How to Be a Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood 1941-1981 by William J. Mann

Author:William J. Mann [Mann, William J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Biography & Autobiography, Entertainment & Performing Arts
ISBN: 9780571260102
Google: JauvKeSpnEYC
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Published: 2010-03-03T11:00:00+00:00

The first delivery of letters—maybe a couple dozen—arrived at Hedda's office on September 12, the day after her front-page exclusive. On the 13th, one of her secretaries lugged in a heavy burlap sack that had just been dropped off by messenger from the Times building downtown. As Hedda sat back wide-eyed and slackjawed in her chair, the secretary proceeded to empty the sack onto her desk. Hundreds of letters spilled out, growing into an enormous pile, several slipping off and falling to the floor. Many were addressed simply to "Miss Hopper, Hollywood." The post office knew how to find her.

Hedda dug in gleefully. "For many years, I have been a fan of Elizabeth Taylor," read one of the first letters, from a woman in Lompoc, California. "I haven't missed a single movie that she has appeared in. I was definitely looking forward to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. But now I wouldn't go to see her movies if someone paid my way. She has made herself sickening and disgusting ... I surely hope that [Eddie Fisher] will see the light of day before it is to [sic] late and return to his sweet wife and family."

Nearly every letter contained more of the same. On the 14th, two sacks were delivered to Hedda's office, and secretaries began sorting the cards, letters, and telegrams into piles on the floor. As Hedda's story was syndicated across the nation and the saga of Liz, Eddie, and Debbie dominated the news, the flood of mail increased. Missives arrived from every state in the union and as far away as Norway and Australia.

The scandal had clearly touched a nerve. Letter writers described themselves as "heavy-hearted" and "broken," unable to stop thinking about Debbie's pain. Several prefaced their comments with the admission that they'd never before written to a newspaper about a celebrity. Many wrote long and personal accounts that reflected the relationship the public still had with movie stars in 1958. "I consider the show people to be my family," one housewife wrote. "I love them all and have made excuses for their marital troubles, flirtations, etc." But Elizabeth's behavior, she said, was "too much to take." Some writers were surprised by the depth of their emotion: "I am so disgusted with myself because I have let the Fisher-Taylor scandal upset me [but] one hears about it everywhere." Another stated: "There is so much feeling about this wherever we go."

Elizabeth's fans were turning on her. Hedda preserved in her files the torn-up glossy photos of Elizabeth that were sent to her, some with the word hussy scrawled over them. A young mother from Natchez, Mississippi, penned a four-page letter pouring out her feelings of betrayal: "As far back as I can possibly remember I've held a driving fascination for Elizabeth Taylor. The only movie magazines I ever read had to have a story or some write-up about her. I have defended her like a best friend." But no more. Now she asked, "Is Miss Taylor

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