Hi Gang,

Here's an exciting new read, with lots of great photos, too! A must, for Cary Grant devotees. Available at major online booksellers; nice discounts, included. In stores, by September 4. Will review, at the appropriate time. Don't miss it. photo: the stylish Mr. G. takes a ride: North by Northwest.

He always looked impeccable, whether in casual attire or a tux.

I browsed through that book at Rizzoli over the weekend, Armanis. It's very nice, and full of great pictures. I especially liked the letters from Cary Grant to his tailors.

So true, Velvet . . .



Chenas, I'm so glad you've perused the book! Listen, I've been conversing with the author, at another forum! Some lively exchanges, you can be sure. A most entertaining and charming, man. Am going to try to get Mr. Torregrossa to pay us a visit, here at POL!! Wouldn't that be fun? You'll love him . . .

Fabulous topic, I will seek out the book. My goodness, CG was style personified, was he not? Astaire was a marvel to look at, too. Such grace, such elegance...contrast that with raggedy jeans and faded tees and beaten up sneaks, no?

Suz, this is another reason why I love to watch the 'oldies,' on TCM. You just don't see men like Cary Grant onscreen, these days. Don't care how hard they try . . . or don't try. The magic, just isn't there.

Tommaso . . . you're wicked. And so, on the mark.

I keed, I keed. Seriously, CG is THE MAN. Nobody can touch him.

So true. Cary Grant even said that he wished he were Cary Grant, lol.

OH MY GOODNESS!!! PURE CLASS TO A capital T!!

Tommy-Boy, that was wonderful!!!!!

Click to view attachment



You know, I just now remembered Cary Grant's 'late in life' relationship, with Dyan Cannon! I can't recall if they married? Wasn't there a child? A girl? Will have to look that up . . .

Lots of men really went for Dyan Cannon. I liked her but her constant laugh would have driven me up the pole!

I think they were pretty happy but ........it's been awhile. I could be wrong.


Certainly they must have gotten a divorce???

Click to view attachmentGlo, I'm not sure . . . we'll find out!

Dyan Cannon had quite a figure . . . as I recall. I remember that she and Raquel Welch did not get along, during THE LAST OF SHEILA. Now, that was a strange movie . . .

update . . . Dyan Cannon and Cary Grant, married in 1965. Ms. Cannon was CG'S fourth wife. In 1966, a daughter was born: Jennifer. The couple divorced, in 1968.

YEP! It all comes back to me now. How quickly we forget!

I have always loved CG. There's nobody like him. And in a way I wonder why it is so... His talent as an actor? His charisma?

Btw, does anybody know how tall he was? Sometimes when I watch his movies, I think he looks - eh - how shall I put it - less tall than some other gentlemen. I also think he could thank his taylor for his masculine shoulder line (oh, sacrilege, I know). ;-)

CG was 6'1". You're right about the shoulders of his jackets being built up but it was done to balance out his large neck(17-1/2 in.) and head.

Before:



After:

Amazing!! I had read about Mr. Grant's head being 'too big,' for the rest of his body. Elizabeth Taylor had this problem, as well. I heard too, that CG did not have two separate front teeth. Just one, large tooth substituting for his front incisors. Mr. Grant struck me as rather broad in the hips, too. And a little flat, from behind.

I remember reading in Lana Turner's autobiography, that she had the smallest hip mannequin, at MGM. And, that her shoulders were not 'even,' and had to be built up, for onscreen clothes.

Here's an early CG flick where his style is beginning to take form.


"The Amazing Quest of Earnest Bliss"(1936)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7...grant&hl=en


Enjoy!

Click to view attachmentThanks, Tommaso!! I loved Mr. Grant, in Arsenic and Old Lace . . . have to watch that one again, too! Will post again, after I see the movie you found for us.

Wow, Tommaso . . . I'd never seen Mr. Grant in a film, from this far back. It's impressive to watch. You're so right . . . the Grant magic, was beginning clearly to gel. The mannerisms, the insouciance, the impeccable grooming. The slightly bored, but highly focused, stance. Very, very interesting. Am enjoying, very much ...

Armanis search for Joan C on that video site and see photos of where she used to live.
426 North Bristol
Watch for her Oscar .

sillage

Tomasso, what a wonderful video clip - thank you! Sigh, I wanted to go to places just like that when I grew up. The music, the supper clubs, the silver cigarette case, the elegance, ease...beautifully nostagic.

