David Bret

- The searching new biography of 1930s sex symbol, Harleen Harlow Carpenter, who starred in 32 films, including classics such as China Seas and Hells Angels despite dying tragically young, at 26 years old - From an abusive father to screw-ball comedy star, Bret uncovers the Jean Harlow behind the wise-cracking screen persona - Includes details of all her films - Author promotion, serialisation

Tarnished Angel

Jean Harlow

From her fairytale childhood to her impressive array of movies and marriages, Elizabeth Taylor’s life, both on and off the screen, has enchanted, saddened, appalled, and entertained us for the past seven decades. Elizabeth Taylor: The Lady, The Lover, The Legend -- the first new biography to be published following her death -- strips away the Hollywood veneer to reveal the woman as she really was. Through his incredible depth of knowledge, biographer David Bret sheds new light on the Elizabeth Taylor we thought we knew: her feud with Louis B. Mayer, her friendship with Montgomery Clift, the abuse she suffered at the hands of Nicky Hilton, the real story behind the Taylor-Fisher-Reynolds love triangle -- and, of course, her epic relationship with Richard Burton, just as stormy in real life as it was on film. With compassion and admiration, Bret describes Taylor’s later years, including her fight for AIDS awareness and support for gay rights, her strange friendship with Michael Jackson, and her deteriorating health leading up to her untimely death on March 23, 2011. Elizabeth Taylor: The Lady, The Lover, The Legend is a shockingly honest, richly detailed book about one of the greatest Hollywood superstars of all time.

The Lady, The Lover, The Legend 1932-2011

Elizabeth Taylor

In this affectionate biography of Freddie Mercury, David Bret presents a completely rounded picture of the man still mourned by millions.'

Living on the Edge

The Freddie Mercury Story

A biography of Paris music hall star Mistinguett--born Jeanne Bourgeois in 1875--who was a rival to Josephine Baker and later an inspiration to Edith Piaf

The Mistinguett Legend

a passionate life

Piaf

Rudolph Valentino was less ashamed of his sexuality than he was afraid of being trapped by the image of his public persona. In 1920s America, men who preferred the company of other men were stereotyped as feeble, effeminate degenerates. None of these terms applied to Valentino-a powerfully-built man who excelled at most sports, boxing in particular. Yet it was Valentino's persistent and unnecessary need to prove his "manhood" which may have contributed to his early death. His is a remarkable story. But, who were these men, and what were their roles and significance in his life? Claude Rambeau, the chansonnier he met during his first visit to Paris, when he was 18. Alexander Salm (1890-1918), an Austrian tennis ace, a leading exponent of the Argentine tango, and a hero of World War One who died fighting for the Allies. Jules Raucourt, the Belgian actor. Norman Kerry, the matinee idol who appeared in such film classics as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Phantom of the Opera. Emmett J Flynn, a director who, though thrice-married, had a penchant for sporting types and whose career was blighted by alcoholism brought about by trying to hide his sexuality. Douglas Gerrard, the Dublin-born actor-director, a big name in Hollywood when he took Valentino under his wing, but sadly forgotten today. Paul Ivano, a young French cameraman, sent to America by his family to recuperate after being gassed while fighting at the Front, and who went on to much greater things. Frank Mennillo, an Italian businessman and aficionado of "button boys", and who would be the last of his friends to see him alive. Thomas Meighan, the matinee idol, a friend who always there for Valentino to lean upon in times of trouble and stress. Robert Florey, a French publicist who came to America to work on one film, fell for Valentino, and stayed another 50 years to become one of the country's most eminent producers. Valentino's letters to him and Florey's responses, which form a large and significant part of his story, are in turn touching and humorous. Jacques Hébertot, the French showman who acted as Valentino's guide during his second visit to Paris, in the summer of 1923. André Daven, the French actor-manager who went on to launch and manage some of the biggest names in French show business, and who was unquestionably the great love of Valentino's life. Luther Mahoney, the former New York cop turned handyman, who provided Valentino with a friendly shoulder to cry on and became his confidant. Mario Carillo, a burly, former Italian cavalry officer who achieved moderate success in Hollywood. Valentino's partner at the time of his death, he was the only one of his men to live with him, though to the outside world he was perceived as his personal trainer. Barclay Warburton, the Philadelphia-born millionaire at whose home Rudy fell ill, in August 1926. Then there were the women... Coco, the Parisian demimondaine who mocked him in the bedroom, making him wary of women for the rest of his life. The lesbian wives, Jean Acker and Natacha Rambova, "baritone babe" members of Hollywood's most notorious sewing circle. The former slammed the door of the bridal-suite in his face, but returned to support him at end of his life, becoming a valued friend. The latter, rapacious and domineering, very quickly became Valentino's-and the studios'-very worst nightmare. Alla Nazimova, the Crimean born actress who mocked and ridiculed Valentino when they first met, and who subsequently became one of his most cherished allies. Sheila Chisholm, aka Lady Loughborough, the nymphomaniac Australian socialite who foisted herself on Valentino during the last year of his life. Pola Negri, the quintessential teller of tall-tales, who nevertheless cared very much for him. And finally, June Mathis, the most important woman in Valentino's life who became his surrogate mother and keeper of his soul.

