A Terrible Liar: A Memoir

``Memory can be a terrible liar,'' notes Cronyn in the foreword, but this candid and witty autobiography seems totally true. Born in 1911 into a prestigious Canadian family, the author left home in 1932 for drama classes in New York and the start of a renowned acting career on stage and screen. Married to actress Jessica Tandy since 1942, Cronyn has also been a successful scriptwriter, director and producer, working with such notables as Eliza Kazan and Alfred Hitchcock. Cronyn's story is a delight, refreshingly free of mean-spirited gossip while crammed with entertaining stories about show-biz friends, including Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor during the chaotic filming of Cleopatra. The modest actor doesn't mention several Oscar nominations, his Tony and Emmy awards or other honors. This is essentially the story of his love for his wife of nearly 50 years, their children and his art. Photos. (Sept.)