Customer Reviews

Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is definitely not your typical cut and paste job - it is a classy, well-written, interesting photo/guide/memoir to probably the greatest film star of all time. Is there anyone even CLOSE to Cary Grant working as an actor in Hollywood today (and please don't say "George Clooney")? Grant's remarkable, disciplined, yet seemingly casual, attention to his appearance went deeper than just mere vanity. He was about class, about being a gentleman, about portraying to the world the kind of grace and style this more sordid world today clearly needs. The author has written a lively, interesting account of his life, the development of that style, and tips for the public, that cut deeper than most books of this type. Grant's upbringing was far different than the man he later became - and he literally "created" himself in lasting, memorable film roles, and, later, as the epitome of class, grace, and style. The photos are candid, the writing is sharp and probing, and the tips are timeless. It's a book worth owning, while the man himself, Cary Grant, is worth emulating. It's amazing - and somewhat sad - to think that American cinema once had the likes of Grant, Hepburn, and Astaire gracing our screens. How much we miss not only their style, but their talent and grace. This book reminds us of what he had - and how we might attempt to achieve it for ourselves. Bravo!

It is simply fact that throughout his lengthy career, Cary Grant epitomized a suave elegance that remains unparalleled today. Unless playing the rare character role such as "Father Goose", the actor never looked less than impeccable in appearance and dress in his movies, and he always knew the right thing to say to his leading ladies even if they were too flabbergasted to know his true intentions. Fashion journalist Richard Torregrossa has decided to focus his attention on the timeless self-made image Grant created with this handsome, smartly presented book. Unlike Marc Eliot's more straightforward, introspective look at Grant in 2005, the result here is a comparatively lighter read as it shows the fastidiousness Grant showed in defining fashions and manners for himself that matched the type of man he aspired to be. To substantiate his fashion-forward perspective on Grant's sartorial influence, the author includes a foreword by Giorgio Armani and an afterword by Michael Kors.

Born in relative poverty, the actor saw wearing uniforms as a means toward gaining self-confidence in his appearance, and this translated into the crispness of his custom-made suits and shirts. Grant was a true believer in the less-is-more approach to not only his clothing but to his surroundings at home. Every accessory he owned reflected a specific vision of how he should look and even sound as he meticulously developed his much-imitated accent. The unique élan Grant displayed was matched by none of his male colleagues and probably only Audrey Hepburn on the distaff side. Through the collection of photographs, memorabilia and personal recollections Torregrossa has gathered, we see how he tailored his look and manner through the years. While this book will have obvious appeal with image-conscious metrosexuals, it actually has a broader appeal in showing how seriously Grant took his role as a leading style model. The author effectively shows how the actor's efforts paid off in spades.

Cary Grant fans have been waiting a long time for such a worthwhile treatment of the man and his work. Not his film work, but a piece of him that isn't just gossip and hearsay. A Celebration of Style is born from bonafide research and reporting on what set Cary Grant apart from his peers. The book is interesting and easily read as well. Congratulations and thanks to you, Mr. Torregrossa.

While Mr. Grant's style was only one part of his personality and work, it was indeed the part that provided the basis for all the rest. My father always said that he'd take luck over skill any day. To quote his favorite coach, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." That's what this book is about. The painstaking, thorough, and neverending preparation of one Archie Leach. Preparation as an actor and as a gentleman.

While I understand one reviewer's temptation to knock the rating down one notch for want of more pictures and a lower price tag, I have to admit, I haven't recently been more pleased with a book. The pictures selected are appropriate for what the author is discussing and are not only plentiful, but some are rare. The price to publish these must be rather high.

Another reviewer is also correct in pointing out that a picture that appears to be labelled as Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. is not either of the Fairbanks men. The gentleman in the picture is actor Dan Tobin portraying Grant's attorney in The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer. Regrettable error, but not remotely offensive.

Overall Cary Grant: A Ceelebration of Style is a delightfully professional work which tells us about one extraordinary man's art and gives us ordinary folk some practical tips and guidelines for improving our own wardrobes without being preachy or condescending.

I loved this book! As the author of style biographies of Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Onassis and (I kid you not) Elvis Presley, I was most interested in this book. I have to say -- Mr. Toregrossa hits the ball out of the park. Straight, gay, dating the meter maid, frankly, I don't care... because face it: Mr. Grant was possibly the handsomest man in the world with the greatest style -- and don't you think we can ALL learn something from him? I loved the writing, and the images, and in this very un-stylish time that we live in, I think we could all use a primer. Mr. Grant was a gentleman and, god knows, we could use a few more of them today.