An Intimate Portrait of the Screen God's Lovers

Rudolph Valentino's Men

In a career spanning barely seven years and just seven major films, Rudolph Valentino's name became synonymous with Latin passion. When his image flickered onto the screen, fans of both sexes swooned. In this play one sees the real Valentino. Here was a man who seemed to enjoy being dominated by his rapacious lesbian wives~a man blatantly extroverted, yet who was naively unaware that the manager he trusted implicitely had but a single goal, to manipulate him and take charge of his fortune for his own aims. And finally there is the warm, sensitive, charismatic, happy-go-lucky Rudy, a man with a biting, off-beat sense of humour, who when in the company of his male friends and lovers, could let himself go and truly be himself. David Bret is one of Britain's leading showbusiness biographers. He has published two biographies of 'The World's Greatest Lover': 'Valentino, A Dream of Desire'(1998) and 'Rudolph Valentino: Lovers, Friends & Foes'(2013). WARNING: this play contains strong language.

Valentino's Affairs: A Two-Act Play

Dubbed the British Marilyn Monroe' or the British Bridget Bardot', Diana Dors finally proclaimed I'd rather be known as the hurricane in mink'. The actress was best known for her lavish lifestyle; she was a blonde bombshell with a penchant for flashy cars, opulent mansions, glitzy garb and jet-setting living. Diana Dors' rise to fame started with being a GI favourite during the war. However, she was keen to ditch her goody-goody image and announced that she wanted to be like Errol Flynn. It worked she became a huge star, working with the likes of Joan Crawford and famously starred in Yield to the Night, the movie that contributed to the abolition of the death penalty. But despite the glamour, her affairs, sex parties and OTT lifestyle, including an illicit affair with Rod Steiger left her branded as a scarlet woman, unwanted by the Studios. Undeterred, the indomitable Dors simply worked tirelessly to establish for herself a successful career in cabaret. Her life was didn't always smell of roses: her first husband cheated on her, stole from her, beat her and finally died of syphilis. Another lover who she considered faithful two-timed her with Rock Hudson. She finally found love with husband number three, who killed himself 5 months after her death. This is the amazing story of an actress who loved life and lived it to the full, told with compassion and vigour.

