Biography

Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship

Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship

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  • Create Date：2021-08-13 08:51:56
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
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  • Author：Charles Casillo
  • ISBN：1496724798
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Summary

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 Burton

When 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。

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Reviews

Philip ，

I just finished and enjoyed the juicy new biography， Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship by Charles Casillo （2021）。 Part classic movie trivia， part juicy Hollywood gossip （an easy leap with Taylor's marriages）， Casillo offers up a side-by-side comparison of Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor's lives。 Chapters alternate between each actor。 I love both of them， especially Monty and so this was an easy read， or in my case， listen since it was on audiobook - free fr I just finished and enjoyed the juicy new biography， Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship by Charles Casillo （2021）。 Part classic movie trivia， part juicy Hollywood gossip （an easy leap with Taylor's marriages）， Casillo offers up a side-by-side comparison of Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor's lives。 Chapters alternate between each actor。 I love both of them， especially Monty and so this was an easy read， or in my case， listen since it was on audiobook - free from hoopla and your public library！ There were a few very funny moments in the book， but the absolute funniest was the description of the Vatican inserting itself in to the Taylor （Richard） Burton affair。 Both parties were married to other people at the time and Liz had just stolen Eddie Fisher three years prior from Debbie Reynolds。 Think pre-internet - the world was scandalized in a good， salacious way by Liz and Dick; so much so that even the Vatican chimed in with what has be to one of the funniest dirtiest phrases I have ever heard。 From an EW article，The Vatican newspaper printed an Open Letter taking Taylor to task for “erotic vagrancy。"Of course god forbid the man was also vagrantly erotic， but still I want a t-shirt ASAP！ And I hope Liz wore this as a badge of honor。 Great scandalous read。 4 out of 5。  。。。more

Kristi ，

As a fan of the films of both Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor I enjoyed knowing the behind the scenes story of their long relationship。 My favorite films in which they starred together are "A Place in the Sun" （ marvelous ） "Suddenly Last Summer" disturbing， but well acted and "Raintree County"。 In addition Mr。 Clift was great in "Judgment at Nuremberg"， "The Heiress"， and "From Here to Eternity"。 Elizabeth was outstanding in "National Velvet"， "Elephant Walk"， "Giant"， "Cat on a Hot Tin R As a fan of the films of both Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor I enjoyed knowing the behind the scenes story of their long relationship。 My favorite films in which they starred together are "A Place in the Sun" （ marvelous ） "Suddenly Last Summer" disturbing， but well acted and "Raintree County"。 In addition Mr。 Clift was great in "Judgment at Nuremberg"， "The Heiress"， and "From Here to Eternity"。 Elizabeth was outstanding in "National Velvet"， "Elephant Walk"， "Giant"， "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf？" Neither star ever had a childhood and had vicious stage mothers。 Clift struggle with his homosexuality and Elizabeth， whose father was homosexual and played a small role in her life， was always looking for daddy and could never sleep alone。。。。 In addition， and not surprisingly， both struggled with addiction。 The one character trait that can consistently be ascribed to Elizabeth was her friendship （ though sometimes misguided ）。 If she was your friend it was forever。 Monty's self-destructive behavior contributed to an early death。 I enjoyed the story of their care for each other。 Kristi & Abby Tabby 。。。more

Susannah ，

Full review to come。------------------My thanks to Netgalley for an opportunity to read and review this book。

Carol Burkholder ，

I always loved Montgomery Clift and I liked Elizabeth Taylor as well。 Monty could never get sober and suffered so much because of his homosexuality。 Parts of this were hard to read and so sad but it was a good picture of fame and it’s pitfalls。

Penny Peck ，

Not a full-fledged biography of these two notable movie stars， this focuses on the unusual bond between the two co-stars。 Having read two in-depth biographies of Clift， I was glad to see how much new material the author included; the book is well-researched with detailed chapter notes， a long bibliography， and index。 It made me revisit three of their films on TCM and I look forward to the one I haven't seen yet （Raintree County）。 A real page-turner for classic movie fans because the tone is not Not a full-fledged biography of these two notable movie stars， this focuses on the unusual bond between the two co-stars。 Having read two in-depth biographies of Clift， I was glad to see how much new material the author included; the book is well-researched with detailed chapter notes， a long bibliography， and index。 It made me revisit three of their films on TCM and I look forward to the one I haven't seen yet （Raintree County）。 A real page-turner for classic movie fans because the tone is not gossipy。 。。。more

Aaron Yates ，

If you know nothing about Taylor or Clift it might be worth a cursory glance。 For anyone else it’s a complete waste of time。 It’s just a rehash of prior， better written biographies with some unsubstantiated gossip and 3rd hand accounts thrown in for added padding。

Cheryl A Sheffer ，

Thank you Mr。 CasilloWhat a wonderful book to read。 Two very famous stars but more importantly， two very special people。 I found it hard to put it down。 You put me right at their sides， right on the sets and crying during the lows。 I wish I had met them。I am going to watch their DVD's over and over again with new loving eyes and a broken heart。 Thank you Mr。 CasilloWhat a wonderful book to read。 Two very famous stars but more importantly， two very special people。 I found it hard to put it down。 You put me right at their sides， right on the sets and crying during the lows。 I wish I had met them。I am going to watch their DVD's over and over again with new loving eyes and a broken heart。 。。。more

Paulette ，

As soon as I heard about this book， I was interested in reading it。 Growing up， I watched many old movies on TV and Montgomery Clift was one of my favorite actors。 I remember my mother talking about Elizabeth Taylor all the time， as she was extremely popular during those years， and I saw her in almost all of her movies。 I listened to the audiobook narrated by Paul Heitsch， and found it to be a very interesting story。 Paul does a wonderful job of narrating this book。 Charles Castillo writes the b As soon as I heard about this book， I was interested in reading it。 Growing up， I watched many old movies on TV and Montgomery Clift was one of my favorite actors。 I remember my mother talking about Elizabeth Taylor all the time， as she was extremely popular during those years， and I saw her in almost all of her movies。 I listened to the audiobook narrated by Paul Heitsch， and found it to be a very interesting story。 Paul does a wonderful job of narrating this book。 Charles Castillo writes the book， mainly with alternating chapters， focusing on Liz and then Monty。 They met when they were very young， on the set of A Place in the Sun， and became lifetime friends。 She had fallen in love with Monty， and he loved her， but since he was homosexual， he refused to marry her， which is what she desired。 The story goes on to describe their lives and loves， and his ultimate self destruction。 It is always fascinating to me how people can affect each other in so many ways， and it does seem that many of Liz's life decisions had to do with her unrequited love for Monty。 I highly recommend this book for anyone that is interested in these two actors。 。。。more

Diana ，

"Untold" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here。 While kind of a fun， breezy read （think gossip session at a long lunch vibes）， this is a lot of rehash， hearsay， and gossip。 The notes are spotty and sparse， which tells me the research is， too。 Not really possible for this author to know what the principals were thinking and feeling， but he speculates anyway。 （And if you're already a classic film fan， nothing in this book is particularly surprising。） "Untold" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here。 While kind of a fun， breezy read （think gossip session at a long lunch vibes）， this is a lot of rehash， hearsay， and gossip。 The notes are spotty and sparse， which tells me the research is， too。 Not really possible for this author to know what the principals were thinking and feeling， but he speculates anyway。 （And if you're already a classic film fan， nothing in this book is particularly surprising。） 。。。more

Pete ，

I listened to this audiobook over the course of the month because I’ve been on an old Hollywood streak for the past few years， loving Elizabeth and Monty， the whole time。 They’re relationship over the years really interested me so I was very happy to see a book come out this year that discussed both their lives and how they intertwined。 I had a great time listening to this and would like for the author to do something similar for other celebrity friend or couple pairings。 The format was exactly I listened to this audiobook over the course of the month because I’ve been on an old Hollywood streak for the past few years， loving Elizabeth and Monty， the whole time。 They’re relationship over the years really interested me so I was very happy to see a book come out this year that discussed both their lives and how they intertwined。 I had a great time listening to this and would like for the author to do something similar for other celebrity friend or couple pairings。 The format was exactly what I wanted so I’m very happy to have read it。Overall I’m gonna give it a 4。5/5 。。。more

