Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues

Elizabeth was one of a handful of luminaries interviewed for the 1988 documentary, Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues. “Michael grew up watching stars like Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Fred Astaire, and Gene Kelly,” James Earl Jones says in the documentary’s narration. “Their strengths and talents gave Michael a path to follow.”

“They inspire him with their artistry,” choreographer Hermes Pan (who worked on Cleopatra) explains. He adds that “an artist is always inspired by another good artist.”

Elizabeth, who was interviewed at her home on Nimes Road, says of Michael: “I have absolute faith and trust in Michael’s abilities. I think they’re much larger than anyone has dreamt of. I think he’s going to be one of the great superstars of all time.” Later, she says: “I think Michael appeals to the child in all of us, and I think he has the quality of innocence that we would all like to obtain or have kept.”

“I think Michael is like litmus paper, he’s always trying to learn, and he’s so intelligent. He’s alarmingly bright. He’s very curious and he wants to draw from people who have survived, people who have lasted. He wants to find out what it is that staying power [is], because Michael is going to be a stayer.”

The documentary, which was executive produced by Jackson, also includes special guest appearances by Dick Clark, Sammy Davis Jr., Suzanne de Passe, Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Jackson, Quincy Jones, Gene Kelly, Cyndi Lauper, Sean Lennon, Sophia Loren, Yoko Ono, Smokey Robinson, and Martin Scorsese.