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The King, McQueen and the Love Machine:My Secret Hollywood Life with Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen and the Smiling Cobra
"From 1970 to 1972, Barbara Leigh and Elvis Presley embarked on a torrid love affair from the moment they locked eyes. At the time, Leigh was a world-class model and actress whose looks and beauty embodied the naturalistic seventies and captured the King’s heart at the same time.Add to this mix an affair with the world’s number one box-office attraction, Steve McQueen, and president of MGM studios and the inspiration for Jacqueline Susan’s “The Love Machine,” Jim “The Smiling Cobra” Aubrey, and you have the decade’s steamiest love triangle. Leigh herself has a legion of fans in Hollywood and abroad. She is legendary among Presley fans and, over the years, has developed a cult following as she was the original Vampirella, a comic book character created by Forrest J. Ackerman.One of six children, Leigh was born Barbara Ann Kish on November 16, 1946, in Ringgold, Georgia. She was raised in a Miami orphanage since her mother could not afford to raise all six children alone. Married at 14 to her sister’s ex-boyfriend, and a mother at 17, she moved to Los Angeles and found work as a doctor’s assistant. Divorced soon after, Leigh was encouraged by a boyfriend to pose for photos, which led to a successful and glamorous modeling career. That soon led to more than 50 national TV commercials and a burgeoning movie career that boasted 10 films, including the cult classic The Student Nurses, Sam Peckinpah’s gentle Junior Bonner and Roger Vadim’s Pretty Maids All In a Row. By the time she turned 21, Barbara Leigh had already lived several lifetimes’ worth of experiences.Barbara Leigh resides in Los Angeles, California, but spends a good amount of her time traveling around the country, where she frequently appears as a guest at collectors conventions. Leigh currently is working with Marilyn Grabowski, the west coast editor for Playboy for the last 30 years. In her private time, Ms. Leigh is actively involved with Animal Rescue, a passion she takes very seriously. To reach Barbara Leigh, go to www.barbaraleigh.comWriter Marshall Terrill resides in Mesa, Arizona, and is the author of five books, including the best-selling biography, Steve Portrait Of An American Rebel (Donald I. Fine, 1993) Terrill is currently a reporter for Tribune Newspapers as well as a writing teacher at Mesa and Glendale Community Colleges in Phoenix, Arizona."
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
20 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Leigh
2 booksThere is more than one author with this name
Barbara Leigh (born Barbara Ann Kish, November 16, 1946) is a former American actress and fashion model. Her breakthrough role came in 1972 with the film Junior Bonner, which she starred alongside her then-boyfriend Steve McQueen. She later became the first model to wear the Vampirella costume on the cover of the original Warren Vampirella magazine.
In 2002, she published a memoir titled The King, McQueen, and The Love Machine, which accounts her romances with McQueen, Elvis Presley, and Jim Aubrey in the early 1970s.
In January 2014, Barbara Leigh retired from Playboy Enterprises Inc. after working with the company for almost 17 years.
Leigh developed hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease) and has been spokeswoman for the National Graves' Disease Foundation
Barbara Leigh (born Barbara Ann Kish, November 16, 1946) is a former American actress and fashion model. Her breakthrough role came in 1972 with the film Junior Bonner, which she starred alongside her then-boyfriend Steve McQueen. She later became the first model to wear the Vampirella costume on the cover of the original Warren Vampirella magazine.
In 2002, she published a memoir titled The King, McQueen, and The Love Machine, which accounts her romances with McQueen, Elvis Presley, and Jim Aubrey in the early 1970s.
In January 2014, Barbara Leigh retired from Playboy Enterprises Inc. after working with the company for almost 17 years.
Leigh developed hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease) and has been spokeswoman for the National Graves' Disease Foundation
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 2, 2014
This review is from: The King, McQueen and the Love Machine : My Secret Hollywood Life with Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen and the Smiling Cobra (Kindle Edition)
A book by Barbara Leigh which tells about her affairs of the heart back in the day, with Elvis, Steve McQueen and a Hollywood heavyweight she called The Love Machine or Smiling Cobra. Kind of an odd grouping, but I guess it worked for her, at least for a short time. Quite a juggling act.
