Vivien Leigh: An Intimate Portrait Hardcover – October 15, 2013

The above title was Charmian's description of the dead Cleopatra in the last scene of Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra". When Vivien Leigh died, her bereaved mother had the full quote engraved on a wrought iron bench in the garden opposite Vivien Leigh's apartment in Eaton Square, London. It is "Now boast thee death, in thy possession lies a lass unparallel'd." It fits then and now.On the hundredth anniversary of Ms. Leigh's birth this coming November 5, this book has been published as a celebration and a remembrance. I've only just received this book, and haven't read it all the way through, so I won't comment on the text, I'll leave that to the other reviewers. However there is a gracefully written forward by actress Claire Bloom who in her youth resembled Vivien Leigh, and was both her friend and co-star in the London production of "Duel of Angels."Probably earlier biographies by Alexander Walker and Hugo Vickers will give the reader a more in depth detailed life of Ms. Leigh, the main reason to buy this attractive volume is the glorious photographs presented within. Ms. Bean has done superlative work here in choosing and assembling a wide variety, the best I've seen in the various works on Ms. Leigh with the possible exception of Angus McBean's "Vivien: A Love Affair in Camera". The tome is handsomely assembled; the stock is thick with a glossy satisfying finish under one's fingers, the photographs crisp and clear and beautifully reproduced and the binding is tight. Clearly this was a labor of love by Ms. Kendrick, and she is to be congratulated for an exceptional job.Since I'm not addressing the quality of the writing, l will comment on some of my favorite photos, to give a flavor and mood of the book, and perhaps whet your curiosity. Starting with the beginning, there are sweet glimpses of Vivien as a charming little girl dressed in gypsy and clown costumes, and one of her hugging a dog, which is refreshing since she had such a passion for cats. From "Gone With the Wind" three vivid watercolors of Scarlett O'Hara's costumes by Walter Plunkett are represented including the sprigged muslin barbecue and green velvet drapery dresses. On the barbecue set there is the star smilingly signing her autograph to a little girl extra. Another beautiful color photo as Scarlett O'Hara features the midnight blue, dove bedecked dress which was very briefly glimpsed in the film. At the 1940 Oscar ceremonies there is a rare color snap of Vivien with her Oscar seated with Laurence Olivier, Olivia de Havilland, and David O. Selznick at their banquet table. Lazlo Willinger who photographed Ms. Leigh better than anyone else besides her favorite Angus McBean is well represented by a magnificent black and white series of Vivien in her diaphanous white ballet costume from "Waterloo Bridge"Later shots are a never before published photo by Philippe Halsman of a luminous Vivien in a gossamer lace mantilla, and an equally breathtaking Vivien sumptuously costumed in black velvet and furs by Cecil Beaton in "Anna Karenina". A heartbroken, majestically regal Cleopatra reaching for the deadly asp in the suicide scene from "Antony and Cleopatra" is captured by Angus McBean's camera. Two glimpses of the actress backstage in New York, dressed as Shakespeare's Cleopatra listening to the radio to the 1952 Oscar telecasts just before and after her win as Best Actress for "A Streetcar Named Desire" are a rare treat. A color publicity photo from the film "The Deep Blue Sea" reveals a poignant, melancholy quality. Four generations of Ms. Leigh's family, her mother, daughter, newly born first grandson and she are captured for posterity. Another marvelous color photo has Vivien posed against the background of the indigo tinged Swiss Alps in the "magic hour" between sundown and twilight on the balcony of Noel Coward's chalet. "The Lady of the Camellias" which Leigh did on tour with the Old Vic in 1961-62 has a pair of interesting shots. From 1964, Ms. Leigh at age 51 in brilliant color is the classically elegant mature woman, her beauty ripened not damaged by time.Here's a quirky duet of pictures, in the first Ms. Leigh sits smiling tranquilly, cigarette in hand in Ceylon filming "Elephant Walk" with a defanged live cobra coiled around her neck! The second is a resplendently costumed Vivien as Viola in "Twelfth Night" from 1961, with curious, elaborately trimmed, huge, puffed out accordion sleeves.The final color photo used is an appropriate choice. Ms. Leigh clad in an unadorned beige dress with a large ribbon bedecked straw hat on her lap is perched in a rowboat on the edge of the millpond at her country home Tickerage Mill. There is a patch of reeds along side her with the smooth glasslike expanse of the pond and the greenery of trees and bushes on the far shore in the background. Her makeup and hair are naturally done, minimal yet lovely, Ms. Leigh's expression serene as if she is one with nature. Knowing her turbulent history, this halcyon moment not long before her untimely death shows Ms. Leigh at peace, which one hopes she finally found.I hope this has given a glimpse into the many pleasures that are contained within the covers. Speaking of the covers, the dust jacket has different photographs from the actual cover, first time I've ever seen that. If you're a fan of Vivien Leigh, this is one book you won't want to miss.

I purchased thus book used and it is a wonderful book. Excellent photographs and information. Highly recommend both the book and the used book seller.

