Charles Casillo Boeken

This groundbreaking biography delves into the hidden complexities of Marilyn Monroe, revealing the woman behind her captivating beauty and tumultuous love life. Drawing on extensive research and new interviews, it uncovers the truth about Monroe, portraying her as a multifaceted individual—bewitching, maddening, brilliant, and flawed. The narrative situates her life within the context of her times, highlighting the challenges she faced before feminism and the lack of effective treatment for bipolar disorder, a struggle she endured. Beginning with her abusive childhood, the biography illustrates how her fractured psyche fueled her ambition, transforming each celebrated romance and tragedy into steps toward her enduring legacy. It thoroughly examines the last two years of her life, including her relationships with John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, and the enigma surrounding her final day. Among the revelations are Elizabeth Taylor's secret attempts to assist Monroe during a dark period, the rediscovery of a semi-nude love scene with Clark Gable, and a poignant encounter with Warren Beatty shortly before her death, where she shared insights into her despair. The account meticulously details the events leading to her demise, highlighting how miscommunications and misjudgments played a role in her tragic end.

This story of the decades-long relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift chronicles her devotion to the troubled star through a near fatal car crash and the descent into alcoholism and addiction that effectively ended his Hollywood career

Violet-eyed siren Elizabeth Taylor and classically handsome Montgomery Clift were the most gorgeous screen couple of their time. Over two decades of friendship they made, separately and together, some of the era’s defining movies—including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Misfits, Suddenly, Last Summer, and Cleopatra. Yet the relationship between these two figures—one a dazzling, larger-than-life star, the other hugely talented yet fatally troubled—has never truly been explored until now.“Monty, Elizabeth likes me, but she loves you.” -Richard BurtonWhen Elizabeth Taylor was cast opposite Montgomery Clift in A Place in the Sun, he was already a movie idol, with a natural sensitivity that set him apart. At seventeen, Elizabeth was known for her ravishing beauty rather than her talent. Directors treated her like a glamorous prop. But Monty took her seriously, inspiring and encouraging her. In her words, “That’s when I began to act.”To Monty, she was “Bessie Mae,” a name he coined for her earthy, private side. The press clamored for a wedding, convinced this was more than friendship. The truth was even more complex. Monty was drawn to women but sexually attracted to men—a fact that, if made public, would destroy his career. But he found acceptance and kinship with Elizabeth. Her devotion was never clearer than after his devastating car crash near her Hollywood home, when she crawled into the wreckage and saved him from choking.Monty’s accident shattered his face and left him in constant pain. As he sank into alcoholism and addiction, Elizabeth used her power to keep him working. In turn, through scandals and multiple marriages, he was her constant. Their relationship endured until his death in 1966, right before he was to star with her in Reflections in a Golden Eye. His influence continued in her outspoken support for the gay community, especially during the AIDS crisis.Far more than the story of two icons, this is a unique and extraordinary love story that shines new light on both stars, revealing their triumphs, demons—and the loyalty that united them to the end.