April 26, 2016 at 10:51 AM PDT

Celebrating Elizabeth Taylor

Two Taylor Classics Come to Blu-ray

It’s been five years now since we lost Elizabeth Taylor in 2011, but like all great legends she’ll never be truly gone. And thanks to Warner Home Video and the Warner Archive Collection, two of Taylor's most successful films are being released for the first time on Blu-ray next month: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (May 3) and Father of the Bride (May 10).

To celebrate these Blu-ray debuts, we’ve pulled together some memorable images and trivia to whet your hi-def appetite.

Father of the Bride

In this 1950 comedy, Spencer Tracy plays the father of the 18-year-old Taylor, who was already appearing in her 14th film! Father of the Bride was a major box office hit and received three Academy Award nominations, including “Best Picture,” “Best Screenplay” and a “Best Actor” nod for Tracy.

elizabeth taylor in father of the bride on bluray — In a case of life reflecting art, the 18-year-old Taylor was married in real-life to Conrad Hilton Jr. (heir to the Hilton Hotels chain) only weeks before the premiere of Father of the Bride, which made great fodder for the PR Machine. The first of her eight marriages didn’t last long however, ending less than a year later.

spencer tracy joan bennett elizabeth taylor don taylor in father of the bride bluray — The fictional wedding date in the movie, June 10, was chosen by director Vincente Minnelli because it was the birthday of his wife, Judy Garland. Sadly, June 10 would also turn out to be the day Spencer Tracy died in 1967.

spencer tracy joan bennett elizabeth taylor in father of the bride bluray — In a strange Hollywood twist, Taylor and Joan Bennett (center), who plays Taylor’s mother in the film, both played the role of “Amy” on film in Little Women. Bennett in the 1933 version and Taylor in the 1949 version.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

This controversial 1966 film resulted in Taylor winning her second “Best Actress” Academy Award (she also won for her performance in 1960’s Butterfield 8). Shedding the glamorous image she was known for, the then 33-year-old actress stunned audiences with her intentionally unglamorous and crazed portrayal of a 57-year-old alcoholic married to her real-life husband, Richard Burton.

One of only two films to have ever received Oscar nominations in every single category it was eligible for (including one for each of the four actors), Virginia Woolf remains one of Hollywood’s most riveting films. Because of the language and subject matter, the MPAA gave the movie a special tagline: “No one under 18 will be admitted unless accompanied by a parent or guardian” (this being a few years before the now famous rating system existed). While much tamer by today’s standards, this is still a brilliant case of capturing unsettling perfection as guided by first-time director Mike Nichols. Still a must-see 50 years since it first hit the big screen.

Audiences were shocked by Taylor's appearance in the film as she gained 30 pounds for the role, using wigs and aging make-up to play the 57-year-old character, Martha.

richard burton elizabeth taylor who's afraid of virginia woolf bluray — As the shrill, alcoholic Martha, Taylor called her *Virginia Woolf* performance the best of her career, and critics agreed.

elizabeth taylor in who's afraid of virginia woolf bluray — Shot entirely in black-and-white (and the most expensive such film made at the time), here's a rare color photo from the set taken during the controversial roadhouse scene.

richard burton elizabeth taylor george segal sandy dennis who's afraid of virginia woolf bluray — All four actors in the film—Richard Burton, Taylor, George Segal and Sandy Dennis—all received Oscar nominations for their work, with the two women each bringing the gold guy home.

director mike nichols cinematographer Haskell Wexler Elizabeth Taylor Richard Burton Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf bluray — This was the fourth of 11 movies that Burton and Taylor appeared in together. In this great behind the scenes pic, you can also see director Mike Nichols (far left) and cinematographer Haskell Wexler.

Enjoy watching Taylor's acting brilliance in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in this original theatrical trailer:

And be sure to also check out these other classic Elizabeth Taylor films on our site:

Lassie Come Home (1943)

National Velvet (1944)

Courage of Lassie (1946)

Little Women (1949)

Ivanhoe (1952)

Giant (1956)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

Butterfield 8 (1960)