Greg ，

This if the first book I've read that interweaves the biographies of two people contextualized around their relationship with one another。 I knew that Clift's life is often referred to as a tortured one。。。 nonetheless， it was depressing to read the specifics of his self-destructive behavior， and wonder "what could have been" if he'd been more nurtured earlier in his pre-Hollywood life。 I don't feel like I really got to know either of these people well through this read; maybe that's better cover This if the first book I've read that interweaves the biographies of two people contextualized around their relationship with one another。 I knew that Clift's life is often referred to as a tortured one。。。 nonetheless， it was depressing to read the specifics of his self-destructive behavior， and wonder "what could have been" if he'd been more nurtured earlier in his pre-Hollywood life。 I don't feel like I really got to know either of these people well through this read; maybe that's better covered in other biographies。 It is good for an overview of their careers， with perhaps the best window into their lives discussed during their time together on the set of "A Place in the Sun" （a favorite movie of mine）。 After reading this， I realized Monty made very few films， and I've already seen the good ones。。。 but I now have a strong desire to check out Liz' movies from the late-60's through the lates 70's （which is after the events chronicled in this book） for a deeper window into her career post-Monty。 。。。more

Claire Ehrenfeld ，

This book was pretty interesting。 The portions about Elizabeth Taylor didn't reveal too much about her that hasn't been well documented in the tabloids and magazines， however I don't think as much has been written about Montgomery Clift。 I certainly didn't know that much about him。 He comes through as a tortured soul and although his friends seemed to genuinely care about him， he ended up alienating many of them in the end。 He and Elizabeth had a very special bond right up to his early death。 This book was pretty interesting。 The portions about Elizabeth Taylor didn't reveal too much about her that hasn't been well documented in the tabloids and magazines， however I don't think as much has been written about Montgomery Clift。 I certainly didn't know that much about him。 He comes through as a tortured soul and although his friends seemed to genuinely care about him， he ended up alienating many of them in the end。 He and Elizabeth had a very special bond right up to his early death。 。。。more

R。M。 Loera ，

Just gossip。 That's what it would be found in this "biography" of these two actors。 Do you think that I want to know about the size of the member of this man？ And two sentences later he would have an orgy。 When before it says that he was so miserable because of that。 I don't know 2 plus 2 doesn't add up。 Montgomery Clift was a great actor。 I yet have to found a biography that concentrates on his career， the way that he was capable of giving himself to the characters that he develops in movies。 I Just gossip。 That's what it would be found in this "biography" of these two actors。 Do you think that I want to know about the size of the member of this man？ And two sentences later he would have an orgy。 When before it says that he was so miserable because of that。 I don't know 2 plus 2 doesn't add up。 Montgomery Clift was a great actor。 I yet have to found a biography that concentrates on his career， the way that he was capable of giving himself to the characters that he develops in movies。 I saw Making Montgomery Clift and they recover the audio of the phone call of Mister Clift with the director of the movie。 And they show you the scrip that belonged to him。 And you can see the amends and crossing-outs that he did。 And the perfection of that scene on paper with his own handwriting。 Mister Clift did that to all his movies， he didn't receive the credit on The Search。 I would love to see a biography that puts the light on that。 Yes， he was an alcoholic。 But， why with other actors we can see the gorgeousness in them and left behind the addictions， and with Montgomery Clift， we only see the ugliness？ I think Hollywood really hated him because he was a rebel against them。 And so many years later they haven't forgiven him just because he wanted the picture to be perfect。 I would have loved that life for Mister Clift was long enough for him to direct a movie but then again I'm not sure he was capable of finishing it。 Not because of all this drama that these biographies repeat again and again and again， but because he would be so perfectionist about it。 。。。more

