Olivier - Hardcover

Coleman, Terry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805075364 ISBN 13: 9780805075366

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co., 2005

Synopsis

Based on exclusive, unprecedented access, the definitive biography of Sir Laurence Olivier, the dashing, self-invented Englishman who became the greatest actor of the twentieth century

Sir Laurence Olivier met everyone, knew everyone, and played every role in existence. But Olivier was as elusive in life as he was on the stage, a bold and practiced pretender who changed names, altered his identity, and defied characterization.

In this mesmerizing book, acclaimed biographer Terry Coleman draws for the first time on the vast archive of Olivier’s private papers and correspondence, and those of his family, finally uncovering the history and the private self that Olivier worked so masterfully all his life to obscure. Beginning with the death of his mother at age eleven, Olivier was defined throughout his life by a passionate devotion to the women closest to him. Acting and sex were for him inseparable: through famous romances with Vivien Leigh and Joan Plowright and countless trysts with lesser-known mistresses, these relationships were constantly entangled with his stage work, each feeding the other and driving Olivier to greater heights. And the heights were great: at every step he was surrounded by the foremost celebrities of the time, on both sides of the Atlantic—Richard Burton, Greta Garbo, William Wyler, Katharine Hepburn. The list is as long as it is dazzling.

Here is the first comprehensive account of the man whose autobiography, written late in his life, told only a small part of the story. In Olivier, Coleman uncovers the origins of Olivier’s genius and reveals the methods of the century’s most fascinating performer.

About this title

About the Author:

Terry Coleman, who was selected by the Olivier estate to write Laurence Olivier’s biography, is a historian, novelist, and journalist. As special correspondent for The Guardian of London, he reported from seventy countries and interviewed eight prime ministers. His previous books include, most recently, The Nelson Touch, a biography of Horatio Nelson. He lives in London.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

The American opening of Wuthering Heights, in Hollywood, was a triumph for Olivier. Eleanor Roosevelt, Marlene Dietrich, Douglas Fairbanks Junior, Paulette Goddard, Merle Oberon, and the David Selznicks were there. Louella Parsons wrote that the film buried forever any idea that he resembled Ronald Colman; he was a personality entirely on his own and his performance as the sulky stable boy was magnificent. The Los Angeles News said the Hollywood mob took one look and wished it had shown better judgment in appreciating his talents while he was in town before—a reference to the Garbo fiasco. The New York Times said, “Mr. Olivier is one of those once in a lifetime things, a case of a player physically and emotionally ordained for a role.” Hedda Hopper, the gossip columnist whose good opinion was gold dust, wrote: “When Laurence Olivier says, ‘Come here, you're mine,’ how gladly you’d go.” But by this time Vivien was exhausted and hysterical, and Olivier was summoned by Selznick to go to her. He was released from dress rehearsals of his play. There followed the familiar adventures of night flights, telegrams, clandestine meetings, and joyous letters. They were again doing what they did best.

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0805075364
• ISBN 13: 9780805075366
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 608