Kind of tacky, but for the time period, it tells an interesting inside story.
A book by Barbara Leigh which tells about her affairs of the heart back in the day, with Elvis, Steve McQueen and a Hollywood heavyweight she called The Love Machine or Smiling Cobra. Kind of an odd grouping, but I guess it worked for her, at least for a short time. Quite a juggling act.
Kind of tacky, but for the time period, it tells an interesting inside story.
July 27, 2022
If you want to read a book about a women with no morals and that had no problem having a relationship with 3 men at one time, two of which were married, then this is the book for you. If not then I would pass. By the way, she is not even a little remorseful or feels any guilt for her actions.
February 10, 2017
Captivating insights into the unique world of celebrity.
Barbara Leigh’s book was given to me as a present, and what an excellent present it was. Her close association with larger than life personalities gives true insights into the unique world of celebrity and captures the free-wheeling spirit of the times. Throughout, she has been open and honest – sometimes painfully. She uncovers a wholly different dynamic that discloses vulnerabilities and passions along with the hidden pressures that come with the glamour. The last chapter in particular is really poignant and clearly heartfelt. I have no hesitation in recommending this book.
Barbara Leigh’s book was given to me as a present, and what an excellent present it was. Her close association with larger than life personalities gives true insights into the unique world of celebrity and captures the free-wheeling spirit of the times. Throughout, she has been open and honest – sometimes painfully. She uncovers a wholly different dynamic that discloses vulnerabilities and passions along with the hidden pressures that come with the glamour. The last chapter in particular is really poignant and clearly heartfelt. I have no hesitation in recommending this book.
August 23, 2014
A shallow person she was ..
A very self-centered person, promiscuous, and DID NOT CARE ENOUGH HER SON or she would have spent some time with him instead of jetting off to here and there. Frankly, I think a certain amount of her tales are probably fiction. Why I stuck it out and read the w book, I don't know.
A very self-centered person, promiscuous, and DID NOT CARE ENOUGH HER SON or she would have spent some time with him instead of jetting off to here and there. Frankly, I think a certain amount of her tales are probably fiction. Why I stuck it out and read the w book, I don't know.
May 20, 2022
pretty good
I liked reading about her life with these men. I like that she was independent and didn’t get bogged down with old patriarchal roles for the 1960’s and 70’s. It was interesting to read.
She fit some pieces together for me and I found it very intriguing.
I liked reading about her life with these men. I like that she was independent and didn’t get bogged down with old patriarchal roles for the 1960’s and 70’s. It was interesting to read.
She fit some pieces together for me and I found it very intriguing.
May 1, 2023
Interesting read about her life in Hollywood
Excellent pacing and her story never wanes. Interesing stories on her life especially when Elvis and Steve Mcqueen come into her picture.
Excellent pacing and her story never wanes. Interesing stories on her life especially when Elvis and Steve Mcqueen come into her picture.
July 24, 2024
Apart from a few interesting bits about Elvis and Steve McQueen, not worth the read. Not sure why it was on my to-read list.
September 11, 2014
Fascinating look at the world of entertainment and power in the 1970s. She describes a time when all things were allowed; the pill and abortion made it possible. Every person who came into the orbit of Elvis Presley has a different story to tell, and this one is one of the more interesting ones. Her accounts of making movies with McQueen and director Sam Peckinpaugh, among others, hold the reader's attention nicely.
November 15, 2020
Terrific Read!!
I thoroughly enjoyed every sentence of this book and read it in an afternoon. Since we are both nearly the same age, I relished all of Barbara's adventures, particularly with my hero Elvis. She is a very kind, truthful and candid woman, beautiful inside and out. This book will not be put down once you open the cover! I cried at the tremendous loss of her son...so sad.
I thoroughly enjoyed every sentence of this book and read it in an afternoon. Since we are both nearly the same age, I relished all of Barbara's adventures, particularly with my hero Elvis. She is a very kind, truthful and candid woman, beautiful inside and out. This book will not be put down once you open the cover! I cried at the tremendous loss of her son...so sad.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews