His Face Was Pock Marked, Moulded by Other Men's Fists and Too Many Morning Afters. But When It Came to Women, Richard Burton Made Errol Flynn Look Like a Monk ; On the 25th Anniversary of His Death, Peter Evans Remembers a Rollicking, Roguish and Talented Friend Who Drank Too Much and Died Too Soon... [Eire Region]

Summary

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RICHARD BURTON was someone I knew well - I liked him drunk and sober. During the filming of Becket, in which he played the martyred medieval priest, he invited me to stay with him on location in Northumberland. 'I can promise you plenty of booze, good grub - and my ego to keep you agog,' he said.

He was at the height of his infamy, post-Cleopatra and enjoying every minute of it. Everybody knew his name. Every Hollywood producer was vying to get his signature on a contract. Fans chased him for his autograph or simply to shake his hand. Pretty girls wanted to sleep with him - though there was nothing new in that.

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His Face Was Pock Marked, Moulded by Other Men's Fists and Too Many Morning Afters. But When It Came to Women, Richard Burton Made Errol Flynn Look Like a Monk ; On the 25th Anniversary of His Death, Peter Evans Remembers a Rollicking, Roguish and Talented Friend Who Drank Too Much and Died Too Soon... [Eire Region]

Julie Andrews, who starred with him in Camelot on Broadway, was his only leading lady with whom he had not slept. He treated her flat refusal to succumb to his charms as a great loss to both of them. He was, admitted one famous conquest left by the wayside, 'a man and a half'.

Certainly, he had a terrific way with women. 'I don't think he has missed more than half a dozen,' admired the veteran Hollywood actor Fredric March. He said Burton made Errol Flynn look like the head of the Cistercian order of monks.

Burton, who died 25 years ago next week, ...

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