Cary Grant
A Class Apart

For two moviegoing generations, Cary Grant was classan effortless embodiment of gentlemanly grace and humor. But Cary Grants greatest achievement was in creating himself and the irresistible character he became. In this savvy, fascinating portrait, McCann tracks the transformation of a life and looks closely at the sources of Cary Grants charms, which did not come easily. Generously filled with anecdotes about fellow actors and directors, a realistic portrait of a complicated man emerges. And although Grant was criticized for remaining in Hollywood during World War II, it now seems that he may have worked as a special agent for British Intelligence: in 1947, Grant was awarded the Kings Medal for Service in the Cause for Freedom, an honor that was not made public at the time. One of classic Hollywoods definitive leading men, Cary Grant was named one of the greatest male stars of all time by the American Film Institute. This biography yields a new appreciation of his work and his persona, which was at once familiar, yet always enigmatic, even to those who knew him best.