Elizabeth Taylor

by Sheridan Morley

(Applause Books). Sheridan Morley's achievement in this thoughtful, clear-sighted book is to strip away the layers of media hype and mythology to reveal the true features of a unique and remarkable actress. Morely traces Taylor's development as an actress from the child films of the 1940s to Butterfield 8 , for which she won an Oscar. Morley also considers the Cleopatra fiasco, as well as her more literary work including The Taming of the Shrew and Under Milk Wood and her successful move to television work. The infamous private life is dealt with as it interacts with Taylor's career.

Genres: Nonfiction, Film

2 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2000

About the author

Sheridan A. Morley (5 December 1941 − 16 February 2007) was an English author, biographer, critic and broadcaster. He was the official biographer of Sir John Gielgud and wrote biographies of many other theatrical figures he had known, including Noël Coward.

Morley was the eldest son of actor Robert Morley and grandson, via his mother Joan Buckmaster, of the actress Dame Gladys Cooper.

Reviews

[Annabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's just say my appreciation of Liz's career has dropped a notch or two--and validated my suspicions (she is a mediocre actress at best!), but that doesn't change the fact that she remains one of the most beautiful women ever to grace the silver screen. Which is what has drawn me, and others before me, to Elizabeth Taylor in the first place.