Em, knowing how important Burton continues to be for John, gets John talking about him.
John says Burton was a "complex, intellectual," -- deeply devoted to reading books, "endlessly reading, studying," books as well as poetry.
Em remembers when she was on the road with her dance company -- how Richard, John, and actors gathered in their home after every show. She asks, "What did you guys do -- play games, do scenes, get involved with women or what?"
John says, "Well, we were drinking buddies..." and describes Richard's extraordinarily brilliant work with Elizabeth Taylor in the film "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
Posts
10 comments:
"How to Handle a Woman" still stops me in my tracks with Richard Burton's interpretation of this beautiful song from Camelot.
I have loved Richard Burton from the very first time when I saw him in Camelot. We have his recording of Under Milkwood--what a masterpiece of reading a great poem!
I wish that Burton had done more comedies. He had a deft hand at it. One need only to watch Franco Zefferelli's "The Taming of the Shrew" to acknowledge that. And not to forget his hysterical turn mocking himself on The Lucy Show. He never got an Oscar, that he probably deserved several times, but he left us with a living textbook of how it should be done in whatever medium in which we choose to work. Oh, and that VOICE!!! Cheers, Stephan
Of course you know this, but there is a marvelous biography of Burton, which incorporates extensive extracts from his journals. What an astounding writer he was! I suspect the reason he disdained acting was because he knew that he had so much more to contribute in other areas, and was frustrated that he wasn't doing so.
Marvelous to hear about Mr. Burton, I was and still am a fan of his work.
It's wonderful to hear the human side of actors and performers, thanks so much for sharing!
One of the greatest movies ever. Its exploration of human nature still scares me more than many a horror story, and both Burton and Taylor were at their best. They left it all on the film.
Thanks to both of you for giving us this view of Richard Burton & Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? I have my own fascination with all things 'Woolf'. Sandy Dennis was a teacher & a friend. Edward Albee, the writer of Woolf & I used to run into each other when he was still a young man & was a 14 year old male hustler in NYC's Greenwich Village. No, Albee was not a client, :) He was just a kindhearted brooding towering moping figure of a guy. Thank you once again. Wonderful, both of you.
EXcellent to listen to Emily´s & John´s insights on Richard Burton... Thanks for bringing us your experiences... I truly enjoy the video. Happy Easter ahead Emily.
Aquileana :)
I adored Richard Burton. The moment he appeared on stage (the first of the 2 times that I saw him ...and JC...in Camelot) I was hooked. I saw the both of you together again...Richard and JC .... in Hamlet.
Burton was one of the most powerful actors that I have ever seen. I agree that he is just phenomenal in " Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf". I think it's his very best movie, bar none.
I adored his voice. The most amazing and sexiest voice I have ever heard. I so envy you both, especially John, for your close relationship with a man that (as an actor) I held in the highest esteem and totally adored. I was madly in love with the man. If only...of well....
Post a Comment