well, he avoided nightlife like the plague. El joven que cambi para siempre el estereotipo del aejo galn con sus . He worked extensively on his character, and was again nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Montgomery Clift - Wikipedia Raintree County (1957) - Trivia - IMDb He could barely remember his lines and often didnt show up to set. EZ - Everything Zoomer While his brother claimed that Clift was bisexual, writer Truman Capotes unpublished work alludes to Clifts gayness quite explicitly. [60] According to Clift's brother, Clift was either gay or bisexual. Little did he know, he was always destined for something more. Clift was driving a Chevrolet Bel Air sedan when the accident occurred. There was a nonchalance to Clifts attitude in regards to women. She gave so much as an actress, Clift once recalled. With his next two films, The Misfits (1961) and Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), Clift pivoted to somewhat smaller supporting or cameo roles that required less overall screen time while still delivering demanding performances. Montgomery Clift - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre Secaucus, NJ: Citadel Press. After a two-month recovery period, Clift returned to the set to finish the film. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. This would not only show off his range but allow him to sidestep any dangers of typecasting. While this traumatic event robbed him of his heartthrob status and turned him into a somewhat disturbing, socially alienated character, author Elisabetta Girelli argues that Clift had always combined on-screen erotic ambiguity with real . The unhinged character he played in the film hit too close to home and psychologically drained him. Because of the accident, the studio worried about the success of Raintree County. After midnight, shortly before 1:00a.m., James went to his own bedroom to sleep, without saying another word to Clift. Clift, presumably an introvert, would have been super frustrated to know his physical look would be a topic for national speculation. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. The entire scene was extremely unsettling as Clift still wore his eyeglasses, and had his hands rigidly clenched. Montgomery Clift may have been one of the most self-aware actors of his day, and he certainly knew the name of the game. They took a risk on the troubled actorand it endedbadly. (1951) Movies of the Week: A Place in the Sun, Life, 28 May: 478 and 50. Vintage Hollywood. Over two decades of friendship they made, separately and together, some of the era's defining movies-including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Misfits, Suddenly, Last Summer, and Cleopatra. is also about him. With the facial reconstruction, heavy painkiller use, and rampant alcohol abuse that took place . Clift also took to drinking, and his addiction was well known amongst his colleagues. Montgomery Clift had the most earnest of faces: big, pleading eyes, a set jaw, and a side part that reminds you of old pictures of your granddad. At the time, Clift was encouraged to hide his sexuality because it would destroy his career as a leading man in Hollywood. . [81] She attended the New York premiere of A Place in the Sun in August 1951 as his date. Montgomery Clift's House Goes on the Market - New York Magazine Clift was recovering from a car accident during the movie's shoot (the actor was "dying on his feet," according to one biography), but Hepburn treated him with great kindness. that benefits the victims. Elizabeth Taylor Was 'Completely Broken' After Death Of Her 'Soulmate 'Happy Days's' Anson Williams Divorced the Same Woman Twice after Almost Losing His Life in the Early 2000s, Marlo Thomas Spouse Was a Virgin before Marriage to Mom of His 5 Kids & a Lousy Lover Afterward, Why Is Chris Pratt Receiving Backlash? Strikingly beautiful and exceptionally talented, Montgomery Clift was at the peak of his fame in 1956 when a devastating car crash nearly destroyed his face. He would continue to act, but by the 1960's his career wasn't going well and he died prematurely at 45 suffering a heart attack most likely brought on by years of drug and alcohol abuse. On 12 May 1956, during production, Montgomery Clift's face was disfigured after a near-fatal car accident. He was in the middle of making "Raintree County," a movie that reunited him with his "A Place in the Sun" co-star Elizabeth Taylor, and his accident took place after Clift had been a guest at Taylor's Beverly Hills home. [citation needed], Following a 15-minute funeral at St. James' Church on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, which was attended by 150 guests, including Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, and Nancy Walker, Clift was buried in the Friends Quaker Cemetery, Prospect Park, Brooklyn. The accident partially paralyzed his face and left him addicted to alcohol and painkillers. After a near-fatal auto accident in 1956 ravaged his perfect face, Clift, now addicted to alcohol, painkillers, and, by some accounts, tormented by his closeted homosexuality, began a downward . Thanks for your help! You can also search for this author in I do not count myself as a member of the ripped-sweatshirt fraternity.. Whether platonic or not, these two actors shared an undeniable bond that was undeniably strengthened by this one unfortunate event. "[32] Clift was on the cover of Life magazine by December 1948. With unprecedented control over the projects he starred in, Clift agreed to do the romantic drama, The Heiress. Google Scholar. Part of Clift's mother's effort was her determination that her children should be brought up in the style of true aristocrats. Montgomery Clift 1956 Car Crash EXACT Location - YouTube Eight-times married Elizabeth Taylor could be cruel to the men in her life, but she cradled Montgomery Clift's shattered face in her hands with the tenderness of a mother caring for an injured . One infamous fact about Montgomery Clift is that he only owned one suit. Barred from feature films, Clift turned to voice work. . . He earned an impressive four Academy Award nominations during his career. In order to get him the part, she had to offer up some kind of insurance, and this time, she put her own salary on the line. As a result, Clift's health and physical appearance deteriorated. Clift's body was taken to the city morgue about 2 miles (3.2km) away at 520 First Avenue, and autopsied. Clift countersued with the assertion that he struggled to keep up with an overwhelming volume of last-minute script revisions and that an accidental blow to both eyes on set gave him cataracts. Also in 1951, Clift was for the first time cast as Tom in the radio world premiere of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, with Helen Hayes (Amanda) and Karl Malden (the Gentleman Caller), for The Theatre Guild on the Air.