On Elizabeth Taylor: An Opinionated Guide
Oxford University Press, 2024
ON ELIZABETH TAYLOR: AN OPINIONATED GUIDE is a complete career assessment, covering the films, television work, and theater of the colossal movie star - celebrity - businesswoman - AIDS political activist. The focus of ON ELIZABETH TAYLOR is her five-decade acting career, and the stunning charisma she brought to the screen. Taylor (1932-2011) appeared in everything from masterpieces to garbage, making her legacy complex and intriguing. I'm honored to contribute to Oxford's "Opinionated Guide" series of important artists past and present, and to explore someone who was so influential to twentieth century popular culture.
Praise for Elizabeth Taylor: An Opinionated Guide
"An entertaining, informative read that comprehensively examines the work of one of the most memorable film stars."—Library Journal (starred review)
"Immersive.... Fans of Taylor's legacy will find a treasure trove of information and opinion in this must-have filmography." —Bay Area Reporter
"Kennedy embarks on a scrupulous career overview that accounts for megahits, flops, and all manner of oddities in between... In the process, Taylor comes into view as one of the last great actors of the studio system.... those in the mood for a deep dive into the nooks and crannies of her oeuvre will be gratified. This belongs on the bookshelves of those who can't get enough of Hollywood's golden age." —Publishers Weekly
"[Kennedy's] concise, chronological biography is dedicated to delineating Taylor's entire career, including feature films, TV movies, stage productions, and countless guest appearances on TV series, talk shows, documentaries, and fundraisers. With Taylor's famous peccadilloes providing backstory content, Kennedy's reference-level filmography will delight fans and entice new converts to the Taylor bandwagon." —Booklist
"Matthew Kennedy[‘s] guide to all things Liz…. Film by film, show by show, Kennedy takes us through [her] career." —The Critic (UK)
"Finally - an in-depth consideration of Elizabeth Taylor as an actress and not just as a movie star. Matthew Kennedy's astute analysis of her work reminds us that for all her glamorous and scandalous personal life, she was every bit as fascinating and complex onscreen." —William J. Mann, author of How to be a Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood
"What shines through these pages is Matthew Kennedy's passionate fondness for Elizabeth Taylor as a screen goddess like no other. But he's also smart in assessing her triumphs and her slip-ups, proving himself to be savvy indeed about the aesthetic implications of her choices." —Beverly Gray, author of Seduced by Mrs. Robinson: How The Graduate Became the Touchstone of a Generation
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