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Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style
With rare and never-before-published photographs, personal letters, and documents, this groundbreaking book reveals the style secrets that helped make Grant a fashion icon.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 23, 2018
The writing left a lot to be desired but the pictures make it a 4! It is now on my coffee table! What a style icon!
January 9, 2013
5 stars for accomplishing what the book set out to do, ie show that Cary Grant was classic Hollywood's most elegant, well-dressed, well-mannered, paragon of manly perfection. The author shows how Grant accomplished the transformation from British lower-class urchin to become the person he wanted to be, though the transformation required a lot more effort than just a name change. Too bad so many actors today are still following in the slovenly footsteps of Brando and Dean, and unshaven to boot. Who is there in today's world of tinsel stars and celebrities worthy of emulating?
Though the subject of this book is male, females too can learn style from Grant, a man who taught himself how to minimize his flaws and maximize his attributes and always dress to his best advantage. Clothes expressed who he was, what his values were, and gave him confidence in himself and his ability to cope with any situation that came his way. In his movies, Grant's looks, how he moved, talked, what he wore, are highly noticeable and we respond, wanting to copy him, even to the point of wanting to be him, or wanting to be his wife/girlfriend/coworker/friend. We learn that he was genuinely interested in other people, liked to have fun on the movie set, made friends and kept them, including some ex-wives, and was the same person offscreen as on.
I was surprised and delighted that the author said what I have always believed, that Grant "was not bisexual...was not a homosexual." (pg 23) The unsubstantiated rumor of his relationship with Randolph Scott has been repeated ad finitum over the past 80 years and this rumor, because it's been so oft repeated, is now thought to be true. The author says that in 1932, when Grant was a Paramount contract player and a few years from being a star, he shared a house on the beach at Malibu with Scott. They were housemates, throwing weekend BBQs and swim parties, and both chasing GIRLS. Throughout his life, Grant did the classy thing and ignored these rumors. And so should we.
This book contains a great many full page or large b/w photos, which are essential to illustrate Grant's Style. And the printing of these pictures is superb. The text and photos are worth the $35 retail cost.
P.S. Thank you TCM for keeping the Golden Years of Hollywood vibrantly alive.
Though the subject of this book is male, females too can learn style from Grant, a man who taught himself how to minimize his flaws and maximize his attributes and always dress to his best advantage. Clothes expressed who he was, what his values were, and gave him confidence in himself and his ability to cope with any situation that came his way. In his movies, Grant's looks, how he moved, talked, what he wore, are highly noticeable and we respond, wanting to copy him, even to the point of wanting to be him, or wanting to be his wife/girlfriend/coworker/friend. We learn that he was genuinely interested in other people, liked to have fun on the movie set, made friends and kept them, including some ex-wives, and was the same person offscreen as on.
I was surprised and delighted that the author said what I have always believed, that Grant "was not bisexual...was not a homosexual." (pg 23) The unsubstantiated rumor of his relationship with Randolph Scott has been repeated ad finitum over the past 80 years and this rumor, because it's been so oft repeated, is now thought to be true. The author says that in 1932, when Grant was a Paramount contract player and a few years from being a star, he shared a house on the beach at Malibu with Scott. They were housemates, throwing weekend BBQs and swim parties, and both chasing GIRLS. Throughout his life, Grant did the classy thing and ignored these rumors. And so should we.
This book contains a great many full page or large b/w photos, which are essential to illustrate Grant's Style. And the printing of these pictures is superb. The text and photos are worth the $35 retail cost.
P.S. Thank you TCM for keeping the Golden Years of Hollywood vibrantly alive.
June 24, 2014
A must have book which is exemplary! - Especially to enjoy as an artful and beautiful coffee table book, as well as a great read into the interesting life of a Hollywood icon, Cary Grant.
This book is permanently displayed in the Beverly Hills Hotel Lobby, showcased in the Cary Grant collection amongst his wardrobe pieces and memorabilia. A treasured book to be an heirloom for many...
This book is permanently displayed in the Beverly Hills Hotel Lobby, showcased in the Cary Grant collection amongst his wardrobe pieces and memorabilia. A treasured book to be an heirloom for many...
October 11, 2011
The writing was pretty painful at times, but the photos are amazing. If you can work your way through the cringe-worthy hyberbole, there's also some interesting insight into men's fashion.
September 7, 2018
«Мужчина из Города Грёз» (Полин Кейл, кинокритик)
«Единственный настоящий принц Голливуда» (Марлен Дитрих)
«То, как Кэри Грант пьёт чашку кофе, может научить вас большему, чем полугодовое обучение по системе Станиславского» (Тони Кёртис)
«Если вы хотите быть счастливыми, сходите на фильм с Кэри Грантом» (Ральф Лорен)
«Джеймс Бонд без пистолета» (и, действительно, Кэри Грант послужил Флемингу одним из прототипов внешности Бонда. Более того, пробовался на роль, но выбран был Шон Коннери)
Все эти цитаты из книги журналиста в области моды Ричарда Торрегросса «Кэри Грант. Торжество стиля».
Это приятная и красивая книга с большим уважением и вдохновением передает историю создания уникального стиля одного из знаковых актеров Золотого века Голливуда – Кэри Гранта. Она рассказывает историю of the self-made man (человека, достигшего успеха самостоятельно), который родился в бедной семье портного и швеи, в пригороде английского Бристоля под именем Арчибальд Александр Лич и покинувшего дом в возрасте 16 лет. Он примкнул к труппе акробатов (у которых научился их мастерству) и однажды, они пересекли Атлантический океан, прибыв в Нью-Йорк. На родину Арчи Лич не вернулся. Спустя время, он выступал уже на Бродвее, а после – в оказался а Голливуде (в течении всех этих лет он хватался за любую работу, и даже попав в Голливуд, продолжал некоторое время продавать галстуки).
