The great companion piece to this - the one that gets it all right, that sifts and analyzes the information - is William Mann's masterful HOW TO BE A MOVIE STAR, which is about Taylor but also not about her, as great biographies can sometimes be. This book is sometimes like a press release (he wanted to chronicle what, to him, would undoubtedly be the greatest movie ever made) and more often a fascinating depiction of a great, forgotten scandal (Liz and Dick) as it unfolds in front of him. alter Wanger was a 'legendary' producer whose career spanned almost 50 years, with more than a handful of classics along the way. This interesting book is a mix of wild hype and keen observation. “I have been told by responsible journalists that there was more world interest in Cleopatra, which I produced, and in its stars-Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Rex Harrison-than in any event of 1962.” -Walter Wanger A revealing story about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s tempestuous romance and an insightful filmmaker’s journal, now back in print for the 50th anniversary of Cleopatra’s release, My Life with Cleopatra shares the true story of the relationship and film that enthralled the world. Cleopatra faced countless problems during its filming and production: passionate casting disputes, broken contracts, a costly re-location from London to Rome, an emergency tracheotomy for its star, Elizabeth Taylor, scandal-ridden gossip surrounding relationships on set, and a budget of $2 million that ballooned to final costs of $44 million. Legendary producer Walter Wanger recalls the drama that occurred both on and off the set, including the incredible obstacles he had to overcome and the exhilaration of producing a cinematic triumph.

My Life with Cleopatra by Walter Wanger