How to Be a Movie Star: Elizabeth Taylor in Hollywood 1941-1981 - Softcover

""How to Be a Movie Star" is more than a well-told, thoroughly researched tale about the most compelling movie star of her time. It's the captivating story of how movie-making magic actually happens--and a truly lively portrait of the greatest screen magician of them all. Mann knows his subject intimately." --Peter Richmond, author of "Fever: The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee " "Was Elizabeth Taylor the greatest product of the Hollywood star machine or its greatest victim? Or was she, perhaps, its inventor? At a time when celebrity culture seems to be spiraling out of control, William J. Mann's smart, engaging, clear-eyed case study of Taylor's unique life in the spotlight locates the 'real' person somewhere between her private life and her public image. It's a fresh, unique and wholly successful approach to a fascinating story."--Mark Harris, author of "Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood" "A dazzling and sagacious red-carpet Technicolor ""How to Be a Movie Star"is more than a well-told, thoroughly researched tale about the most compelling movie star of her time. It's the captivating story of how movie-making magic actually happens--and a truly lively portrait of the greatest screen magician of them all. Mann knows his subject intimately."--Peter Richmond, author of"Fever: The Life and Music of Miss Peggy Lee" "Was Elizabeth Taylor the greatest product of the Hollywood star machine or its greatest victim? Or was she, perhaps, its inventor? At a time when celebrity culture seems to be spiraling out of control, William J. Mann's smart, engaging, clear-eyed case study of Taylor's unique life in the spotlight locates the 'real' person somewhere between her private life and her public image. It's a fresh, unique and wholly successful approach to a fascinating story."--Mark Harris, author of"Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood" "A dazzling and sagacious red-carpet Technicolor guide

"I don't pretend to be an ordinary housewife." So said Elizabeth Taylor, and therein lay her secret. From her days as a youthful minx at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to her post-studio reign as America's lustiest middle-aged movie queen, Taylor has defined the very essence of Hollywood stardom. Marching through the decades swathed in mink, discarding husbands nearly as frequently as she changed her diamond necklaces, Taylor dominated the headlines as no other star before or since. From America's sweetheart to America's homewrecker and then back again, she uncannily reflected (and at times predicted) the always shifting cultural zeitgeist. How to Be a Movie Star is a different kind of book about Elizabeth Taylor: an intimate look at a girl who grew up with fame, who learned early - and well - how to be famous.