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Cary Grant: A Biography ReviewThank Goodness that Cary Grant led an interesting and sometimes spectacular life, otherwise this book would be a complete bore. My biggest complaint is that Marc Elliot only offers theories and opinions and very little fact or even sound logic behind some very outlandish claims. For example, he supposes that Cary Grant must have been a male escort because how else could he have survived in New York on his own at 17 years old. Even though we learn that he lived with two other men who helped him out and worked at any job he could get: stiltwalking, selling ties and starting up his own acrobat troupe. By the way since one of the men he lived with was gay, Marc also surmizes that he and Cary were lovers. As further proof of his being a male escort he offers the fact that Mae West casts the very handsome and young Cary in two of her movies even though he was a complete unknown. Furthermore, since she was known to arrange dates for rich men and women with her showbiz friends in New YOrk and since Cary was in New York at the same time and also in showbiz then she must have been his pimp in those early years. Add to that the fact that Cary couldn't stand Mae West seems to somehow substantiate this theory (at least in his own mind). It was this type of logic(illogic) and supposition that is peppered throughout the book that finally renderes it unreliable and essentially fictional.
He offers no first hand annecdotes, facts or source material that supports his theory/supposition that Cary is gay. Someone repeating gossip is just gossip and thats all thats offered. Even though he goes into great detail showing how Cary was blacklisted by the studios for being the first actor to go independent and even Marc Elliot suggests that much of the gay gossip orignated from the studios trying to punish and hopefully reign in their very very big star. They used Hedda Hopper and the other gossip mongers to beserch him in any way they could, hoping he would submit to their demands. Its sad that Marc Elliot doesnt offer anything of value; no articles, no interviews or even 2nd hand accounts of his homosexuality, bi-sexuality or even frugality. He just repeats old rumors that have been repeated over and over again through the years, and presents them as facts.
The funniest/insulting part was Marc Elliots' ( as one reviewer said) attempt at psychoanalysis of Cary Grant and his sexual relationships. Its amazing since the author never met Cary Grant and doesnt interview anyone who knew or slept with the man for that matter, even though 3 of his wives are still living. He bases this in depth analysis on divorce records and gossip again. He says Cary's first marriage fell apart because of his relationship with Scott, but his first wife according to these same records only accuses him of being domineering and jealous: Randolph Scott doesnt come up at all even as a buddy who is around too much; since she was in the midst of a divorce trying to get a rather large settlement (but failed) you'd think something juicy like that would have come up. He also skips over completely his five year live in relationship with Phyllis Brooks who lived with him off and on at the Scott beach house or that Scott himself married twice and had two children during this supposed affair. The author seems to edit things as he sees fit to substantiate his theories, but just gets so much wrong its hard to take any of it seriously. I think the worst example is his accusing Cary of having a gay affair (again) with his chaueffer, even though the chaueffer says it never happened and admits to having a relationship with Cary's 3rd wife after their divorce. Elliot never interviews or seems to take notice of interviews with Betsy Drake (3rd wife), Cannon (4th wife) or his 5th wife who all state that Cary was never gay and he also never interviews the chaueffer, though he's also alive and well. The book is such a shallow offering that it seems to come from nothing but the most salacious rumors the author could find and put in a book form. He put no time or effort into this and its obvious.
The only value I found in this book were the first few chapters of Cary's early life. What a sad childhood and what a brave and resourceful man Cary Grant must have been to survive without love or care and to be on his own since 10 years old and truly overcome insurmountable obstacles. That alone is enough to make his star shine brighter.
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