Providing candid quotes from the actor himself and from his many friends, Walker ( Peter Sellers ) covers Rex Harrison's life (1908-1990) fully and fairly. As his sister recalls, although he was named Reginald at his birth in Liverpool, when he was about 10 he asked his family to address him as Rex to suit his royal sense of self. And a despotic king he became as he pursued not only a career on stage and in films but also money and women. He earned his fame through hard work, exploiting his good looks and charm ruthlessly, shows Walker. He also lived up to his reputation as a cad, unfaithful to six wives and numerous lovers. The author calls attention to the devastation Harrison could inflict on women: Hollywood starlet Carole Landis and Rachel Roberts, his fourth wife, each committed suicide when he left them. But in his balanced treatment, Walker also deepens our awareness of Harrison's achievements as a captivating performer. Photos. (July)