Sandra ，

Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift were two sensational deep dimensional actors！ This book by Charles Casillo is about not only about their acting careers together and separate， but also the foibles and trauma of having substance abuse illnesses。 Elizabeth and Monty is filled with many stories of their "love" affair which Elizabeth wished would happen， unfortunately， Monty as much as he loved Elizabeth and found her his equal and sexy， he was attracted to men， even though he could never "come Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift were two sensational deep dimensional actors！ This book by Charles Casillo is about not only about their acting careers together and separate， but also the foibles and trauma of having substance abuse illnesses。 Elizabeth and Monty is filled with many stories of their "love" affair which Elizabeth wished would happen， unfortunately， Monty as much as he loved Elizabeth and found her his equal and sexy， he was attracted to men， even though he could never "come out" in the world of Hollywood during his career。 If he had， there would be no career， even though it was not a secret， they pretended he wasn't attracted to men and would patch him to his women friends。Elizabeth and Monty is written like Hedda Hopper's gossip column。 I love Montgomery Clift， I haven't watched all his movies but as a child， I fell in love with him and Elizabeth's movie -- Raintree County。 I know it isn't their best movie but as a kid， I was just fascinated by this aloof teacher and his desperate and haunted wife， Susanna。 It was good to learn the background of each person's life while filming Raintree County。 Such sad stuff。My only complaint about this book is that I feel that the "gossip" of Monty's same-sex attraction is covered ad naseum， not that I have a problem with him being gay， it just felt like Monty was narrowed down to a gay man with a drinking problem where that was all that he was。 That isn't what he only was， he was brilliant， soft-hearted， a lover of people， and a teacher to those who were just starting out in Hollywood。 I would have loved to have that celebrated more even with the heartache and struggles that he lived through until his dying day。 Elizabeth struggled with acceptance， love， and needed to have someone constantly around her， Monty was her person， the one that she could talk to， the one she wanted the most in her life， and he was there for her， until the day he died， even when they were across the nation from each other。 Elizabeth and Monty did a good job of telling Elizabeth's story， her relationship with her mother， her relationship with her 7 husbands （some of which were remarriages）， and her relationship with the love of her life -- Monty。I give this book 3。5 stars as I don't think I would read it again。 。。。more

Matthew ，

I feel terrible saying “this was a lot of fun”。 Since there is so much tragedy in these pages。 They sure don’t make celebrities like this anymore。

Sarah Andreotti ，

I didn't love this book， didn't hate it either。 What I did love: I learned a lot about both Elizabeth and Monty that I didn't previously know- their childhoods， early careers， relationships and more。 I had not known the extent of Monty's drug and alcohol abuse and for how long it had been affecting his work life。 There was a lot of information in this book， so definitely not a thin， glossed-over account of their lives。 What I didn't love: The gossipy feel of the book。 Several things that felt li I didn't love this book， didn't hate it either。 What I did love: I learned a lot about both Elizabeth and Monty that I didn't previously know- their childhoods， early careers， relationships and more。 I had not known the extent of Monty's drug and alcohol abuse and for how long it had been affecting his work life。 There was a lot of information in this book， so definitely not a thin， glossed-over account of their lives。 What I didn't love: The gossipy feel of the book。 Several things that felt like this were the multiple mentions of Monty's penis size and the line "In her grief she lost 12 pounds and had never looked better！" when speaking of an appearance post-Mike Todd's death。 There was also a very sad， yet detailed， description of a time when Monty was being sexually assaulted when he had been using and was basically unaware/unable to do anything about it。 I just felt bad knowing these graphic details and like the scene could've been described in a way that would've been more respectful and less dehumanizing to Monty。 It felt very TMZ-ish to me。I also felt like the book was about Elizabeth or about Monty， and the author didn't really make that really strong tie into their friendship together until the last chapter or so。 They really did lead a couple of sad and tragic lives， so reading this may have just put me in a downer mood， which made me not like it as much as I would have enjoyed a book with a happier story。So， an informative read that you'll enjoy if you are any kind of Liz and Monty fan。 Definitely not at the top of my favorites list of biographies， though。 It does make me want to read other author's books to get another perspective of the two friends。 I read this book for the summer #classicfilmreading challenge at the Out of the Past blog。 。。。more

