Heartfelt bond with noir actress Lizabeth Scott colors Todd Hughes’ compelling memoir
A smoky, sultry voice. Shadows falling upon the hypnotic face of a mysterious female. A perfect sideways glance.
Hello, Lizabeth Scott.
The stellar yet perhaps lesser-known film noir actress certainly knew how to light up the screen. So much so that local writer/documentary producer Todd Hughes took notice and wound up creating his own personal story with Scott herself.
Their captivating tale is wonderfully chronicled in Hughes’ memoir “Lunch With Lizabeth.”
The book — penned with lyrical prose — delves into Hughes’ love for Hollywood, noting, among other things, how stunned he was to come upon Lauren Bacall on a film set when he was just 14. Beyond Hughes’ personal backstory, readers learn more about the unique bond he shared with Scott, whom he eventually “lunched” with at Musso & Frank in Hollywood, long after her star had dimmed.
“I always loved books that captured somebody who was in the film industry,” Hughes said. “Lizabeth just slipped through the cracks. Her fame wasn’t really chronicled. I’d been hoping she would collaborate with me on an autobiography, but we just never got to that.
“She never felt worthy of getting out a book like that,” he said. “When she died, I wanted to do something to keep her legacy going. Then I realized that our story was interesting, too. Lizabeth had a relatively brief career. I didn't write a book about her career, per se — more about our relationship.”
In her 1940s heyday, Scott was considered film noir royalty. She debuted in 1945’s comedy-drama "You Came Along" before making a significant dent in other films, such as "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers," "Desert Fury," "I Walk Alone" and "Dead Reckoning" with Humphrey Bogart.
Scott later stared alongside Elvis Presley in "Loving You" in 1957. She made more than 20 films and lived in relative seclusion until her death in 2015.
“What really stood out about her was her joi de vivre and enthusiasm for life. It was truly incredible," Hughes said. "Here was this woman who basically never married. She lived on her own until she died. She loved to get up in the morning, loved to do new things, and meet new people. You don't meet people like that very often. I talk in the book about the pressures [of show business] but Lizabeth was such a happy person, beyond just being a movie star."
The duo’s solid bond and, in turn, their endearing friendship, spanned 20 years. In the memoir, Hughes details Scott’s noteworthy yet brief career as an actress, recording artist and — what’s this? — mistress to a top Hollywood producer?
A page-turner it is.
Hughes effectively captures their bond with occasional eyebrow-raisers, particularly over politics, art and homosexuality. Regardless, their heartfelt connection sends them flowing into 21st century.
“Lizabeth convinced me that fate was real, and that destiny can happen if you really want it,” Hughes said of the life lessons Scott imparted. “She was very self-realized. I admired her independence. She really didn’t need anybody’s approval. She truly followed her heart.”
Hughes’s first impression of Scott happened when he attended the Festival Humphrey Bogart.
“I arrived in time to see the glittering Columbia Pictures logo in a crisp, pristine thirty-five millimeter print: Humphrey Bogart and Lizabeth Scott, both equally billed before the title in John Cromwell’s 'Dead Reckoning,'” he wrote. “I had heard of the blacklisted Cromwell, but the name Lizabeth Scott eluded me until now. The letters of it caught my eye. It appeared both glamorous and confident.
"Twenty minutes into the fast paced and convoluted set-up of the film, I almost forgot my initial curiosity about who this top- billed actress Lizabeth Scott was.
“And then the voice ... She had not even appeared onscreen, and she had Bogart’s attention and mine. And then, the greatest movie star introduction of all time. The camera begins on the manicured feet of open-toed shoes of the as-yet-unseen mystery woman.”
And so it went. Hughes was taken in.
It all filtered into his creative toolbox. He’d majored in literature at Columbia University before solidifying his bond with future husband, filmmaker P. David Ebersole. Their joint creativity sparked a series of acclaimed documentaries: "Dear Mom, Love Cher;" "Mansfield 66/67;" "My Name is Lopez;" and "House of Cardin," among others.
Over the years, the duo has split their time between L.A. and Palm Springs.
“Moving to Palm Springs, you discover a very different mindset,” Hughes said. “Everyone is very secure with themselves, very positive. Palm Springs always gives me the freedom to say what I want and to do what I want. And to be creative all the time. I’ve met so many amazing people — happy people who help introduce you to somebody — then you start hearing about all these things going on. Almost everyone's done something here. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
When asked how long it took him to pen the memoir, Hughes quipped: “My entire life.” He laughed, quickly adding that one of the perks of the pandemic was extra time for his creative pursuits.
Ultimately — culling from Hughes’ own words — “fate” stepped in and helped give birth to a compelling if not rare story about friendship between a fan and a movie star.
“What I’d love for people to take away from the book is that you really shouldn’t be afraid of pursuing people who have changed your life, because for the most part, they want to know,” Hughes said. “Like Lizabeth, I’d love for people to follow their hearts. If you love something, explore it. And see what happens.”
Learn more about Todd Hughes at ebersolehughes.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 'Lunch With Lizbeth' details author's 20-year friendship with actress