A very enjoyable read.

It's about time somebody wrote about Cary Grant's style and how he achieved it. Bravo to Mr. Torregrossa for pulling it off in a readable and fun manner with an impressive assemblage of photos, documents, and quotes.

There's a lot of new material here. I've read many biographies of Grant because I'm a Cary Grant fan, but I didn't know he was such a good businessman and that he cared as much about people as he did about his work. I also liked the descriptions of Cary Grant off screen, his sense of joy and his passion for life and how, despite a poor working class background, he completely reinvented himself. The book illustrates that metamorphosis quite well and by explaining HOW he managed to do that makes this a fascinating read. I couldn't put this book down!

The last chapter is really touching. I was reminded how, even after four divorces, he hung in there and never gave up on love finally finding true happiness in his fifth marriage. Most men would have thrown in the towel by then but he was a true romantic and by marrying again in his late seventies, Grant found a sense of happiness that had eluded him before.

Cary Grant had style. We all know that. But he had heart, too. A great movie star, but this book makes clear that he was something more: a great man.

...but style can. Cary Grant's personification of style and grace is illustrated and described by Torregrossa in a manner that would make Mr. Grant proud. Cary Grant - A Celebration of Style allows us to reminisce about a time when men's fashion had a clear focus and appeal. This book made me want to trade in my artificially faded jeans and undersized t-shirts for a fine suit. Congratulations to the author for an honest, well written and illustrated tribute to an international icon.

CARY GRANT: A Celebration of Style is an attractive book with an
engaging photo of Cary Grant on its dust jacket. An importantbiography
of personal style, it is also a visual pleasure in its photo accounts
tracing the creation of Cary Grant's classic image.

In his foreword, Giorgio Armani calls Grant an elegant role model, even in his comedy performances. I believe this and am intrigued by this in-depth examination of Grant's life by the author.

I had seen these photographs and was interested by interviews with
fashion designers, actors and others who knew and admired Grant.

His mother had been meticulous about his clothing, even when the family could not afford it. After she entered a sanitarium, he was raised by various relatives, but joined the Boy Scouts and learned to feel honor for his uniform.

During World War II, he worked at the Southampton docks as a messenger and also distributed life preservers to the soldiers there, accepting only military buttons and braids, instead of cash tips. He attached high significance to uniforms and continued to do so with various clothing he adopted for his own style. Grant never lost this habit, either onstage or off, and because of it, he is one of the most emulated personalities of the 20th centuy.

This book reveals some of Grant's secrets of creating style--still applicable today. One is to have integrity and not compromise your values or settle for something inappropriate. Grant sought out sophisticated role models he could respect and made use of their best style qualities (e.g., Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.). Another secret revealed by clothier Stephen Lachter was simplicity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this account of a teenaged acrobat who became a style icon, and I was stimulated by the celebration of life that Cary Grant seemed to display daily. I would like to see additional color photos added and am anxious to view Grant's films again in order to notice the elements of his style.

Armchair Interviews: Recommended to anyone interested in entertainment, and especially to young singers and actors searching for their own style.

Richard Torregrossa's celebration of high style Cary Grant is a dynamic, cleverly constructed, captivating memoir.

The book is precious. A breathtaking dust jacket, smartly tailored pinstriped binding, luscious photos, silken stock, and elegant printing, delight the reader's senses. Begin reading. Discover how Cary Grant turned himself into an indelible icon of style. Yes, it's about clothes. Mr. Grant's brawny evolution to the top of the international best dressed list, is an impressive, self-initiated feat. A calculated process of experimentation, imitation, innovation, and guile. Richard Torregrossa draws us into his tale, thread by thread, dropping hints of what's to come, surprising us with what's before our eyes; the author's spirit, sincerity, knowledge and purpose are on a consistent level at all times.
Truly a job well done. An elegant book. A keepsake. A fitting tribute, to Cary Grant. Highly recommended.

Richard Torregrossa did an amazing job on this book. Not only is the writing exceptional, the pictures are breathtaking. I highly recommend this book. It will make a great gift for the holidays. Congratulations Mr Torregrossa on a job well done!

I bought this book believing it was about the Cary Grant style and tips on the varies aspects of dressing well. To my surprise it was really a very short biography on CG with lots and lots of photos. Now I gave it four stars and not lower because I actually enjoyed it. Even though I've read CG biographies I must say this book has photos that I've never seen before and so that tops the flaws I found in the style department.