Debra Smouse ，

One of the first biographies I remember reading was Kitty Kelly's book about Elizabeth Taylor， so diving back into her life alongside the life of her dear friend Montgomery Cliff。 It was enjoyable to walk in the past when Hollywood was Golden - and the PR machines of the studios managed the publicity of their stars。 Especially during a time period when being gay was something to be hidden for Hollywood stars。Though more than a decade apart in age， the lives of young Elizabeth and young Monty wer One of the first biographies I remember reading was Kitty Kelly's book about Elizabeth Taylor， so diving back into her life alongside the life of her dear friend Montgomery Cliff。 It was enjoyable to walk in the past when Hollywood was Golden - and the PR machines of the studios managed the publicity of their stars。 Especially during a time period when being gay was something to be hidden for Hollywood stars。Though more than a decade apart in age， the lives of young Elizabeth and young Monty were similar: both had stage mothers， both were distanced from their fathers， and both had an inner drive to succeed in their professional lives。 And， of course， both Elizabeth and Monty longed to simply be loved。Elizabeth and Monty dives into some of the more salacious details of the lives of these two stars， and to be honest， helped me find empathy for them while being able to admire their professionalism。 And in a day and age where people tend to tell all on an hourly basis， it's nice to see it as a retrospective look back rather than a current hot mess。 It's easy to see why they became and remained such good friends - and all the sadder that Clift died when he was only 45。If you enjoy tales of old Hollywood， you'll enjoy Elizabeth and Monty by Charles Casillo。 Thanks to Kensington， Net Galley， and the author for the chance to read and review Elizabeth and Monty。 。。。more

Vnunez-Ms_luv2read ，

This book was outstanding！！！ I have read other books about Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift， but never combines。 The styling of the chapters was very nice when reading the book。 The way the chapters paralleled their lives was an added bonus。 Very informative and the writing flows。 Highly recommended。 Thanks to Netgalley， the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review。 Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review。

Alecia ，

This was my guilty pleasure while away。 I got it from the local library and it kept me pleasantly occupied for the first week。 Although I knew about much of their lives （especially Elizabeth Taylor）， from other bios， etc。， it was fun to read about Liz and Monty's lives again。 It is written in a kind of semi-scurrilous "Hollywood Confidential" manner， full of dishy stuff。 It's certainly not an in-depth "serious"biography， more of a fun read about two gorgeous film stars from the 50's。 This was my guilty pleasure while away。 I got it from the local library and it kept me pleasantly occupied for the first week。 Although I knew about much of their lives （especially Elizabeth Taylor）， from other bios， etc。， it was fun to read about Liz and Monty's lives again。 It is written in a kind of semi-scurrilous "Hollywood Confidential" manner， full of dishy stuff。 It's certainly not an in-depth "serious"biography， more of a fun read about two gorgeous film stars from the 50's。 。。。more

