ALEC GUINNESS: MASTER OF DISGUISE. by O'Connor, Garry. (Alec Guinness.) - 1994

London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1994. 316 pp, large 8vo (9 7/16" H). B&w photographs. "Sir Alec Guinness's performances in films such as 'Oliver Twist', 'Kind Hearts and Coronets', and 'The Bridge on the River Kwai', as well as in countless plays in the Theatre and on television, have ensured his position as one of the greatest actors of the post-war era. He seems able not so much to portray the characters he plays as to become them. But the gift is deceptive. How can he really be all the different people he has played? How does he do it? (This book) delves into the actor's complex, enigmatic personality and into the nature of his remarkable talent. (O'Connor) probes the formative spiritual and emotional events in his life - his illegitimacy, his unanchored childhood, and his conversion to Roman Catholicism. Drawing on interviews with scores of friends and colleagues, (he) traces Guinness's acting roots and, closely relating the man to the roles he has created, renders the drama of his development. With portraits of notable figures in Guinness's life including John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, David Lean, Tyrone Guthrie, George Lucas, T.S. Eliot, John le Carre and Alan Bennett, O'Connor recreates a remarkably diverse, long and distinguished career. His penetrating analysis is one which celebrates, and preserves, the integrity of the actor and the man." Very light browning to edges of text block, small light mark on top of textblock, very light wrinkling at top/bottom of spine, minor edge wear. Dust jacket has minor rubbing and very light edge wrinkling. . First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good.