Did Elizabeth Taylor And Angela Lansbury Get Along? Uncovering A Hollywood Friendship

Have you ever wondered about the connections between Hollywood's biggest stars, especially those from the golden age? It's natural to be curious about how these incredible talents interacted when the cameras stopped rolling. People often ask, for example, about the bond between two legendary actresses, Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury. It's a question that, you know, really sparks interest for many film fans. So, did these celebrated women truly get along, or was their relationship just for the screen? We're going to explore what the records tell us about their shared experiences and the friendship that grew from them.

For quite a while, fans have been fascinated by the lives of classic film figures. There’s something special about seeing how friendships formed in an era of grand productions and, you know, immense talent. When it comes to Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury, their paths crossed on more than one occasion, leaving a clear trail of their professional and personal connection. We'll look at their time together, from early career moments to later collaborations, to see just how deep their connection ran.

This article aims to give you a clear picture of their relationship, drawing from facts about their work together. We will explore the films that brought them into each other's orbits and, in a way, highlight the genuine affection that seemed to develop between them. It’s pretty interesting to see how their lives intertwined, especially given their lasting impact on cinema. So, let's unpack the story of Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury and, you know, find out if they were indeed good friends.

Table of Contents

• Elizabeth Taylor: A Brief Look
• Early Beginnings: National Velvet (1944)
• A Lifelong Bond: Friendship Beyond the Screen
• Reuniting on Screen: The Mirror Crack’d (1980)
• The Impact of Their Shared Work
• Dispelling Myths: What the Record Shows
• Frequently Asked Questions

Elizabeth Taylor: A Brief Look

Before we get into their shared story, it's helpful to know a little about Elizabeth Taylor herself. She was, you know, a true Hollywood icon, known for her captivating presence and remarkable talent. Her career spanned decades, and she left an indelible mark on the film industry. She had a way of, in a way, commanding attention both on and off the screen.

Personal Details and Bio Data: Elizabeth Taylor

Early Beginnings: National Velvet (1944)

The story of Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury's connection, as a matter of fact, goes way back to the 1940s. Their first major film together was "National Velvet," a Technicolor sports film from 1944. This movie, based on a 1935 novel, told the tale of a young English girl who rode a racehorse. It was, you know, quite a significant project for both actresses at the time.

"National Velvet" is often remembered as Elizabeth Taylor's movie, really, from start to finish. Her smile and enthusiasm, so, just shine through the whole film. It was, arguably, a breakout moment for her. The film itself won two Oscars and, you know, earned a score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is pretty impressive even today.

In this film, Angela Lansbury played Edwina, the older sister of Velvet, who was portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor. So, they were cast as siblings, which, you know, often creates a special bond among actors. This movie also featured Mickey Rooney, who played a horse trainer, just as he did in the 1944 film. It was a star-studded cast, really, that brought this story to life.

While "National Velvet" certainly stands out because it was Elizabeth Taylor's first big role, it also boasted other iconic actors. Angela Lansbury, for instance, was already a rising talent. This early collaboration, you know, set the stage for their future interactions and, you know, perhaps even their friendship.

A Lifelong Bond: Friendship Beyond the Screen

The information suggests that Dame Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor, you know, went beyond just being co-stars. They reportedly embarked on a lifelong friendship after meeting in the 1940s. This is, in a way, a truly wonderful detail, suggesting their connection wasn't just professional but deeply personal too. It’s pretty clear their bond grew strong over the years.

It's not every day that actors who work together, you know, form such lasting relationships. The fact that their friendship endured for a lifetime speaks volumes about the mutual respect and affection they must have shared. This kind of enduring bond, you know, is quite rare in Hollywood, or really, in any profession that's as demanding as theirs. They must have, in some respects, found something truly special in each other.

Their shared experiences in the film world, you know, likely gave them a unique understanding of each other's lives. From the early days of "National Velvet" to later projects, they navigated the ups and downs of fame. This shared journey, you know, probably cemented their friendship, making it something that lasted for decades. It's really quite a testament to their personal connection.

Reuniting on Screen: The Mirror Crack’d (1980)

Decades after "National Velvet," Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury, you know, shared the screen once more in the 1980 British mystery film "The Mirror Crack’d." This movie, directed by Guy Hamilton, was based on Agatha Christie's Miss Marple novel. It was, in a way, a highly anticipated reunion for fans of both actresses.