Emilio ，

After reading Charles Casillo's "Marilyn Monroe: The Private Life of a Public Icon" I was hooked to the writing style of this author。 Casillo's approach to non-fiction is written through the eyes of the public with a discreet discernment that separates countless interviews， personal biases， and iconography that often his subjects possess。 In this non-fiction work， Casillo examines the friendship between Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift two actors whose love and affection have become identif After reading Charles Casillo's "Marilyn Monroe: The Private Life of a Public Icon" I was hooked to the writing style of this author。 Casillo's approach to non-fiction is written through the eyes of the public with a discreet discernment that separates countless interviews， personal biases， and iconography that often his subjects possess。 In this non-fiction work， Casillo examines the friendship between Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift two actors whose love and affection have become identified within Elizabeth Taylor's life for the films they made together and twenty years of intimate friendship。 As a film history enthusiast， I was familiar with Elizabeth Taylor's story having read biography's describing the many loves and friendships throughout her life。 This book expands on the mere chapters that Montgomery Clift was present in the stars' life to show the impact that they had on each other's life。 Casillo was able to explore each actor's triumphs and lows in an honest yet sympathetic way。 A part of their friendship that I found incredibly endearing was the origin of Montgomery Clift's nickname for Taylor。 Clift would call her "Bessie Mae" as nobody but him could call her that。 It was something that was shared in private and added to their growing bond when co-starring together in George Steven's "A Place in the Sun。" I enjoyed every minute of this and would recommend it to those who are familiar with the actors mentioned and would like an in-depth experience of the love shared between two of Hollywood's brightest stars。 As a thank you to NetGalley and the publisher， I wrote this review in exchange for an advanced reader's copy of this book。 I gave this a high 5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads。 。。。more

Rick ，

What an enjoyable read！ This well-researched and well-told biography of two of Hollywood's most iconic stars was very hard to put down。 I almost read it cover to cover in one sitting。 It's full of fascinating details of lives lived in the public eye。 Like all good stories， this one combines tragedy with comedy and has generous doses of longing， love， repression and making good and bad choices。 Highly recommended！ What an enjoyable read！ This well-researched and well-told biography of two of Hollywood's most iconic stars was very hard to put down。 I almost read it cover to cover in one sitting。 It's full of fascinating details of lives lived in the public eye。 Like all good stories， this one combines tragedy with comedy and has generous doses of longing， love， repression and making good and bad choices。 Highly recommended！ 。。。more

Nikki ，

Interesting subject matter but it read like a very long book report。

Lisa Mcbroom ，

I loved the movies of Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift。 You can see the lightening in a bottle magical effect between the two。 My favorite was Raintree County。 Casillo takes the lives of Clift and Taylor and speaks of the magical friendship between the two and Elizabeth Taylor's social contributions。 I loved the movies of Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift。 You can see the lightening in a bottle magical effect between the two。 My favorite was Raintree County。 Casillo takes the lives of Clift and Taylor and speaks of the magical friendship between the two and Elizabeth Taylor's social contributions。 。。。more

Donna McEachran ，

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review。I so wanted to love this book but it skims the surface with use of rumour and innuendo。 Not for me！

Tom O’Leary ，

This is a lively， fast-paced， gossipy overview of the devoted friendship between Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift。 Some of the writing is intelligent and incisive， as in the dissection of George Steven’s masterpiece A PLACE IN THE SUN。 There are details however that the author inexplicably wrong。 He states that Elizabeth’s parents in FATHER OF THE BRIDE were played by Spencer Tracy and Myrna Loy when in fact the mother was famously played by Joan Bennett。 These incorrect details hamper the This is a lively， fast-paced， gossipy overview of the devoted friendship between Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift。 Some of the writing is intelligent and incisive， as in the dissection of George Steven’s masterpiece A PLACE IN THE SUN。 There are details however that the author inexplicably wrong。 He states that Elizabeth’s parents in FATHER OF THE BRIDE were played by Spencer Tracy and Myrna Loy when in fact the mother was famously played by Joan Bennett。 These incorrect details hamper the book and dampen any enthusiasm I have for it。 。。。more