[25]. Bettmann . But when hedid get a hankering for a fun excursion, Clift knew exactly where he wanted to be. However, Clift soon realized that you cant always have your cake and eat it too. Escena de la pelcula francesa El desertor (1966), ltima interpretacin de Monty Clif. Some believe that Clifts romantic leanings were much less of a secret than originally thought. Montgomery Clift was a great actor. Instead, he bided his time, and thankfully, luck was on his side. He looked about ten years older than the Montgomery Clift audiences remembered and adored. Hollywood's Montgomery Clift, who was highly wanted for his diverse acting skill in the industry, kept the public entertained during his time. Dyer, Richard (1998) Stars. [22] On May 24, 1944, he was part of the cast of Eugene O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness! [43] He began to behave erratically in public, which embarrassed his friends. Montgomery Clift: a life in portaits | BFI Wayne portrayed a hard and brutal father and boss while Clift played a gentler and more vulnerable son. Clift, along with actor Kevin McCarthy, had been attending a party at Elizabeth Taylor's house in Beverly Hills. Anon. He played the desperate, the drunken, and the. This biography of Montgomery Clift provides detailed information about his childhood, life, acting career, achievements and timeline. Maxwell, Elsa (1949) Talk, Dark and Different, Photoplay, Vol. The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. That year, Clift voted for Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire. But the troubled star (seen here with Donna Reed in 1953's "From Here to Eternity") kept that conflict a secret until his death in 1966 at the age of 45. Soon, the washed-up actor was completely out of work. Christine Tran is a history buff(ette) and media scholar. Dean: East of Eden, Rebel Without A Cause, Giant. After the success of 1953sFrom Here to Eternity, Montgomery Clift suddenly stopped making films. 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. ", The "Suddenly, Last Summer" star reportedly had the worse of experience with John Huston. [36], On the evening of May 12, 1956, while filming Raintree County, Clift was involved in a serious car crash after leaving a dinner party hosted by Elizabeth Taylor and her husband, Michael Wilding. He also won a nomination for Best Actor. - 134.209.105.160. Whatever the case may be, Montgomery Clifts life was unbelievably impressive and distressing. Although Clift and Montgomery were only good friends, their coupling inA Place in the Sunhelped drive its popularity. The social-media famous cat could not attend in person, but a handful of guests found ways to honor her with their looks. An adopted child, his mother Sunny maintained that Clifts true maternal great-grandfathers were the US postmaster-general Montgomery Blair as well as Union commander Robert Anderson, a part of her lineage that was clarified to her (when she came of age) by Dr. Edward Montgomery, the family doctor who delivered her. Elizabeth Taylor (all of 17 years old) and Montgomery Clift posed together at Paramount Studios during a break in filming A Place in the Sun. Scandals of Classic Hollywood: The Long Suicide of Montgomery Clift [88], While filming for Vittorio De Sica in Italy, Clift had a romance with Truman Capote. 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Clift received and declined offers for roles in the following films: In 1960, Clift was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6104 Hollywood Boulevard. A biographer is speaking out this week to talk about the strong bond between the Hollywood stars Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. Determined to make it better, he made some key changesand they made allthe difference. In remembering Clift, McCarthy said, his face was torn awaya bloody pulp. Berkeley: University of California Press. James Franco's brother, Dave Franco, portrays Montgomery Clift in a short scene in the movie. [4] A documentary titled Making Montgomery Clift was made by his nephew in 2018, to clarify many myths that were created about the actor.[5]. He was involved with the Adventures of Superman actor Jack Larson and theater actor William LeMassena,[69][70] with whom he had a three-year relationship. They seem to have their stories all written out beforehand.. Unable to display preview. Onscreen and off, he was what the kids these days Luckily, over time, they clawed their way back to financial security. Of course, Clift didnt walk away unscathed either. | You see, when Clift sat down to read through the script for The Search,he was less than enthused with the writing. Making distraction rewarding since 2017. Concerned and unable to break the door down, James ran down to the back garden and climbed up a ladder to enter through the second-floor bedroom window. Horrified, James immediately called for help, but of course, it was already too late. After his accident, Clift had an arduous road to recovery. He is best remembered for his roles in Howard Hawks's Red River (1948), George Stevens's A Place in the Sun (1951), Fred Zinnemann's From Here to Eternity (1953), Stanley Kramer's Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), and John Huston's The Misfits (1961). But while his siblings enrolled in prestigious schools, Montgomery