From Publishers Weekly
Film critic for the London Evening Standard , Walker presentsone of the world's most chronicled women, whose turbulent life hasbeen eerily reflected, or anticipated, in her movies and plays: fromNational Velvet and Cleopatra (on the set of which she fell in lovewith Richard Burton) to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and PrivateLives. Walker shows how Taylor has indulged her passions, re-createdherself in the image of each new lover, husband or project, and in duecourse flourished after rounds of combat with the public, the press,her weight and illness. Unfortunately, Walker repeats himself andreaches unsuccessfully--and unnecessarily--for dramatic effect. Forexample, referring to Taylor's fourth husband, Eddie Fisher, a protegeof her third husband, Mike Todd--who died in a plane crash in1958--Walker writes: "He stepped into Todd's shoes, and ultimatelyinto his bed." Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Walker, British film critic and biographer of stars, will hardly have the last word on Elizabeth Taylor, not as long as there's a tabloid press. His bio is breezy but not too light, colorful but not too gossipy, critical but not too bitchy. Its first half is its better half, detailing Liz's early years at MGM and her marriages to Nicky Hilton and Michael Wilding. Once Richard Burton enters the picture, Walker seems to lose steam and interest. Their most public antics now seem silly and boring, and since her Oscar-winning performance in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , Taylor's career has been in free fall. Still, a decent addition to the Taylor archives.
- Thomas Wiener, formerly with "American Film," Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
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About the Author
ALEXANDER WALKER’s previous books include Vivien: The Life of Vivien Leigh and biographies of Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Peter Sellers, and Bette Davis. He has been the London Evening Standard’s award-winning film critic since 1960 and three times has been named Critic of the Year by the British press. His latest biography is Audrey: Her Real Story, the life of Audrey Hepburn, and he has just published an updated and expanded study of Stanley Kubrick.