I never fully appreciated Cary Grant when I was young. Now, when I see his old movies I'm awed by his looks, grace, humor and charm.

What fragrance did he wear?

'pani . . . Mr. Grant wore Green Irish Tweed, from Creed. A few others, as well.

That's true, Armanis. Creed created GIT expressly for CG and did not make it available to the public until after CG had passed.

Click to view attachmentI see! Creed did a fragrance for Audrey Hepburn, as well: Spring Flower ... I think Fleurissimo was done, for Grace Kelly's wedding day.

Mr. Grant wore a few others, too . . . Acqua di Parma I believe, was one. btw: I very much, enjoyed the video!! Dazzling. Mr. Grant's comedic timing was beginning to take shape back then, too. Wonderful, Tommaso.

Well, I just watched The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss. Thank you, Tommaso!

FYI. Richard Torregrossa, the author of "Cary Grant:A Celebration Of Style", will be joining our discussion momentarily. It seems he's been delayed by a registration snafu.

That's great! I don't know where he'll be posting from but it's 2am here and I'm fading fast. I'll be back tomorrow--or actually later today to check in. In the meantime, if you do get here Richard, greetings and welcome! Haven't had a chance to read your book but I did read the very interesting article in Town & Country. Good night! (I hope you noticed I've been using charcoal grey lettering in this thread in honour of Mr. Grant's impeccable suits.)

Click to view attachmentOh, how exciting!! If Richard is having registration trouble, we'll help him out!

Click to view attachmentA note to Grant fans: this Friday at 9:00 p.m., Turner Classics will present one of my favorite, Grant films: Arsenic and Old Lace. Delightful, black comedy about two spinster aunts who put men out of their misery, via arsenic tinged, eldeberry wine. Frantic pace. Perfect cast: Cary Grant, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre, Josephine Hull, Edward Everett Horton. Great fun!

And Priscilla Lane. Grant at his comic best!

One of my favorites! The women who play Grant's pixilated aunts, are superb!! BTW; I now HAVE, the Cary Grant book. Am enjoying it, very, very much! Informative. Beautifully presented. Energetically scribed. Charming.

Well, folks, I made it here, thanks to Armanis, Tomasso, and many other fine Cary Grant fans who seem to embody his good manners, kindness and perhaps even his sartorial elegance, though I can't swear to that because I haven't met them in person.

I'm the authorof Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style, Foreword by Giorgio Armani, Afterword by Michael Kors. It's the first full-length biography that details the evolution of this immensely popular style icon.

I've got some questions for you but first: any questions for me?

Cheers,
RT

QUOTE (FiveoaksBouquet @ Sep 3 2006, 11:05 PM)

Glad you enjoyed the T&C excerpt. There's one coming in The Telegraph in London. Your gray font is duly noted and appreciated. Grant joked (though some thought he was serious) that he wore gray suits when he got older so that if some of his gray hairs fell out no one would notice. Hope I didn't keep you up too late...




You are too kind. But do go on... (joking).
RT



The Amazing Quest of Ernest Bliss. Such good taste you all have. It's one of my favorites. During the filming of that movie CG's father died, but you never know it by his performance. Perhaps his nervy edginess, appropriate for the role, was a result of that.

Hello Rich!! Welcome, to POL!! Great to have you, aboard!!

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I am half way through your book. It is beautifully presented, excitingly written, packed with information, and mesmerizing throughout. I've never read another biography, quite like this one. While I'm reading, it's as though no other style icon for men, ever existed. We know this not to be true, but your all inclusive look behind the scenes of how Cary Grant, became who he was . . . is exhaustive and penetrating. Most, most impressive. Congratulations!



I have a number of questions . . . don't know where really, to start. I'll tell you what has surprised me, some. 1. That Cary Grant 'could not,' wear hats. I'd never thought about that. 2. That a thick, muscular neck was considered to be difficult to photograph. 3. That when Cary Grant wanted a tuxedo made, just like the one Douglas Fairbanks wore, Mr. Grant went to Ralph Lauren to have the tux created. 4. Mr. Grant's acrobatic ability . . . I'd noticed it, but hadn't given it much thought. He made it look too easy, I suppose. Here's something that did NOT surprise, me . . . that Cary Grant's favorite evening shirt, was FORTY-THREE years old. I have told people, over and over: people of distinction, buy the best, then expect it to last. They do not throw their money away, on the latest and the greatest.