Rick Buttafogo ，

If you’re a movie buff and a fan of both Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift。。。you’ll enjoy this book。 Perhaps Taylor is far more well known than Clift but that’s simply because she was given a life that went on 45 more years after his death。 Their friendship was undeniable。 She never wavered from his side。 Thought perhaps because of his near fatal car accident leaving her home after a party， but she was there through the booze， the pills， the constant struggle with his being gay， and everythi If you’re a movie buff and a fan of both Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift。。。you’ll enjoy this book。 Perhaps Taylor is far more well known than Clift but that’s simply because she was given a life that went on 45 more years after his death。 Their friendship was undeniable。 She never wavered from his side。 Thought perhaps because of his near fatal car accident leaving her home after a party， but she was there through the booze， the pills， the constant struggle with his being gay， and everything that went with being a star in 1950s Hollywood。 They were and still are the most glamorous duo ever to be on the big screen。 She was a female Monty and he was a male Elizabeth。 Their beauty was undeniable。 Their compassionate souls in a ruthless profession never left them。 My recent love of old film brought me to see A Place In the Sun for the first time。 Wow。 Proves the saying “they don’t make movies like that anymore”。 While Clift died at the young age of 45， Taylor when on to become the spokesperson AND activist for AIDS。 For her it was her greatest achievement and what she wanted to be remembered for most。 It took her closest and dearest friends and as she said herself， had Monty lived he would have easily contracted it。 He was always with her and was her reason for confounding amfAR and establishing the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation。 if you’re a fan of either of these two， this book is for you。 Genuine。 Heartfelt。 Tragic。 yet their bond and friendship survived it all。 。。。more

Lisha G。 ，

Glamour - Love - Secrets "The Most Beautiful Couple in Hollywood"The platonic passion of two of the biggest stars of Hollywood's Golden Age Charles Casillo'sElizabeth And Monty"The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship" shares the details of that platonic passion and its hidden truths。 The biggest secret， during the era when both were superstar's Montgomery Clift was gay。That didn't stop Taylor。 At first， she thought if any woman could win him， she could。I really enjoyed read this amazingly Glamour - Love - Secrets "The Most Beautiful Couple in Hollywood"The platonic passion of two of the biggest stars of Hollywood's Golden Age Charles Casillo'sElizabeth And Monty"The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship" shares the details of that platonic passion and its hidden truths。 The biggest secret， during the era when both were superstar's Montgomery Clift was gay。That didn't stop Taylor。 At first， she thought if any woman could win him， she could。I really enjoyed read this amazingly well written book， I could not put it down， "This book is heart- wrenching it is absolutely heartbreaking， breathtaking has touched me a lot， fascinating love， releationship， tragedy between Elizabeth & Monty I LOVED ITAuthor Charles Casillo is truly a gifted writer has done an magnificent job， well researched。Highly recommend to everyone who loves Hollywood's Golden Age Elizabeth & Monty。。。 must read this book！ 。。。more

Dona ，

Montgomery Cliff was a star before my time so I knew very little about him other than I thought he looked crazed in the photographs I’ve seen of him。 Guess what， he was！ This biography of Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Cliff explores their long-term friendship and his tortured life。 Between him dealing with his homosexuality at a time when it was stringently hidden to his rabid alcoholism and drug use， well let’s just say this was one poor， tormented soul。 It amazes me he lived as long as he di Montgomery Cliff was a star before my time so I knew very little about him other than I thought he looked crazed in the photographs I’ve seen of him。 Guess what， he was！ This biography of Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Cliff explores their long-term friendship and his tortured life。 Between him dealing with his homosexuality at a time when it was stringently hidden to his rabid alcoholism and drug use， well let’s just say this was one poor， tormented soul。 It amazes me he lived as long as he did。 Elizabeth Taylor I’ve read several books on so there were really no surprises there。 This was a good biography and while neither of the subjects is alive to repudiate the authors claims， I think it was probably fairly accurate and well researched。 。。。more

Robert Swanson ，

Thoroughly enjoyed this book。 While I knew a lot about Elizabeth Taylor， I didn't know too much about Montgomery Clift or their incredible relationship。 The book is well written， a bit salacious but both of these actors were all about scandal。 Thoroughly enjoyed this book。 While I knew a lot about Elizabeth Taylor， I didn't know too much about Montgomery Clift or their incredible relationship。 The book is well written， a bit salacious but both of these actors were all about scandal。 。。。more

Heather ，

A huge fan of biographies， autobiography and memoirs this didn’t disappoint。 Vintage Hollywood was a different time not all of it should be remembered as a positive experience but we should look back on it so we don’t make the same mistakes。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0