Publication

1974 - Delacorte Press, New York, New York (State)

Language

English

Word Count

66,750 words, Guess

Page Count

267 pages

Identifiers

and 2 more
  • LibraryThing2823493
  • Goodreads892788

Classifications

  • DDC791.43/028/0924
  • LCCPN2287.G37 H5
  • DDCB

Description

The repressed, insecure child of North Carolina tenant farmers, Ava Gardner was de-twanged and groomed into an actress at M-G-M. Following a brief, unhappy marriage to Mickey Rooney -- the studio's diminutive biggest star -- the Southern belle projected the ""deeply perverse, self-destructive"" traits often associated with a glamorous movie queen's lifestyle. Turned on by night-owling, partying, and flamenco dancing, she made sex goddess headlines via her tempestuous pairings with Howard Hughes, Artie Shaw, Frank Sinatra, Walter Chiari and assorted Spanish bullfighters. A self-confessed ""average"" actress suffering from a Monroe-like lack of confidence, Ava was ""a beauty who exposed her soul in her playing"" with her performances in Mojambo, The Barefoot Contessa, The Sun Also Rises and On the Beach. Publicized, criticized, legendized throughout her career, Miss Gardner is presently ""living her life of calm withdrawal"" in London. Anecdotal, full of intimate detail -- this should be a walk-on-by but can one?

Subjects

Topics

Gardner, Ava, 1922-

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