Feline Charms of Maggie the Cat

By Marina Rybak

“ She steps out of her dress, stands in a slip of ivory satin and lace.”

~Tennessee Williams. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 

More than fifty years ago Elizabeth Taylor set ablaze the big screen as the scorching-hot Maggie the Cat in the film adaptation of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Pulitzer prize-winning drama by Tennessee Williams. The moment Elizabeth stripped down to her slip and stepped into our lives, swaying, smoldering around the bedpost and pleading for love, we fell under her spell. The iconic image is unforgettable.

The film was made in color just to showcase her rare lavender eyes against Paul Newman’s stunning baby blues. At the time due to the censorship, the film steered clear of the real heart of the original play.  Yet it was a box office smash and earned numerous Academy Award nominations. It was a break out film for both Elizabeth Taylor and her co-star Paul Newman, propelling them to mega stardom.

Maggie the Cat seemed to have more than nine lives over the years and many stars of the day left a slip trail behind, flaunting their curves in various adaptations of the play – Natalie Wood, Jessica Lange, Kathleen Turner, Ashley Judd, Anika Noni Rose.Fiery Elizabeth Ashley was a real Cat’s meow in her Tony nominated performance in 1974. She made sure that every man in the audience was seduced by her portrayal of Maggie Pollitt and surrendered to her southern charms.

Well, once again “Maggie the Cat is alive!”  Lovely Scarlett Johansson is slipping into a coveted, sizzling role of a determined feline charmer in the upcoming Broadway revival on December 18 at the Richard Rodgers Theater. And I am certain the sultry slip will live as well and like Maggie the Cat will remain victorious “just stayin’ on… “