Rex Harrison was the defination of the English gentleman, he charmed audiences on stage and film for over 40 years and was best known and beloved for playing Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady" on Stage and on screen.
But beneath the charm lurked a tyrannical side to Harrison, egotistical, arrogant, snobbish and rude, he was loathed by many who worked and knew him. Alexander Walker traces Harrison's beginnings from Liverpool, to the English Stage, to movies in England and then to Hollywood.
Special detail here is given to Harrison's six wives, including his fourth wife Rachel Roberts' suicide and the death of Kay Kendall from leukemia, a disease she never knew she had, since Harrison had kept it from her even on her deathbed. Also given special treatment is Harrison's involvement in the suicide of his mistress, starlet Carole Landis, where the scandal forced him to flee Hollywood and almost destroyed his career.
But Harrison goes on after the scandal to continue being a major star, he goes from Stage to films and finally to the role that would be his landmark, Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady"
But despite the fact that Harrison is revealed as a most unpleasant man, Walker does not ignore the truimphs of this brilliant actor, he is quick to point out that Harrison was one of the greatest high comedy actors of his time.
Great bio on a great star.
