Laurence Leamer writes about eight actresses, including Grace Kelly, in Hitchcock’s Blondes.Photo:Peguin Random House; GettyTo much of the world,Grace Kellywas many things: a blonde beauty, an Academy Award-winning film star, and, of course, the Princess of Monaco.But in the new bookHitchcock’s Blondes— a dishy look at eight actresses who worked withAlfred Hitchcock— author Laurence Leamer alleges that the Pennsylvania native had a mischievous side, particularly when it came to men.“Despite her upbeat attitude, Grace was a far more complex person than most around her imagined, and far more manipulative than her angelic face might suggest,” he writes. “People huddled around her, seeking her attention, and she knew how to use them.”According to Leamer, who has written books about everyone from members of the Kennedy Dynasty to Arnold Schwarzenegger, theRear Windowstar used her charms to seduce a number of men.One of those was Don Richardson, a 30-year-old teacher at New York City’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where Kelly studied as a teenager after leaving her home in Philadelphia.According to Leamer, Richardson and Kelly grew serious enough for the future film star to take her paramour home to meet her Irish immigrant parents. They disapproved of the relationship because Richardson was Jewish and, though separated from his wife, still legally married.Nevertheless, back in New York, Kelly continued to romance Richardson as well as a number of other men, including Claudius Charles Phillippe, the banquet manager of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and, according to Leamer, millionaire playboy Aly Khan (who was also wed to Rita Hayworth for a time).Grace Kelly in the 1950s.United Archives via Getty“One evening, Grace invited Richardson over to the apartment the Kellys rented for their daughter. As always, they made love. Afterward, she pirouetted before him in one gorgeous gown after another. He had no idea where she’d acquired such outfits,” according to Leamer. “Then she paraded before him nude, except for a gold bracelet laden with emeralds.”Leamer writes that Richardson recognized the bracelet: “He remembered he had seen it before on a woman who had slept with Aly Khan.”The wealthy foreign diplomat “was famed for his generosity as much as for his sexual prowess,” and the jewelry “were tokens of appreciation. With so many lovers, it made sense that, as often as not, he passed out the same gift,” writes Leamer.Richardson, who “had no reason to feel betrayed” because he also had other lovers, according to Leamer, grabbed the bracelet, tossed it into a fish tank and told Kelly they were through.“Does the bracelet have anything to do with it?” Kelly asked.“It has everything to do with it,” Richardson said.Leamer writes that Richardson put on his clothes and hurried for the door. Before leaving, he turned around one more time to get one last look at Kelly.“Maybe Grace would be crying or wringing her hands in despair,” Leamer writes. “But it was nothing like that. Still nude, she was reaching down into the water to fish out the bracelet.”A few years later, Kelly broke out in the westernHigh Noonopposite Gary Cooper, whom she also romanced. She received her first Oscar nomination for 1953’sMogambo, and won the Best Actress Oscar for 1954’sThe Country Girl.Grace Kelly and Alfred Hitchcock on the set of ‘Dial M for Murder’.Silver Screen Collection/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Kelly starred in three Hitchcock films —Dial M for Murder,Rear Window, andTo Catch a Thief— before marryingPrince Rainier of Monacoin 1956 and leaving her Hollywood career behind.She remained married to Rainieruntil her death from injuries as a result of a car accident in 1982.Leamer’s book delves into stories about June Howard-Tripp, Madeleine Carroll,Ingrid Bergman,Janet Leigh,Kim Novak,Eva Marie Saint, andTippi Hedren.Hitchcock’s Blondes: The Unforgettable Women Behind the Legendary Director’s Dark Obsessionis available now.
Laurence Leamer writes about eight actresses, including Grace Kelly, in Hitchcock’s Blondes.Photo:Peguin Random House; Getty
Peguin Random House; Getty
To much of the world,Grace Kellywas many things: a blonde beauty, an Academy Award-winning film star, and, of course, the Princess of Monaco.But in the new bookHitchcock’s Blondes— a dishy look at eight actresses who worked withAlfred Hitchcock— author Laurence Leamer alleges that the Pennsylvania native had a mischievous side, particularly when it came to men.“Despite her upbeat attitude, Grace was a far more complex person than most around her imagined, and far more manipulative than her angelic face might suggest,” he writes. “People huddled around her, seeking her attention, and she knew how to use them.”According to Leamer, who has written books about everyone from members of the Kennedy Dynasty to Arnold Schwarzenegger, theRear Windowstar used her charms to seduce a number of men.One of those was Don Richardson, a 30-year-old teacher at New York City’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where Kelly studied as a teenager after leaving her home in Philadelphia.According to Leamer, Richardson and Kelly grew serious enough for the future film star to take her paramour home to meet her Irish immigrant parents. They disapproved of the relationship because Richardson was Jewish and, though separated from his wife, still legally married.Nevertheless, back in New York, Kelly continued to romance Richardson as well as a number of other men, including Claudius Charles Phillippe, the banquet manager of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and, according to Leamer, millionaire playboy Aly Khan (who was also wed to Rita Hayworth for a time).Grace Kelly in the 1950s.United Archives via Getty“One evening, Grace invited Richardson over to the apartment the Kellys rented for their daughter. As always, they made love. Afterward, she pirouetted before him in one gorgeous gown after another. He had no idea where she’d acquired such outfits,” according to Leamer. “Then she paraded before him nude, except for a gold bracelet laden with emeralds.”Leamer writes that Richardson recognized the bracelet: “He remembered he had seen it before on a woman who had slept with Aly Khan.”The wealthy foreign diplomat “was famed for his generosity as much as for his sexual prowess,” and the jewelry “were tokens of appreciation. With so many lovers, it made sense that, as often as not, he passed out the same gift,” writes Leamer.Richardson, who “had no reason to feel betrayed” because he also had other lovers, according to Leamer, grabbed the bracelet, tossed it into a fish tank and told Kelly they were through.