Suicide Blonde: The Life of Gloria Grahame

Written with deep sympathy, stage producer Curcio's biography evokes Grahame as a beautiful woman and talented actress doomed by her outre behavior. Although she distinguished herself professionally in such films as It's a Wonderful Life and The Bad and the Beautiful , Grahame courted scandalous gossip with four unsuitable marriages--one to the son of an ex-husband--and, as an argumentative performer, alienated even admiring directors. She underwent plastic surgery habitually, fixing nonexistent flaws. A trouper, she continued to act until her death from cancer in 198l, at age 57. The author's memories and quotes from those who knew Grahame combine in a poignant book. Photos not seen by PW . (Oct.)