The Making of a Movie Legend

Kenneth More was the embodiment of British humor, integrity, and resilience, both on screen and off. Born into a wealthy family in 1914, he entered show business almost by accident and spent nearly two decades working his way up, including a stint at the famous Windmill Theatre, before becoming the screen icon audiences came to love.

After a long and distinguished period of service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, he was “discovered” by Noël Coward and set firmly on the path to stardom. What followed was an extraordinary run of films now regarded as some of the most cherished classics of British cinema, including Genevieve, Reach for the Sky, The 39 Steps, A Night to Remember, Sink the Bismarck!, and Scrooge.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, More’s private life was almost as dramatic as the roles he played. After a series of affairs and eleven years of marriage, he made national headlines when he ran off with a much younger actress. Later, a public dispute with the head of Britain’s largest film studio damaged his career, prompting him to reinvent himself in television.

On screen, Kenneth More portrayed courage in many forms, but his bravest battle came when Parkinson’s disease brought his acting career to an end in the late 1970s.

This comprehensive biography celebrates one of the most iconic and enduring figures in British cinema, with contributions from Martin Jarvis, Jane Asher, Chris Sarandon, Anneke Wills, Susan Penhaligon, Alvin Rakoff, Peter Medak, Barry MacGregor, and many others.