Clift went hurtling in a completely different direction. does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. The film received added media attention due to the rumors that Clift and co-star Elizabeth Taylor were dating in real life. The crew of Raintree Country even had code words about his state of intoxication. He appeared with Marlon Brando, Dean Martin, and Hope Lange in The Young Lions (1958). Cohan, Steven (1997) Masked Men: Masculinity and the Movies in the Fifties. Clift had shown an interest in acting and theatrics as a child living in Switzerland and France but did not take the initiative to go out for a part in a local production until age 13, when his family was forced to downsize and relocate from Chicago to Sarasota, Florida. "Georgia" meant bad, "Florida" very bad, and "Zanzibar" unworkable. Montgomery Clift - Anarchopedia Eager for a job, journalist Adam White accepts the lowly position of columnist for the advice-giving section of the Chronicle but he often clashes with his cynical editor, Shrike. What happened next has since become the stuff of Hollywood legend. He hated the criticism and the labels, and eventually, he just couldnt take it anymore. 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.. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. Anon. Actor. Before,. Votes: 23,513. Montgomery Clift made a name for himself in Hollywood with several awards and nominations. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 18197. User Ratings He used inner silence, unusual pauses in his speeches, awkward body movements. Home Crooked Marquee "Monty," as the performer was known to family and . Clift was unhappy with the quality of the script, and reworked it himself. James found his patient sitting up in bed and watching his film, The Misfits, but Clift clearly didnt want to be disturbed. Apparently, one of Clifts tooths had pierced his tongue, causing him to choke. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. Montgomery Clift: 10 essential films | BFI We raise awareness about these issues to help potential victims seek professional counseling and prevent anyone from getting hurt. Montgomery Clift spent a miserly 10 dollars a month on what his friends referred to as a beat up apartment. Still, unlike other notable gay actors, any affairs Montgomery Clift had were secured behind a lock and key. [3] He also executed a rare move by not signing a contract after arriving in Hollywood, only doing so after his first two films were a success. I am not one of Americas Angry Young Men. It wasn't long before he made his way to New York City. He even appeared in the original production of Tennessee Williams' play "You Touched Me" (1945) (per Playbill). James Naremore's description of Clift's 'ravaged face' in Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) aptly expresses the decline in the star's appearance following the accident. Part of Springer Nature. A portrait of Montgomery Clift after his accident on 01 January, 1958 | Photo: Getty Images, After Clift's terrible car accident, the star faced some challenging moments in the movie industry. Here are some examples: Scenes filmed before the accident involving Montgomery 'Monty' Clift's character of John Wickliff Shawnessy:-Scene with his parents where his dad tells him he is related to Thomas Carlyle-First time John meets Flash Perkins-Photography scene (first time he meets Susannah)-Drinking scene with Flash Perkins-The race-The . But just as Clift dove into this exciting new chapter, an unforeseen tragedy changedeverything. Stirring Old Ghosts Amid the Hallowed Haunts of Hollywood Montgomery Clift. that benefits the victims. July 22, 1966, was a sweltering day in New York City, and Montgomery Clift had been languishing in his townhouse on 61st Street. Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship But even the troubled blonde bombshell recognized that her co-star was in dire straits. When James offered to join him, the belligerent shot him down immediately, crying, Absolutely not.Sadly, this was Montgomery Clifts final interaction. This was described as "a power differential that would go on to structure the starstudio relationship for the next 40 years". [38] She pulled a hanging tooth that was cutting into his tongue, before accompanying him into the ambulance.[39]. The N.Y.P.L.s Montgomery Clift papers also contain several undated images of his Suddenly, Last Summer co-star Katharine Hepburn looking characteristically redoubtable and Waspy. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Damaged Beauty: Montgomery Clift, Tragedy and the Redefinition of a Star Image. At the end of the day, Clifts private nurse Lorenzo James checked in on him just after midnight. Clift, however, was so unsteady and unstable while filming "Freud" (1962) that his movie studio brought a lawsuit against him (via Vanity Fair). advocates for a healthy discussion about the instances of violence, abuse, sexual misconduct, animal cruelty, abuse etc. Luckily, although the public was out for blood, there was one woman on his side. He needed a lot of plastic surgery to repair his face, according to the Los Angeles Times. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. But that wasnt all. User Reviews "[79] Robbins called Clift a "theatrical genius" early on in their affair.[80]. According to the actor's lawyer, Jack Clareman, Clift was found by his secretary Lorenzo James, who claimed the actor went to bed "in good spirits.". "[142] "Monty Got a Raw Deal" by rock band R.E.M. For the next nine years, Clift made nearly as many films after his traumatic car accident as he had previously. Montgomery Clift, la gueule d'ange meurtrie de Hollywood - Tlrama That same year, he had a small but powerful role in "Judgment at Nuremberg," playing Polish man who testified during the Nazi trials about being sterilized, per the Los Angeles Times. Si Hollywood (y l mismo) hubiese permitido a Montgomery Clift ser l mismo, su (breve) vida habra sido diferente. American actor Montgomery Clift (1920 - 1966), circa 1950.
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