[size="4"]Whew. I'll let you have a little say, now . . . and, by the way . . . anyone who's wondering what Mr. Torregrossa looks like, can stop. Check out the jacket of his great new book. I won't say anymore.

Welcome, Rich! I seem to be posting on this thread at hours when I'm normally asleep but something woke me up and I'm checking in. Congrats on the book!

That's the universe telling you to get up and watch a Cary Grant movie.

RT

He also liked Acqua di Parma. New Mown Hay by Floris was also a favorite, but I think it's long been discontinued. Anybody know anything about New Mown Hay?

RT

Click to view attachmentRich . . . I'm up to 'To Catch a Thief,' in the book. I'll be finished, soon . . . btw: I never knew about the women's underpants?! I suppose they do allow the male anatomy to 'adumbrate,' as you so skillfully scribe, in your book . . .

I heard that this was one of CG's favorite poems,


They bought me a box of tin soldiers,
I threw all the Generals away,
I smashed up the Sergeants and Majors,
Now I play with my Privates all day.

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Very clever!

I still can't get over, the ladies' undies. I can envision the effect, however. Yes, it would be provocative. No doubt, about it. But I could never stand to wear nylon undies. Have to have cotton. Adumbration, or no adumbration.

Am nearly finished with the book. It has been an absolute pleasure, to read. The presentation is the most beautiful I've ever seen, in a biography. The cover, is breathtaking. The pinstripe binding, witty and debonair. Truly a very special experience.

Yeah, but nothing kinky going on. He was an innovator. But that bits getting a lot of attention, especially during the radio/TV interviews I've done.




Armanis--you don't miss a thing. The pinstripe binding. Yes. Glad you noticed that special little touch.





Yes, you're right. One of his favs. Robert Mitchum said he had a corny sense of humor, clearly derived from his Vaudville days, and I guess Mitchum was right. Different era, different background.

CG could also play a rolicking dance hall style piano. Do you know about the record he made of Christmas tunes? Would like to find one of those.

Click to view attachmentAll through. What a pleasure. Rich, you saved another surprise, until the very end: Grant's favorite color! I won't give that away. An amusing choice, I'd say.

I didn't know how Mr. Grant met his last wife . . . she worked in the public relations department, of London's Royal Lancaster, Hotel. Let me tell, you ... I've known another woman who worked in a similar capacity, at a Hyatt hotel . . . she ended up marrying VERY well. I mean . . . VERY well. She divorced well, too.

Rich, I commend you on this effort. You worked so hard on this book. Among all the other pleasures contained within, it's important to tell you that you maintained a consistent level at all times. Your enthusiasm remains even. Your tone remains respectful, but not reverent. Your perspective is flexible enough to tell us why Cary Grant became a style icon, but never once do you forget Grant's indelible shadow. Excellent work, lovingly and thoughtfully presented.

Chenas, I think Cary Grant's letters to the tailor must be good reading. Kind of like William R. Heart's to his architect, Julia Morgan, perhaps?

Thanks Armanis, I will be on the lookout for this book. And, where is Jennifer now, I have to wonder? Did she take up acting?

Some of the roles offered to Cary Grant that he turned down.

Joe Bradley in "Roman Holiday" (Gregory Peck)

James Bond in "Dr. No" (Sean Connery)

Linus Larrabee in "Sabrina" (Humphrey Bogart)

Prof. Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady" (Rex Harrison)

Lawrence Larry Mackay in "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" (David Niven)

Norman Maine in "A Star Is Born" (James Mason)

Rupert Cadell in "Rope" (James Stewart)

T.E. Lawrence in "Lawrence of Arabia" (Peter O'Toole)

Prof. David Pollock in "Arabesque" (Gregory Peck)

Frank Flannagan in "Love in the Afternoon" (Gary Cooper)

Prof. Humbert Humbert in "Lolita" (James Mason)

Jean-Marc Clement in "Let's Make Love" (Yves Montand)

Shepherd Henderson in "Bell Book and Candle" (James Stewart)

Fascinating! Tommaso . . . some very challenging parts, there! Do you think Mr. Grant might have garnered an Academy Award, had he portrayed T.W. Lawrence, in Lawrence of Arabia? Or perhaps, as Humbert Humbert, in Lolita? As Norman Maine, perhaps?

Well, I think he was right to turn down some of these roles. He would have been too old for Bond and Lawrence, for example.