Но книга смещает свой фокус на эталонный и узнаваемый стиль Гранта и то, как он создавал этот стиль; какие личности вдохновляли молодого Арчи, на все те знакомые сегодня детали экранного образа ведущего актёра Голливуда в течении нескольких десятилетий подряд. Это и его уникальный акцент, выбор одежды, манеры, независимость, остроумие, загар (которым Грант заменял грим. Он не любил грим и очень любил Ингрид Бергман за её идентичное отношение к косметике). На вопрос о том, что помогло ему достичь успеха, Кэри Грант отвечал коротко: усердие, упорство и удовольствие от того, что делаешь.
В книге много воспоминаний, остроумных высказываний, фотографий. Идеальная, в общем, книга для вдохновения и утреннего кофе. Если только у вас нет этого славного умения – проливать его на книги и всё вокруг, как это делаю я^^
Но на сей раз, obviously, у какой женщины не дрогнет рука, если она встретит her Prince Charming, пускай и в книге)
«Единственный настоящий принц Голливуда» (Марлен Дитрих)
«То, как Кэри Грант пьёт чашку кофе, может научить вас большему, чем полугодовое обучение по системе Станиславского» (Тони Кёртис)
«Если вы хотите быть счастливыми, сходите на фильм с Кэри Грантом» (Ральф Лорен)
«Джеймс Бонд без пистолета» (и, действительно, Кэри Грант послужил Флемингу одним из прототипов внешности Бонда. Более того, пробовался на роль, но выбран был Шон Коннери)
Все эти цитаты из книги журналиста в области моды Ричарда Торрегросса «Кэри Грант. Торжество стиля».
Это приятная и красивая книга с большим уважением и вдохновением передает историю создания уникального стиля одного из знаковых актеров Золотого века Голливуда – Кэри Гранта. Она рассказывает историю of the self-made man (человека, достигшего успеха самостоятельно), который родился в бедной семье портного и швеи, в пригороде английского Бристоля под именем Арчибальд Александр Лич и покинувшего дом в возрасте 16 лет. Он примкнул к труппе акробатов (у которых научился их мастерству) и однажды, они пересекли Атлантический океан, прибыв в Нью-Йорк. На родину Арчи Лич не вернулся. Спустя время, он выступал уже на Бродвее, а после – в оказался а Голливуде (в течении всех этих лет он хватался за любую работу, и даже попав в Голливуд, продолжал некоторое время продавать галстуки).
Но книга смещает свой фокус на эталонный и узнаваемый стиль Гранта и то, как он создавал этот стиль; какие личности вдохновляли молодого Арчи, на все те знакомые сегодня детали экранного образа ведущего актёра Голливуда в течении нескольких десятилетий подряд. Это и его уникальный акцент, выбор одежды, манеры, независимость, остроумие, загар (которым Грант заменял грим. Он не любил грим и очень любил Ингрид Бергман за её идентичное отношение к косметике). На вопрос о том, что помогло ему достичь успеха, Кэри Грант отвечал коротко: усердие, упорство и удовольствие от того, что делаешь.
В книге много воспоминаний, остроумных высказываний, фотографий. Идеальная, в общем, книга для вдохновения и утреннего кофе. Если только у вас нет этого славного умения – проливать его на книги и всё вокруг, как это делаю я^^
Но на сей раз, obviously, у какой женщины не дрогнет рука, если она встретит her Prince Charming, пускай и в книге)
June 9, 2020
A good to read. Not only about Cary Grant's clothing style, but also how he carried himself. He was regarded as the style O.G. so to speak, for men from different backgrounds and cultures from the '30s up until the '80s. He was well respected for his attire and the way he lived his life. He was always referred to as being a gentleman. The book reveals some of the details that he took into account when wearing clothes, whether for casual occasions or formal dress. You can learn a lot from this book.
October 9, 2018
Wonderful book for the Cary Grant fan. The truth about Cary and what style truly means is on every page!
July 16, 2021
This is a nicely-researched book. I learned some things about Cary Grant that I hadn't known. Focusing on Grant's style was a good approach. I enjoyed reading it.
January 15, 2009
What can I say? I'm a big fan of Cary Grant the actor, but before receiving this for Christmas I didn't appreciate how much of a "style icon" he was. Rather than being a shallow affair merely concerned with clothes, this weaved in biographical information and gave a complete portrait of the man. One thing that I didn't like was how the book repeated itself sometimes, pulling out quotes from one section of the book and placing them in the margin of another section. Besides that trivial point, all I have left to say is thanks, Anthony!
P.S. I also liked looking at the pictures. :)
P.S. I also liked looking at the pictures. :)
May 18, 2007
Always swoon-worthy, for me Cary Grant has always had such a mystique that I couldn't pass up this book. It's filled with photos of the handsome and charismatic Mr. GQ as well as stories about how he maintained his elegance in his early years -- and well into his retirement.
January 23, 2013
Almost embarrassingly poor writing somewhat redeemed by beautiful photographs. For the serious CG fan, worth borrowing but not buying.
May 27, 2013
Not your typical memoir...it is a classy, well-written novel about probably the greatest film star of all time... very few actors of today can hold a candle to Cary Grant in Hollywood today...
June 9, 2016
One of my all time favorite books on Grant. It captures the style that made him an icon.
October 2, 2007
Beautiful book. An informative and easy read.
February 24, 2009
I'll always be in love with Cary Grant.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews