The Cleopatra Papers

by Jack Brodsky, Nathan Weiss

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

175 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though parts are dry, this is an overall interesting read about one of the most infamous films in history. Brodsky and Weiss' correspondence paints an interesting picture not only of the trials and tribulations of making the film Cleopatra, but of Fox Studios. There are intriguing bits of drama about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. It also contains the political maneuvering and mismanagement that almost brought down Fox. Overall, an interesting look into the film and studio history.

[Della Tingle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the weirdest books I’ve ever read! I suppose I could have given it only 2 stars, but the concept was clever and original. Set in the 60s, during the making of Cleopatra with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, readers were provided the inside scoop. In today’s world of internet, WiFi, emails, texts, FaceTime, Zoom, and so much more, we are granted the inside scoop on a daily basis, but in the 60s, communication was via US postal service (mail!), telegrams (no longer part of our world!), and phone calls (of which out of state and/or certainly out of country would have been very expensive and so limited!).

Two men working in publicity for 20th Century Fox (Cleopatra), saved many correspondences and compiled them into this collection. If a reader is a Cleopatra movie fan, “the film is both scholarly and showmanly” (74), this book will be a dream! I have never even seen Cleopatra! However, I do know the four principal actors including Rex Harrison (my favorite!!!!!!). “APRIL 16 WEISS NEW YORK WENT BOWLING WIRH REX HARRISON LAST NIGHT STOP THOUGHT THAT WORTH A CABLE LOVE JACK” (63). “Burton is the actor of his generation…Harrison, if anything, is better than Burton” (74). There are mentions of other people as well as movies, places, events with which I am familiar or found to be interesting.

The making of Cleopatra, “the costliest, most plagued, most written and talked about, and most brilliant of all films” (167), was stressful! “It’s an insane asylum here” (54). Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, both married to others at the time, ended up in a much publicized affair. When the news came out, one paper included the movie director into the love affair. When asked for a response, the director said, “The real story is that I’m in love with Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor is the cover-up for us,” and he kissed Burton on the lips! 😆

I find it very strange that two professional men sign letters love. “Got to go now. Love, love” (157).

“The publicity continues to build on Cleopatra. I don’t think anything has been heralded with such fanfare, except, of course, the coming of Christ” (158). 😄

“There will always be movies of course, and presumably better ones than there ever were before; and yet they won’t be quite as grand, as foolish, as wonderful as they used to be. How marvelous that Cleopatra, the last of them, transcends them all! That, with Cleopatra, The Movies go out in style” (168). 🎥

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm. I’m not sure where I got this book and had no clue what it was about. I’ve never seen the movie “Cleopatra” but heard about the making of it when I was growing up. There were interesting tidbits in here but most of it was dull. Meh.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book fills in some of the details Wanger's My Life With Cleopatra leaves out.