The cast for "The Mirror Crack’d" was absolutely star-studded. It included Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Kim Novak, Tony Curtis, and, of course, Angela Lansbury. Angela Lansbury took on the role of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, which, you know, many thought she was perfect for. This adaptation was, arguably, aiming for the same kind of success as other Christie films.

Interestingly, when they made "The Mirror Crack’d" in 1980, several of the big stars, including Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Kim Novak, Tony Curtis, and Angela Lansbury, were, in a way, at a lull in their careers. What came after this film, however, was significant for all of them. It was, you know, a pivotal moment, perhaps helping to reignite their careers.

For Elizabeth Taylor, this was, in fact, her final lead starring role in a cinema movie. Publicity for the film stated it was her first big role in a feature film in four years. So, it was a pretty important project for her at that point. The film, you know, brought together these incredible talents for one more memorable on-screen collaboration.

Some viewers, however, were a bit disappointed in the 1980 version of "The Mirror Crack’d." Despite the strong cast, the overall reception was, you know, mixed for some. Still, it remains a significant film because it brought these two friends back together. Angela Lansbury, you know, moved from playing a maid earlier in her career to taking on the beloved Miss Marple in this one.

The Impact of Their Shared Work

The shared films of Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury, particularly "National Velvet" and "The Mirror Crack’d," really, highlight their enduring connection. These movies allowed audiences to see their talents side by side, and, you know, perhaps even sense the genuine bond that existed between them. It's pretty clear their work together was memorable.

"National Velvet," as we discussed, was a huge moment for Elizabeth Taylor. Angela Lansbury's presence in that film, as her older sister, helped to establish the family dynamic. This early collaboration, you know, laid the groundwork for a friendship that, apparently, lasted a lifetime. It's quite something to think about how long they knew each other.

Their reunion in "The Mirror Crack’d" many years later, you know, showed their continued professionalism and their willingness to work together again. Even if the film itself had mixed reviews, the fact that these two legends shared the screen again was, in a way, a treat for film lovers. It reinforced the idea of their lasting connection, really.

It's interesting to consider that while Elizabeth Taylor was often paid for her looks, Angela Lansbury was, in a way, signed for her acting chops, even playing roles like Ingrid Bergman’s maid early on. This difference in their career paths, you know, didn't seem to hinder their friendship. In fact, it might have given them a broader perspective on the industry and, you know, perhaps even a deeper appreciation for each other's unique talents.

Dispelling Myths: What the Record Shows

Given the long history of their work together and the clear statements about their lifelong friendship, it seems, you know, pretty evident that Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury did get along. The information points to a relationship that was built on shared experiences and mutual respect, lasting for many decades. There's really no indication of any major conflict between them.

The fact that they continued to work together, even when their careers were in different phases, suggests a strong professional and personal rapport. They were, in a way, part of the same Hollywood fabric for many years. Their bond, you know, was something that endured through the changing tides of the film industry.

It's important to remember that while public perception can sometimes create myths about celebrity relationships, the facts here, you know, speak for themselves. Their shared history in significant films and the mention of a lifelong friendship, you know, paint a picture of two colleagues who became genuine friends. It's a lovely story, really, about two incredible talents supporting each other.

So, to answer the question, it appears Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury did indeed get along. Their shared cinematic journey and the reported lifelong friendship, you know, strongly support this conclusion. It’s a nice reminder that even in the bright lights of Hollywood, true connections can form and, you know, last for a very long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies did Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury star in together?

Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury, as a matter of fact, starred in two notable films together. Their first collaboration was the 1944 Technicolor sports film, "National Velvet," where Angela Lansbury played Elizabeth Taylor's older sister. Later, they reunited on screen for the 1980 British mystery film, "The Mirror Crack’d," which was, you know, based on an Agatha Christie novel. These two films mark their on-screen pairings.

When did Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury become friends?

According to the information, Dame Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor, you know, embarked on a lifelong friendship after meeting in the 1940s. This suggests their bond likely began around the time they filmed "National Velvet" in 1944. Their early collaboration on that movie, you know, seems to have been the starting point for their enduring connection.

Was "The Mirror Crack'd" a successful movie for Elizabeth Taylor and Angela Lansbury?

"The Mirror Crack’d" was, in a way, a significant film for both actresses, especially for Elizabeth Taylor, as it was her final lead role in a cinema movie. However, the overall reception for the 1980 version of the film was, you know, somewhat mixed for some viewers. Despite this, it brought together a star-studded cast, including Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Kim Novak, Tony Curtis, and Angela Lansbury, and was, arguably, a pivotal moment for many of their careers.

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