Comedic film actress Kay Kendall, born to a theatrical family in Northern England, came of age in London during the Blitz. After starring in Britain's biggest cinematic disaster, she found stardom in 1953 with her brilliant performance in the low-budget film, Genevieve . She scored success after success with her light comic style in movies such as Doctor in the House , The Reluctant Debutante , and the Gene Kelly musical Les Girls . Kendall's private life was even more colorful than the plots of her films as she embarked on a series of affairs with minor royalty, costars, directors, producers, and married men. In 1954 she fell in love with her married Constant Husband costar Rex Harrison and accompanied him to New York, where he was starring on Broadway in My Fair Lady . It was there that Kendall was diagnosed with myelocytic leukemia. Her life took a romantic and tragic turn as Harrison divorced his wife and married Kendall. He agreed with their doctor that she was never to know of her diagnosis, and for the next two years the couple lived a hectic, glamorous life together as Kendall's health failed. She died in London at the age of 32, shortly after completing the filming of Once More with Feeling! , her husband by her side. The Brief, Madcap Life of Kay Kendall was written with the cooperation of Kendall's sister Kim and includes interviews with many of her costars, relatives and friends. A complete filmography and numerous rare photographs complete this first-ever biography of Britain's most glamorous comic star. British starlet Kay Kendall started in show business at the age of 11. Unfortunately, most of her films were box-office flops that received mixed reviews about her performance, a reality that did not deter Kendall from pursuing her desire to become a star. Kendall was likable, easily attracting friends and admirers; she had a longtime relationship with Charlie Chaplain's son Sydney and dated some minor royalty. Her scandalous affair and eventual marriage to Rex Harrison helped boost Kay's struggling career, but her untimely death from leukemia ended her dreams of stardom. Golden, author of biographies on Jean Harlow and Theda Bara, has joined with Kendall's sister to write the first biography of this beautiful, ambitious woman. Golden's writing style is concise and evenly paced, and she uses firsthand information from the actress's family and friends. Although American audiences may not be familiar with Kendall, this is an enjoyable read. Purchase where there is an interest in show-business biographies. Rosalind Dayen, Broward Cty. South Regional Lib., Pembroke Pines, FL Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. "The first biography of this beautiful, ambitious woman. Golden's writing style is concise and evenly paced, and she uses firsthand information from the actress's family and friends. Although American audiences may not be familiar with Kendall, this is an enjoyable read."― Library Journal "Kendall's life is filled with a sense of fun and mischief."― Movie Review Index "Considered to be a real life 'Holly Golightly' by the British. A beautiful comedian everyone thought to be mad as a 'hatter.' The book will tell you all about the woman and how she lived up to her reputation."― Rainbo Electronic Reviews "She was quite magic. Everywhere you went, people used to stop and stare . . . she radiated."― Roddy McDowell "Kendall has a presence that went far beyond her limited screen oeuvre."― Washington Post "Belongs in a bygone age of romantic movies filled with dashing heroes and honorable secrets."― Wisconsin State Journal Eve Golden is the author of six theater and film biographies, including Anna Held and the Birth of Ziegfeld's Broadway ; The Brief, Madcap Life of Kay Kendall ; John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars; and Jayne Mansfield: The Girl Couldn't Help It . Used Book in Good Condition