August 5th would have been Robert Taylor’s 105th Birthday. His career spanned 4 decades and he was one of the most loved and respected men in Hollywood. Mr. Taylor was also one of the most professional, putting up with all the non glamorous aspects of the movie business with good grace. For instance, an actor must go through endless wardrobe changes for a film and model each one. As an affectionate remembrance, here are photos of Mr. Taylor modeling some of his wardrobe for Quo Vadis.
In most of the photos, Robert Taylor looks bored out of his mind. He had at least 16 costume changes for the film, most of which involved heavy armor. Given the heat and humidity in Rome during the summer and the lack of air conditioning he must have been miserable.
Quo Vadis was the largest MGM project to date. It was filmed in postwar Italy and provided employment for thousands of people. The cost was $7 million. After considering others, the man they trusted to star in it as Marcus Vinicius was Robert Taylor. That says a lot.
Right: looking aggravated.
Left: looking tired. Right: The caption read “wardrobe test before make-up.”
Checking out his costumes.
Here is an upcoming event to celebrate Mr. Taylor and fellow Nebraska native Janet Shaw.
Robert Taylor Actor 
Aww man! Yup – that’s the event I would so long to go to. Had I been a very rebellious child, I would thwart my health and get up out of bed, fight this sickness, knock it in the jaw and drive down to Beatrice Nebraska, it would be at least a two day’s drive from where i am. And this only happens once a year on his birthday, and my birthday is September 4th only one month from now and a couple of weeks from the time of this event. I am so miffed with my folks, though I know they only want what’s best for me.
On another note, I LOVED this birthday article. I have not seen these rare photographs of his posing for costume-changes as Marcus Vinicius. Marcus is the character closest to my heart that he portrays, I think really because that was the one Taylor film we always had on VHS, so growing up with him as Marcus is close-to-home, as it were. I am thankful to my father for, even if only indirectly, introducing me to who Robert Taylor really was over two months ago, because I have now been inspired to write several original piano pieces based off of Robert Taylor’s piano playing films and also some lyrics pieces inspired from his various roles, including Vinicius, Billy the Kid and Spangler Arlington Brugh himself!
Thank you again, Judith. Enjoy this day.
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You’re very welcome. My birthday is Sept. 8. I always thought we Sept. people were superior.
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Oh gee! Really? We were born four days apart- and several years I suppose. 🙂
Yes, we are indeed.
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I have no doubt the Robert Taylor event in Beatrice this month will be very well received, but I also believe i could not possibly come close to the event I attended in 2011. It was and remains a treasured memory and I am so blessed that fate determined that I was able to make my first solo OS trip to be there. You would have loved it Judith.
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Makes sense that it would have been magnificent- considering it was the 100th anniversary. Do admit, I am sad that I was so late in discovering this wonderful man, though I would have been living in Sweden at the time and would have been all the more bereft to miss it.
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Hi, June, I know I could have loved it, especially meeting Tessa and Terry. I appreciate the things you sent me from that time. Unfortunately I can’t make this time either, darn it. But I’m just happy that people want to do an event like this. Judith
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Yes Judith, must say meeting Terry and Tessa was a bit surreal to me, actually meeting his family.Tessa impressed me so much, such a delightful person with the same unique qualities which made her father so special, a person who I would have loved to have known better.
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You. Met. Tessa. and Terry. That MUST have been surreal. I don’t know if my heart could handle the excitement. That is thrilling. Golly I’m pea-green. But also happy that you got to experience that as a true Bobby Taylor fan.
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At least you’ve discovered him now and have all the fun of seeing his films. Thanks for writing.
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I think Robert Taylor is the most fine man of the world. Sorry for m
y bad English!
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He was very fine indeed. Thanks for writing.
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I like to make portraits of Bob Taylor. Can I to put any here? Thanks|
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I could put a link to your portraits here. Just send it to me.
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I need your email for send you the portraits of Taylor.
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Thanks!
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How can I
send to you the portrait?
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I can send you three portraits of Bob Taylor, but I need your email. Thanks.
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Say, apologise for cutting in here, but I am awfully curious about these “portraits” of Mr Taylor. Is there a way I may be privy to them as well?
Thanks,
Alexandra
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Thanks. I like Robert Taylor and I draw him. He is my ideal man. Robert Taylor ispired me also for a love romance that I wrote.
