Liz Smith: Remembering Farley Granger
by LIZ SMITH on APRIL 1, 2011
SOMETIMES the synchronicity of life is amazing and sometimes it gives a fateful result. About two weeks ago I was in the theater restaurant Orso, having a late supper with Whoopi Goldberg, Cynthia McFadden and Bette Midler. (We were giddy having just seen the musical of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” which Bette has co-produced.)
As we exited, I glimpsed a good-looking grey-haired man at the table nearby. It turned out to be the big star Farley Granger who was there with friends. “Liz! Liz!” he signaled and we had a brief kissy reunion because he has always been a pet pal of mine. And vice versa.
Farley was always the most beautiful man in movies and I won’t cite his credits but if you saw the classic black and white Hitchcock film “Strangers On Train” ”“ well, you know what I mean. I forever admired Farley, who deserted movies before they deserted him and came back to work in theater, where he spent his mature years. Even in old age he remained handsomely attractive and special ”“ sweet and friendly.
We made a pact as we kissed goodbye to “get together” soon – and now that date can’t be kept as Farley died only days after, at age 85. Maybe he and his slightly younger contemporary, Elizabeth Taylor, are having a reunion elsewhere. I hope so for they were two of the most gorgeous souls ever born ”“ and very nice, generous humans in the bargain.
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