In this colorized photo from 1948, a 16-year-old Elizabeth Taylor poses wearing a sweater given to her by her boyfriend Glenn Davis, who then was one of the best college football players in the country.
Image colorized by Steve Foster
In the late 1940s, Elizbeth Taylor began outgrowing her modestly successful acting career as a youth and blossomed into one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. Conversely, Glenn Davis, Heisman winning stand-out running back for Army, languished serving in the military as his athletic prime slipped away. Taylor monopolized all media attention when she and Richard Burton began an illicit affair on the set of Cleopatra. Nicknamed "Liz and Dick" by tabloids, they scooped “Brangelina” by more than 40 years. Davis never got the opportunity to capitalize on his physical gifts like similarly duty-bound David Robinson in 1988. The two storylines with echoes in the present resulted in vastly different endings.
Elizabeth Taylor A.K.A Kitten
Taylor became such an icon MGM paid for her wedding with Hilton Conrad Jr. Source: IMDB
Born from socialite parents, Taylor’s career adversity boiled down to Universal dropping her contract after one year at the age of 11. Quickly, MGM stepped in and turned her into a teen star with her role in “National Velvet.” Flashing her famous eyelashes, Taylor became a guaranteed box office hit after “Father of the Bride” and “A Place in the Sun.”
Woman Of The ‘50s
Taylor had a genetic mutation known as lymphedema-distichiassyndrome which gives the person twice as many eyelashes than normal.
In the face of mounting success, Taylor still felt disenfranchised with the potential roles sent her way. She also bucked at the traditional power dynamic between show business executives. In the ‘50s that changed after her movies, “Giant,” “Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” and “Suddenly, Last Summer.” Even though she won the Oscar portraying a call girl in Butterfield 8, she disliked the role. In the baby boom decade, Taylor’s stardom grew to the point that she graced the covers of LIFE Magazine only second to Princess Diana.
Glenn Davis, A.K.A Mr. Outside
Davis in action against Navy. (ThisWeekinSportsHistory)
After a prodigious high school career in Southern California, Davis and his twin brother originally planned to attend USC. However, after their U.S Representative agreed to sponsor their appointment to West Point, they agreed to play for the Black Knights.
Big Man On Campus
Davis achieved the highest score ever attained on Army's physical proficiency test.
Starting in 1944, Davis averaged 8.3 yards per carry for his career and never lost a game in three years at Army. Back then freshmen didn’t play varsity. He was also consensus All-American for three years and won the Heisman in 1946. After graduation Davis received a contract with a $75,000 signing bonus from the Brooklyn Dodgers. Unfortunately, he was forced to decline due to his three-year military obligation to the Army.
Liz and Dick
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in 'Cleopatra.' Source: IMDB
In ‘61, on the set of “Cleopatra,” Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton started an extramarital affair that became headline news. Cleopatra took over two years to film and ran for over four hours. Taylor made a million dollars for her role, making her the first woman to garner such a paycheck. The backlash over their affair was substantial.
A Georgia congresswoman pushed the Attorney General to bar their return into the country due to the scandal. The Vatican printed an open letter, rebuking them for their “erotic vagrancy.” In defiance of public outroar, Taylor and Burton continue their relationship. As she publicly said, "Eddie is not in love with Debbie (Fisher) and never has been. You can't break up a happy marriage. Debbie and Eddie's never has been." The Hollywood power couple got married and divorced... twice. Apparently, if Burton hadn’t died in ‘84, Taylor would have married him again. The award-winning actress considered Burton and Mike Todd the loves of her life.
Davis Denied
Davis accepting the Heisman trophy. (HeismanTrophy)
Even though Davis began his three year service obligation in ‘47, the Detroit Lions selected him with the second overall pick in that year’s draft. Naturally, he applied to resign his commission and play pro football but the Secretary of the Army, Kenneth Royal refused. Davis was also denied any extended furloughs or accommodations that allowed him to play professionally. The public sentiment at the time was that after the expense of his West Point education, he should not just leave for football.
Unlucky In Service
Davis might have been the greatest all-around athlete in West Point history. A star center fielder on the baseball team, an outstanding sprinter, and he played basketball added to his impressive football resumé
A similar situation occurred with David Robinson in 1988. In that scenario, the Navy cut his obligation from five years to two. Part of that decision did come down to Robinson growing to seven foot one from his enlistment height of six foot seven. It’s difficult to serve on ships at that height. The Army did allow Davis to earn $25,000 (adjusted for inflation just shy of $300,000) by appearing in the low-budget movie Spirit of West Point.
Tragically, he tore a ligament in his right knee while filming. Despite the injury and his relatively diminutive size, 5 foot 9 inches, 170 pounds, Davis earned a pro bowl invitation in ‘51. Sadly, he reinjured his knee and never played football again. In one serendipitous act of fate, Davis and Elizabeth Taylor briefly dated while he enjoyed leave from the Army in ‘48.
The photo at the top of this story was colorized by Steve Foster; you can see more of his work at his Flickr page.