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Oh you sound like a terrific human being! I would really like to read this romance of yours and see your drawings. My blog-site is utterly dedicated to him, I have the same taste in men as you. (Or at least in “man”)
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Marta, my e-mail is judithh@hiraethcelticgoods.com. I look forward to seeing the portraits. Judith
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Thanks. Now, I send you my portraits!
Fulvia.
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Hello Judith! Thanks for the new photos of Robert Taylor as Vinicius. Great, that will be celebration in the hometown of Robert in conjunction with 105th anniversary! I am Russian fan of Robert Taylor. I am an artist and paint portraits of Robert Taylor. Many of my compatriots remember Robert and his films (“Camille”,”Waterloo bridge”). In my videoteca 50 films of Robert Taylor. The Birthday of Robert (5.08) i show his portraits and movies on the sites “Facebook” and “Classmates.Ru” and from around the world come the comments about memory and love for Robert Taylor. How to show You my drawings “Robert Taylor”? Sincerely. Lina.
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I should like you could read my romance, but it is wrtitten in language Italian, beacause I am Italian. Do you understand Italian ? In my romance, Robert Taylor is not a actor, but a director , which to fall in love with a italian girl. What is your blog-site?
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Ooh I love Italian! Though I don’t speak it very well. I visited Rome one summer, far too long ago, I wish to go back. Want to go to Venice, or Florence or Everywhere in Italia! Whereabouts are you from?
My blog site is: https://fanwritings.wordpress.com/
Thanks! I would love to read your romance novella!
Alexandra
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I also have a youtube channel filled with tribute music video edits, dedicated to none other than Bob Taylor himself! P.S. you seem to write or speak very good English, you are fluent, yes?
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I live in Rome with my family and a dog (a great Italian Bracco ).Are you su facebook? I should send you my romance with message of facebook or with we-transfer. I should like also send you my portraits of Mr.Taylor.
How can I send you the text of my romance if I have not your e-mail? Here, it is not publishable.
Thanks for your blog site, now I shall go to see it.
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I want to write now a romance with Mr Taylor like protaginist in his true life, but I shall change the names and others details. In this romance, he will realty a actor of Hollywood of years thirty. Then, for illustrate it, I shall draw others portraits of him. Best regards, Fulvia.
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I should like to know better Enghish. I understand it, but I don’t able to understand the quick spoken.
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Hello Fulvia! My Name is Lina. Robert Taylor is my idol. He is the most beautiful man and actor. I also draw portraits by Robert Taylor. Sow me Your portraits by Robert. My email -Myra4019@gmail.com. Iet me know Your email. Nice to meet You! Sincerely Lina.
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Hello Fulvia! My name is Lina. Robert Taylor is my idol. He is most beautiful man and actor! I also draw portraits by Robert Taylor. Show me Your portraits by Robert. My email – myra4019@gmail.com. Iet me know Your email. Nice to meet You! Sincerely Lina.
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You are decent at English! 🙂 I think you definitely should tackle this new romance idea you have. You can reach my email: roshanstewart@gmail.com. I would adore to see portraits of him you have drawn etc. and Definitely long to read your book! (I will translate it if need be) Italian is a beautiful language, with a long history. Italian Braccos are gorgeous animals! Sounds lovely. I am on Facebook as well.
Thanks!
Alexandra
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I should like you would translate in language English my romance. It is very long!
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Yes I will do my utmost to perform this task:)
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Hello, Alexandra! My name is Lina Volotskova. I am fan of Robert Taylor. I am an artist and paint portraits of Robert Taylor and i can send You. Sincerely Lina.
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Thanks. I saw your sito-blog. It is very nice. I should like you would put my portraits of Robert Taylor on your sito blog. You send me address for facebook.
Hi, Fulvia.
P.S. Now I send you portraits with e-mail. You can to see its on message email. Thanks.
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I will Marta! I will write a whole article in your honor. Dedicated to your artwork of this marvelous man.
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Hello! My name is Lina. I am Russian fan of Robert Taylor. I paint portraits of Robert and i can send You. Let Your email (Facebook).Sincerely Lina.
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Hi, Lina. You can send your portraits to judithh@hiraethcelticgoods.com. Judith
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Hi, Judith! Well! Thank You!
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I sent You,Judith 3 portraits of Robert. Did You get them? I’ll send his portraits. My email -myra4019@gmail/com
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Thank you! I should like this. I feel honoured by your coutesy.
My best wishes,
Marta.
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Hello Judith! You got my letter with portraits of Robert Taylor? Sincerely Lina.
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