Rating: 
Summary: And Afternoons with Cary Grant
Review: When I was in high school, my best friend Susan and I relished old movies. A particular TV station always had wonderful classic movies on Sunday afternoons. Our favorites were always the movies that featured Cary Grant. We happily munched our potato chips and moved to Hollywood for a few hours.The author tells us in the beginning of the book that this is not a biography. It's more of a tribute to Cary Grant. The book skips around through the years and not always in chronological order. The author does give us Grant's background, growing up in England, and the sad story of his mother. She was committed to a sanitarium after she suffered a nervous breakdown when Grant was 8 years old, and he did not see her again for more than 20 years. He believed that she had died and did not know until he received a letter from her in 1937 that she was still alive. Grant made dozens of films with some of the most beautiful leading ladies in Hollywood. Always a gentleman, Cary would never say which one was his favorite actress. He retired from films when he was 62. He felt that he was too old to be cast as the romantic lead which was always his forte.
Nancy Nelson approached Grant in 1981. She asked him to consider doing some unrehearsed appearances in front of audiences where he would answer questions about himself and his movies. It took her some time to convince him to do it, but it finally came about in a one-man show called A Conversation With Cary Grant. Grant made 36 public appearances from 1982 until his death in 1986 at the age of 82. This book highlights Grant's own words in discussing dozens of topics. It's also filled with insightful quotations from Grant's famous friends. Most of us seem to remember Grant saying: Judy, Judy, Judy, but Grant never said that in a film and there are various explanations about where it came from. One version, was that in a night club show, comedian Larry Storch was doing an impersonation of Cary Grant. During that part of his show Judy Garland walked in and Storch imitating Cary Grant, said "Judy, Judy, Judy." Grant's friends saw him as a generous and caring person. If you liked Cary Grant, you'll enjoy this book which gives fascinating recollections of his life. For instance, he loved the telephone, generally answered it himself and was famous for making calls to people who would not believe it was really Grant and hanging up on him. He also wrote articulate letters which he usually signed, with "Happy thoughts!" Happy thoughts to you too, Cary from one Judy.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, heart-warming collection of vignettes about Mr. G
Review: With that handsome face, million-dollar smile, impeccable taste in suits, and debonair yet witty demeanor, Cary Grant is one of the most famous Hollywood stars of the 20th century. This book is not exactly a biography, but a collection of stories that are part biography, part homage, and above all, an expression of heartfelt love towards the man from the people in his life. The stories are inspired by a series of Conversations with Cary Grant that were a one-man evening show where Mr. Grant essentially held a two hour QA session for an enthralled audience. Since Mr. Grant was adamantly averse to an autobiography, the woman behind the idea for the one-man show, Nancy Nelson, decided to embark on this project to give remembrance to this remarkable man. Starting from his humble beginnings in England, all the way through his illustrious Hollywood career and to his golden years - the reader will get a wonderful insight into this fantastic actor. The stories are told by his colleagues, friends and people in his life as they remembered him. The who's who of Hollywood give their deepest respect to Mr. Grant. You will learn that he was a true gentleman in real life as well. He wanted only to be kind to his fellow man and respected for his work. If you are a fan of Cary Grant's, this is a must-read book.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, heart-warming collection of vignettes about Mr. G
Review: With that handsome face, million-dollar smile, impeccable taste in suits, and debonair yet witty demeanor, Cary Grant is one of the most famous Hollywood stars of the 20th century. This book is not exactly a biography, but a collection of stories that are part biography, part homage, and above all, an expression of heartfelt love towards the man from the people in his life. The stories are inspired by a series of Conversations with Cary Grant that were a one-man evening show where Mr. Grant essentially held a two hour QA session for an enthralled audience. Since Mr. Grant was adamantly averse to an autobiography, the woman behind the idea for the one-man show, Nancy Nelson, decided to embark on this project to give remembrance to this remarkable man. Starting from his humble beginnings in England, all the way through his illustrious Hollywood career and to his golden years - the reader will get a wonderful insight into this fantastic actor. The stories are told by his colleagues, friends and people in his life as they remembered him. The who's who of Hollywood give their deepest respect to Mr. Grant. You will learn that he was a true gentleman in real life as well. He wanted only to be kind to his fellow man and respected for his work. If you are a fan of Cary Grant's, this is a must-read book.
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