Cary Grant: A Biography

By: Marc Eliot

Narrated by: Marc Eliot

Bringing up Baby. The Philadelphia Story. North by Northwest. An Affair to Remember. When Cary Grant passed away at age 82, fans from every generation mourned. Nearly 20 years later his star shines just as brightly from television and revival-house screens; his name remains synonymous with effortless charm. But perhaps the most remarkable fact about Grant, as renowned biographer Marc Eliot shows, is that his personal life was every bit as interesting and dramatic as that of any character he ever played. The new details Eliot has uncovered—on everything from the former Archibald Leach’s troubled childhood to his ambiguous sexuality to his dabbling with LSD—will satisfy even the fan who has read everything previously available. Equally compelling is Eliot's incisive exploration of the magical amalgam of talent, looks, and charisma that made Grant a star.

Loved it.

Fascinating. Great detail. Well written and very well read. I enjoyed every minute and didn’t want it to end.

Creating Cary Grant

As a film critic who has spent the last two decades interviewing movie stars and directors for a PBS stations in Philadelphia, I've often been asked which star I most regret NOT interviewing. That is "Cary Grant". Perhaps the best thing I can say about this detailed, well-written, and insightful book is that I feel I've gotten to know the man who became the man we all wanted to be by listening to this fascinating tale. Some people would prefer that this charming, talented man be the perfect person offscreen as he was onscreen and at public appearances. I prefer to respect the accomplishment of "becoming Cary Grant" that the real person managed through much effort and agony. This recording is over 15 hours long, and I devoured it in 5 and 6 hour stretches within a couple of days of beginning it.

Compelling and very well researched and written

How is the fan of Cary Grandson really thought there was little lit about which I did not already know. What a surprise this book was. His long relationship with his male friend Randolph Scott was astonishing to me. I did not read about it once in the local papers. The care and the detail with which this book is written is compelling and, at times, is riveting. I strongly urge you to read this book if you have a significant compelling or even mild interest in the movies and the greatest male star of his era.

Fascinating and thought provoking biography

Mark Eliot's wonderfully moving biography of the legendary actor will not disappoint Cary's fans, or readers looking for a frankly honest portrait of the man. Grant was complicated and all to human, but ultimately emerges as a dignified and thoughtful man.

Interesting

This was full of interesting facts but added to much back story and would loose track.