Hurricane in Mink

Diana Dors

One of the world's highest-paid entertainers, Gracie Fields cut hundreds of recordings, starred in a series of optimistically-titled films whose scenarios reflected the spirit of the Depression, and never lost her popularity. Her personal and professional life was plagued by controversy, media prejudice and tragedy. She married three times. Then there were the lovers, a mixture of painters, actors and soldiers. The action of this play takes place in London during the 1960s, when Gracie is preparing for another appearance on the Royal Performance and suffering professional and personal crises. The arrival of pop has part convinced her that her kind of music has gone out of fashion. Then come two blasts from the past: Irene, the stepdaughter who accompanied her around the world when she was the biggest draw in Britain-and Ted, her fighter pilot lover who swept her off her feet during the war. The play ends with Gracie regaining her confidence and entertaining a new audience with the songs which made her famous.

Our Gracie: The Gracie Fields Story: A Two-Act Play

This is the first ever biography of Dorothy Squires, for a half a decade one of Britain's most feted singers, by her friend and confidant, David Bret. They met at the height of the BBC Payola scandal, and remained close for 26 years. In this book, much of which is told in Dorothy's own words and confidences, we learn of her triumphs and tragedies, her love affairs-the tempestuous ones with bandleader-composer Billy Reid and the actor Roger Moore, whom she married-and those she kept secret from all but her most intimate circle. Bret and Dorothy Squires never hold back when discussing the ups and downs of her life. Her refusal to grant Moore his freedom after their marriage failed. Her ferocious spats with "the establishment" which saw her banned on television and radio, and resulted in impresarios turning their backs on her until she affected one of the most spectacular comebacks in show business history. The fight to clear her name when she was arrested and accused of corruption. Her name being included on entertainment blacklists in France and America. Her sad and untimely fall from grace, brought about by the many frivolous lawsuits which left her virtually penniless and resulted in her being declared a vexatious litigant, and which saw her evicted from her home and taken in by friends. And finally, her lonely demise, and the fights over her estate. Dorothy Squires' life was a veritable rollercoaster ride of intense, frequently almost unbearable emotion, but as Bret reveals in this fascinating and alternatively moving and sardonically humorous book, it was a wonderful life. Dorothy Squires: Troubled Diva contains over forty photographs and a complete UK and international discography. David Bret is one of Britain's leading show business biographers. He has also published novels, two factual books about The Wars of the Roses, appeared in around thirty films and television documentaries, and made over 700 radio broadcasts. Quotes from the book: Dorothy Squires: "What drives me is the applause. Once it's there in the bloodstream, you can't get it out. It's not the pay-cheque, it's the feeling that an audience loves you." Roger Moore, former husband: "I don't think you can develop a charisma. Either you have it or you don't have it, and she had it."

A Personal Memoir by Her Friend & Confidant

Dorothy Squires, Tortured Diva

David Bret's moving book contains much new information, a complete discography and a listing of Piaf's films and theater performances. It is a fitting tribute to this legendary star.

The Piaf Legend

French-born David Bret is one of Britain’s leading show business biographers and now dishes the dirt on himself. He speaks of his long-suffering mother and eccentric family and recalls the celebrities who became confidants: the chanteuse Barbara, Marlene Dietrich, and Dorothy Squires. He recalls other show business friends: Damia, Charles Aznavour, Charles Dumont and Serge Regianni...controversial figures Alice Sapritch, Manouche, Melina Mercouri and porn star Joey Stefano. He writes of his meetings with Peggy Lee and Greta Garbo and of his spats with Sacha Distel and Franco Zeffirelli. He reveals his friendship with Peter Sutcliffe in pre-Yorkshire Ripper days. He takes no prisoners when discussing his enemies, especially the abusive father who made his childhood a misery. He holds nothing back discussing his love affairs. Bret has been honest when sticking his head above the parapet in his best-selling books and when expressing opinions, and is unsparing when writing about himself...