“Does the bracelet have anything to do with it?” Kelly asked.“It has everything to do with it,” Richardson said.Leamer writes that Richardson put on his clothes and hurried for the door. Before leaving, he turned around one more time to get one last look at Kelly.“Maybe Grace would be crying or wringing her hands in despair,” Leamer writes. “But it was nothing like that. Still nude, she was reaching down into the water to fish out the bracelet.”A few years later, Kelly broke out in the westernHigh Noonopposite Gary Cooper, whom she also romanced. She received her first Oscar nomination for 1953’sMogambo, and won the Best Actress Oscar for 1954’sThe Country Girl.Grace Kelly and Alfred Hitchcock on the set of ‘Dial M for Murder’.Silver Screen Collection/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Kelly starred in three Hitchcock films —Dial M for Murder,Rear Window, andTo Catch a Thief— before marryingPrince Rainier of Monacoin 1956 and leaving her Hollywood career behind.She remained married to Rainieruntil her death from injuries as a result of a car accident in 1982.Leamer’s book delves into stories about June Howard-Tripp, Madeleine Carroll,Ingrid Bergman,Janet Leigh,Kim Novak,Eva Marie Saint, andTippi Hedren.Hitchcock’s Blondes: The Unforgettable Women Behind the Legendary Director’s Dark Obsessionis available now.
To much of the world,Grace Kellywas many things: a blonde beauty, an Academy Award-winning film star, and, of course, the Princess of Monaco.
But in the new bookHitchcock’s Blondes— a dishy look at eight actresses who worked withAlfred Hitchcock— author Laurence Leamer alleges that the Pennsylvania native had a mischievous side, particularly when it came to men.
“Despite her upbeat attitude, Grace was a far more complex person than most around her imagined, and far more manipulative than her angelic face might suggest,” he writes. “People huddled around her, seeking her attention, and she knew how to use them.”
According to Leamer, who has written books about everyone from members of the Kennedy Dynasty to Arnold Schwarzenegger, theRear Windowstar used her charms to seduce a number of men.
One of those was Don Richardson, a 30-year-old teacher at New York City’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where Kelly studied as a teenager after leaving her home in Philadelphia.
According to Leamer, Richardson and Kelly grew serious enough for the future film star to take her paramour home to meet her Irish immigrant parents. They disapproved of the relationship because Richardson was Jewish and, though separated from his wife, still legally married.
Nevertheless, back in New York, Kelly continued to romance Richardson as well as a number of other men, including Claudius Charles Phillippe, the banquet manager of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and, according to Leamer, millionaire playboy Aly Khan (who was also wed to Rita Hayworth for a time).
Grace Kelly in the 1950s.United Archives via Getty
United Archives via Getty
“One evening, Grace invited Richardson over to the apartment the Kellys rented for their daughter. As always, they made love. Afterward, she pirouetted before him in one gorgeous gown after another. He had no idea where she’d acquired such outfits,” according to Leamer. “Then she paraded before him nude, except for a gold bracelet laden with emeralds.”
Leamer writes that Richardson recognized the bracelet: “He remembered he had seen it before on a woman who had slept with Aly Khan.”
The wealthy foreign diplomat “was famed for his generosity as much as for his sexual prowess,” and the jewelry “were tokens of appreciation. With so many lovers, it made sense that, as often as not, he passed out the same gift,” writes Leamer.
Richardson, who “had no reason to feel betrayed” because he also had other lovers, according to Leamer, grabbed the bracelet, tossed it into a fish tank and told Kelly they were through.
“Does the bracelet have anything to do with it?” Kelly asked.
“It has everything to do with it,” Richardson said.
Leamer writes that Richardson put on his clothes and hurried for the door. Before leaving, he turned around one more time to get one last look at Kelly.
“Maybe Grace would be crying or wringing her hands in despair,” Leamer writes. “But it was nothing like that. Still nude, she was reaching down into the water to fish out the bracelet.”
A few years later, Kelly broke out in the westernHigh Noonopposite Gary Cooper, whom she also romanced. She received her first Oscar nomination for 1953’sMogambo, and won the Best Actress Oscar for 1954’sThe Country Girl.
Grace Kelly and Alfred Hitchcock on the set of ‘Dial M for Murder’.Silver Screen Collection/Getty
Silver Screen Collection/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Kelly starred in three Hitchcock films —Dial M for Murder,Rear Window, andTo Catch a Thief— before marryingPrince Rainier of Monacoin 1956 and leaving her Hollywood career behind.
She remained married to Rainieruntil her death from injuries as a result of a car accident in 1982.
Leamer’s book delves into stories about June Howard-Tripp, Madeleine Carroll,Ingrid Bergman,Janet Leigh,Kim Novak,Eva Marie Saint, andTippi Hedren.
Hitchcock’s Blondes: The Unforgettable Women Behind the Legendary Director’s Dark Obsessionis available now.
source: people.com
