Cary Grant: A Biography Book

He is Hollywood's most fascinating & timeless star. Although he came to personify the debonair American, Cary Grant was born Archibald Leach in 1904, in the seaport village of Bristol, England. Combining the captivating beauty of silent-screen legend Rudolph Valentino with the masculine irresistibility of Clark Gable, Grant emerged as Hollywood's quintessential leading man. Today, "the man from dream city," as a critic once described him, remains forever young, an icon of quick wit, romantic charm, and urbane sophistication, the epitome of male perfection. Yet beneath this idealized movie image was a conflicted man struggling to balance fame with a desire for a private life. Exploring Grant's troubled childhood, ambiguous sexuality and lifelong insecurities as well as the magical amalgam of characteristics that allowed him to remain Hollywood's favorite romantic lead for more than 35 years, Cary Grant is the definitive examination of every aspect of Grant's professional and private life, and the first to reveal the man behind the star. Working with the most talented directors of his time, Grant starred in an astonishing 72 films. The camera loved Grant, his magnetism helped illuminate his leading ladies: Mae West, Irene Dunne, Katharine Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, and Sophia Loren, among others. Yet, because of his pioneering role as an independent player, Grant was repeatedly denied the Oscar he coveted-a snub from the Academy that lasted til 1970, when he accepted a lifetime achievement award. Grant's sparkling image on screen his a tumultuous personal life he tried to keep private, including his 11 year relationship with Randolph Scott, 5 marriages and numerous affairs. Well researched and elegantly written this must read is a complete portrait of the great Hollywood star ever.Read More