AP Film Studies: Taylor-Made

Liz Taylor's Portland granddaughter keeps her legacy alive.

LITTLE WOMAN: A young Liz Taylor in National Velvet.
By AP KRYZA

But to Portland graphic designer Laela Wilding, Liz Taylor was something much bigger: Grandma. Wilding, 43, a lifelong Portlander and one of Taylor’s 10 grandchildren, is celebrating what would have been the actress’s 83rd birthday on Saturday with a screening of the her breakout film, 1944’s kid-friendly equine drama, National Velvet. All of the profits go to the Cascade AIDS Project’s Camp KC and Our House of Portland’s veterinary program. Wilding chatted with AP Film Studies about growing up with Hollywood royalty and keeping her grandmother’s legacy alive. 

AP: Why did you decide to start these yearly screenings?

Laela Wilding: After my grandmother passed away [in 2011], it was getting near her birthday, and I missed her. I wanted to honor her in a better way than just thinking of her at home. I thought it would be an opportunity to share her in a more personal way with my community in Portland.


Why did you choose National Velvet this year?

I have an 11-year-old daughter who is really connected to the spirit of the event. I wanted to show one of the few family-friendly movies while my child is still young so she can invite her friends.


It's funny that not all of the movies from this era aren't considered family films. 

We showed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and I felt like we had to give it a caveat. It's not a kids' film. The highballs are clinking on the big screen and everything. Probably more than anything it might have been boring for kids…"oh, the adults are talking"


What's your favorite of your grandmother's films?

Last year we showed A Place in the Sun. It's an excellent piece of artwork. It's a great story that's still relevant to our times. And next year, I plan to show Giant. It's so long, but it's so great.


Were you always aware of your grandmother's fame?

There was no point where it wasn't part of the story. She'd been a huge movie star for decades before I came along. When we would spend time together, we would just spend time at home. We'd eat food and talk about boys and watch movies in bed.


Why is it important for you to carry on the legacy of activism?

The values that underlie her passion for [philanthropy] are my values. I really want people to be inspired by her level of activism. I would love to live in a world where everybody had that integrity, where we were all looking out for each other and sometimes doing something that's a little uncomfortable to help somebody else.

The Elizabeth Taylor birthday celebration begins Saturday, Feb. 28, at 2 pm at the Hollywood Theatre. Admission is $15. Advance tickets are strongly recommended. See hollywoodtheatre.org for details.


Also Showing: 

  1. A person is punched with such force that the assailant’s hand goes through the victim’s head in Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight. Hollywood Theatre. 9:30 pm Thursday, Feb. 26.
  1. Long overlooked, 1971’s A Touch of Zen pioneered the high-flying, mythical martial arts aesthetic later popularized by films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. 5th Avenue Cinema. 7:30 pm Friday, Feb. 27.
  1. Anyone decrying the culture of remakes should consider that 1941’s The Maltese Falcon was, in fact, a remake of a film released a mere 10 years earlier. Academy Theater. Feb. 27-March 5.
  1. John Carpenter’s The Thing stands as one of the best modern horror films of all time. Hollywood Theatre. 7 pm Saturday, Feb. 28.
  1. Larry Coen’s 1976 schlockfest God Told Me To imagines a world where people go on random killing sprees at God’s behest. Hollywood Theatre. 9:30 pm Saturday, Feb. 28.

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