Montgomery Clift on the set of “Red River” (1948)
He was right.
It’s his birthday today. Such a superb actor. Such an influential career … with such a tragic ending. But still. He inspired a generation.
Here’s a link to an enormous archive of quotes about him and by him that I put together. (Unfortunately, in my WordPress upgrade I lost so many photos – and I am in total denial about it.) So much good stuff there though – about his acting, his friendships, his early years, his tormented sad later years. The anecdote about what Elizabeth Taylor did when she reached the accident scene where Clift had crashed his car is one of the most moving things I’ve ever heard. Not surprising though: She was true blue.
Montgomery Clift and Marilyn Monroe in “The Misfits”
Frank Taylor, producer of The Misfits said:
Monty and Marilyn were psychic twins. They were on the same wavelength. They recognized disaster in each other’s faces and giggled about it.
Happy birthday to the luminous otherworldly gorgeous brilliant actor, the one who inspired the next generation of actors, who made James Dean possible, the one whom Marlon Brando came to see PERSONALLY after the horrifying car accident and pep-talked him along the lines of: “If you give up acting, who will I compete with now? Cut this SHIT, Monty.” And Monty did cut the shit, and went back to work.
One of the most important (if not the most) actors of his generation. Still an inspiration.
Thank you so much for stopping by. If you like what I do, and if you feel inclined to support my work, here’s a link to my Venmo account. And I’ve launched a Substack, Sheila Variations 2.0, if you’d like to subscribe.
It won’t make up for the lost photos – but here’s The Clash on Monty:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY5JfQY6BHw
Man, I love that song.
Totally forgot about it – I’m gonna add it to the birthday post next year.
/ because today is ALSO his birthday, along with Rita Hayworth and Jean Arthur. What the hell was going on astrologically that day?/
Perhaps something special because it’s 8 days before St. Crispin’s Day? Although in numerology there’s nothing artistic about the number 8 – it’s a practical, money-and-results oriented number. I couldn’t find any saints who were devotees of the arts associated with Oct. 17.
Genesis’s of Rome’s feast day is August 25. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesius_of_Rome
Maybe his birthday was Oct. 17… I can’t find a known date of birth. So, absent any evidence, I’ll make that assertion.
Damned autocorrect. Into The Cage with Lucifer it should go.
Genesius of Rome.
I remember in years past I’d post these three gigantic posts in a row – one for Hayworth, one for Clift, and one for Jean Arthur and even I would be like, “Okay, Sheila, that’s enough.”
The Heiress. Red River. From Here to Eternity. Place in the Sun. The Young Lions. The Search. I Confess. Then – post-accident – Judgment at Nuremberg (he and Judy Garland take it to some other level – it’s almost unwatchable what they bring to it) – and his brilliant performance in The Misfits.
Others of course. Suddenly Last Summer. Freud. Lonelyhearts.
A short career – a very sad life – but my God, what a gift.
So gratified to see the GIF from “The Heiress.” Every time I watch that movie I pick up on something I hadn’t noticed before.
Amy – ha! I was curious so I googled “Montgomery Clift gif” and that was one of them!
We were just talking about The Heiress over on Twitter a bit – I feel the same way – it always presents something new each time.
The last time I watched it I became obsessed with Miriam Hopkins … maybe because I had just read Henry James’ book again – and realized just how much Hopkins was tapped into that character that was on the page. The kind of silly bored widow – with romantic notions – who whips other people up into a frenzy – and she’s TOTALLY well-meaning. She’s not sinister. Boy is that a good performance.
I love the scene where Morris hangs out at the house with Miriam Hopkins while father and daughter are in Europe. It’s almost chilling: his insolent manner, so different from the upright “good boy” thing he was doing for the benefit of Dad. Now he’s lolling against the mantle, helping himself to alcohol, etc.
But it’s so SUBTLE how Clift is doing it – or – it’s totally clear but also extremely subtle. For me, it’s in that posture – the totally casual posture against that mantle that always puts a chill in my heart.
What a grifter, what a manipulator, what a USER.
He’s so so good.
Also, he’s just so damn different in The Heiress than in Red River. (I mean, he was different in everything – but to come right out of the gate with that sort of range in early films … he was a phenom. )
Not exactly the right place to put this, but I wanted to wish you happy birthday on your blog! Tomorrow’s the big day. Here’s to ten years of phenomenal writing and great insight, a true gift to the world. Brava, dear! Xxxx stevie
You are amazing for remembering.
What is it 13 years now? How is that possible??
xoxo
Happy Blog Birthday!!!!!!! In honor of the occasion, I see that Ralph Macchio has dropped his autobiography! XOXO love you so much Stevie
NO. WAY. I hadn’t heard!!!
as always, I love you for remembering!! anniversary post going up a little bit later.
20 years, stevie. how … why … what on earth …
the fact that my two pubescent-era crushes – Ralph Macchio and John Stamos – are coming out with autobiographies in the same year – lets me know how old I am, but also makes me very happy – and I can’t wait to read them!
How am I not surprised that Clift was a Libra? :)
I didn’t realize just how young he was when he filmed Red River-just 18 and to already have that talent and presence and skills and maturity… I loved all those quotes from the quote page-and of course the special bond between Elizabeth Taylor (Bessie May) and Clift, but I think the one I’m drawn to the most right now- is Nancy Walker’s ” Monty and I never played roles with each other, or let’s say, hardly ever – and we didnt’ wear masks. Speaking of masks, I used to tell Monty if you hadn’t been in the car crash you’d just be another aging pretty face. I liked his face better after the accident: his strength shone through….”
Speaking of writings on Montgomery Clift… It was published about a decade ago, but I just read the excerpt and it’s really fascinating look at Clift, his legacy and interpretations of his performances and meanings: “The Passion of Montgomery Clift” by Amy Lawrence.
I wonder if Clift would have gone into directing or become an acting coach or other behind the scenes positions if he had lived longer and stayed in the business?