Putting One's Head Above the Parapet: My Autobiography

Our Gracie: The Gracie Fields Story: A Two Act Play

David Bret has spent 30 years writing about the famous, but now dishes the dirt on himself, holding nothing back when discussing the ones he loved, those he did not. Born in France, adopted by a British couple, he suffered physical and mental abuse at the hands of a Machiavellian father, a serial adulterer whose cruelty knew no bounds. Unable to find love at home, he searched for solace in the arms of lovers of both sexes. Initially, these were ordinary men and women. There was a platonic relationship with Peter Sutcliffe, before he became The Yorkshire Ripper. When starting to gain plaudits as a biographer, his intimates became more celebrity orientated. Marlene Dietrich, Dorothy Squires and the French chanteuse, Barbara, took him to their hearts, as did others. In these very candid memoirs, Bret recalls his eccentric family, celebrity friends and lovers, but is unsparing towards the father he got away from only when his mother chose suicide rather than to continue suffering.

My Own Story: The Uncensored Memoirs of the Celebrity Biographer

David Bret describes Joan Crawford's rise from a Kansas City laundry to collecting an Oscar for her role in 'Mildred Pierce'. He discusses her love affairs, marriages and her turbulent relationship with her children and her mother.

Hollywood Martyr

Joan Crawford

This highly controversial and compelling biography of George Formby presents a very different Formby from the one known to his many fans. His life was fiercely dominated by his wife Beryl, a woman who was single-handedly responsible for his tremendous success as Britain's greatest male entertainer. Bret explores George and Beryl's public and private lives and the results are frequently shocking; there were secret love affairs; they hated their fellow stare and loathed George's family. Bret also describes the sacrifices they made and the danger they put themselves in whilst raising thousands of pounds for the war effort. He also lifts the lid on their controversial trip to South Africa, where they became fervent denouncers of Apartheid and received death threats. Formby's films, all twenty-two of them, are fully analysed along with his songs, and the book contains detailed appendices of these and a full discography.

A Troubled Genius

George Formby

The approved biography of film star Marlene Dietrich, derived from a series of interviews with the author. It is illustrated with rare photographs.

An Intimate Biography

Marlene Dietrich, My Friend

Marlene Dietrich called her "The most immoral woman who ever lived"; Cecil Beaton described her as a "wicked archangel"; but no one better summed up this fascinating woman than Tallulah herself in an unending succession of anecdotes and one-liners, peppered with expletives that became her trademark. Born in Alabama in 1903, she became a big star in London, England in the early 1920's. Branded "an unsafe and unsavory person" by the Hays commission in the 1930's her career went from tremendous stage success in such hits as The Little Foxes and Fallen Angels, to appearances in some of the worst plays ever written, which she turned into triumphs by improvising lewd and outrageous asides to satisfy the cravings of her largely gay audiences. Confessing to over 500 love affairs with both men and women, Tallulah married just once...to a man who divorced her citing mental cruelty. A headline writer's dream throughout her life, at the height of her fame she was said to drink two bottles of bourbon a day, smoke 100 cigarettes and take pills to help her sleep, pills to keep her awake, and pills to help her cope with the pills. But while there always seemed to be someone on hand to record Tallulah's indiscretions, the other side of her personality went largely unrecorded. She raised vast amounts of money for children's charities, delivered stringent speeches against communism and racial and sexual prejudice, and actively supported the presidential campaigns of two friends: Truman and Kennedy. In this highly entertaining book David Bret tells Tallulah's story in the only way it could be told: with shocking honesty and wit. What emerges is a vivid portrait of an immoral and wicked woman whowas every inch a star and remains one of the greatest legends this century has seen.

A Scandalous Life

Tallulah Bankhead

In the first fully uncensored biography of Joan Crawford, bestselling author David Bret follows Crawford from working in a Kansas City laundry to collecting an Oscar for Mildred Pierce, including details from her countless love affairs and her devotion toward Christian Science. Bret also divulges how her loathed mother forced her to work as a prostitute and use sex strategically, as well as what really led her to disinherit two of her four children, earning her the moniker “Mommie Dearest.” Drawing on a wealth of unpublished material and interviews with stars like Marlene Dietrich and Douglas Fairbanks, David Bret presents a fascinating portrait of a single-minded, uncompromising woman.

David Bret

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