Anyone familiar with the life of Vivien Leigh is aware that during her years of stardom she was in no sense a conventional "star." Having scorned Hollywood and subsequently, the medium she was born for, Leigh's film oeuvre, in terms of quantity, is woefully sparse. Despite this, her luminous presence is forever preserved on film, most memorably in her Oscar winning portrayals as Scarlett O'Hara and Blanche DuBois. "Gone With the Wind" and "A Streetcar Named Desire" aside, there were other notable film roles: Myra Lester in "Waterloo Bridge"; Emma Hamilton in "That Hamilton Woman." Still, it is most unfortunate for movie buffs that Vivien Leigh made no secret of her preference for live theater, and it is this paucity of film roles which prevents her being mentioned in the same breath as a Davis or Hepburn. Further complicating her stake was her premature death from tuberculosis at the age of fifty-three. This early demise deprived her the opportunity to reveal her own story, either in autobiographical form or in a collaborative biography. Thankfully, in fitting with the great star's centenary, Kendra Bean has written a glowing tribute: "Vivien Leigh: An Intimate Portrait." It is no mean feat to pare the essence of Leigh's life into a mere forty-five thousand words. By all accounts this complex woman was as multi-faceted as she was charismatic. It is to first-time author Bean's credit that she acquits herself so admirably, writing of Leigh's triumphs and struggles with clarity and sensitivity. Told in a concise, penetrating style, this sumptuous coffee table book contains hundreds of photos of Leigh, some images previously unpublished. It is a gorgeous homage to one of classic cinemas most radiant stars--a wonderful introduction for those not familiar with Leigh's life and work. During her lifetime Leigh was lauded for a beauty which often overshadowed her talent--but never her determination to better hone her acting craft. Her storied marriage to Laurence Olivier was the stuff of fan magazine folklore, but beneath the veneer of fairy-tale romance lie dark, disturbing truths. By the mid 1950s Leigh suffered the agonies of full-blown manic depression; by the end of the decade her twenty-year marriage to Olivier was over. Her final years left her battered, yet Vivien Leigh battled on, refusing to concede defeat, despite the times she despaired. Thanks to Kendra Bean, this elusive legend again comes to life, not only for new generations, but for rabid fans long bewitched by the enigmatic star. It is true there are biographies detailing the actress's life more in depth, Hugo Vickers thorough volume "Vivien Leigh," being first and foremost. However, for those wanting a pictorial introduction, as well a stepping stone to an era when stars were stars, and today's overused terms as "beautiful" never more apt descriptions, one would be greatly amiss to deprive themselves of the pleasure of feasting their eyes on Kendra Bean's "Vivien Leigh: An Intimate Portrait."

Having been a Vivien Leigh fan for most of my life, probably beginning as a teenager in the '70s when Gone With The Wind was revived in cinemas around the country (and I went to see it over a dozen times), I've read many books & articles on this beautiful British actress throughout the years. On the anniversary of her 100th birthday, this book Vivien Leigh An Intimate Portrait by Kendra Bean is quite lovely, offering many new and rare photos (most B&W, several color) of the various life stages of Ms. Leigh, both personal & professional, with accompanying text. She was a stylish woman, and her personal wardrobe was classic and admirable, including wide brimmed hats, full length furs, trenchcoats, and understated evening gowns & daywear, photos of which are featured here. She wore period costumes beautifully, both on stage and screen, and besides Gone With The Wind, my other favorite film wardrobes of hers were That Hamilton Woman and Anna Karenina, where both her clothing & jewelry were stunning. There are some photos of her in costume in those films (the navy gown from Scarlett's honeymoon/portrait is a rare beauty), but I wish this area had been expanded upon, and hope to see a follow up book in the future. Fans will be pleasantly surprised though at the wealth of beautiful photos here and will have many favorites - mine include several scenes from Waterloo Bridge, those with the Olivier's pet cat, "three generations" with her new grandchild, lovely closeup shot w/ Warren Beatty from Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone, and the final full length photo in evening gown leaning against a pillar. A lovely and loving tribute to a special lady.

This is a fabulous book by Kendra Bean an author who clearly adores her subjects and does them superb justice by producing great quality photographic/biographic books like this one-one of the best books I have read about Vivien Leigh an actress I knew very little about but was captivated by her beauty and elegance all the same which made me want to discover more about her and her works both on stage and screen!What a treat then to find a book such as Kendra's! It is just what you would want to have as part of your book collection if you are into books of great looking quality photos of your favourite star! The choice of photographs are simply wonderful and are from every era and part of Vivien's long and extensive career on the stage and in film.They include not only formal portraits of the star-which I particularly love-and less formal almost "candid" shots beautifully lit and shot for all that.If you are a fan of Vivien Leigh then I would have no hesitation in highly recommending this book to add to your collection-and if Kendra should produce any more books of stars of the stage and screen in the future I hope she will give them the same quality treatment as she has done with this lovely book-I would love a similar book on Carroll Baker one of my favourite 1950's stars who seems to be universally overlooked when it comes to books of this kind-so come on Kendra-will you take my hint???

The book is beautifully produced, with some wonderful photos, but I felt as I read it that the narrative had been written to fit around the photos rather than the other way round. In fact the photos, which are on almost every page, interrupt the narrative as you study them and read the captions. (By the way, pages 130-145 are all mixed up and in the wrong order.) After I had finished the book I felt rather disappointed (there was something missing) and wanted a bit more detail about certain aspects of her life, such as her illness and death. I actually found the most interesting part of the whole book the foreword by Claire Bloom (I wish she had written the whole book). I read this book immediately after I had finished Anne Edwards bio of Vivien and I would always choose Anne's book first - it's a fuller more complete work, which involves the reader more.

An enjoyable read for sure. The book is set out in a very orderly manner, and is definitely engrossing; pictures are wonderful and add to the sence of reader intimacy as you devour page after page of this heroine's idylic yet tragic life. Very emotionally evocative, as the author guides you through her success and her strife, her great love and her heartbreak...I restricted a star due simply to the fact that there are certain aspects of her life which I'd have prefered to explore further (but perhaps I'm just being greedy!) And because there were also a couple of choice pictures I would have liked to have owned! Lol

I was appalled that the day of the outbreak of World War 2 in the chapter of the book regarding that war is given as September 9th 1939 . This error put me off reading the rest of the book, as how can I trust any other dates given with that major error. Shame on you Kindle for missing it whether it is a misprint or an error on Ms Bean's part.

Very pleased great condition and great value for money a birthday present for someone who was over the moon.