Roger Lewis' book, "Erotic Vagrancy," explores the lifestyle and affairs of two renowned actors in the 1960s. The title is derived from a term used by the Pope to condemn the couple for their affair, which started during the filming of "Cleopatra" in 1963.

The book shares the careless lifestyle of Elizabeth Taylor, with the actress' health at risk of contracting Malta fever from her dogs.

Elizabeth Taylor's Health Struggles

Taylor received 1 million dollars for her role in "Cleopatra," making history as the first movie star to be offered such. However, the filming process in England was often disrupted by Taylor's continuous health problems.

In October 1960, as Taylor's health reached alarming levels, her then-husband, Eddie Fisher, was reportedly paid $150,000 by the studio to ensure Taylor's presence on set. Fisher described that Taylor was 'popping pills and drinking most of the day.' Meanwhile, he was also reported to be struggling with methamphetamine addiction. 

Writer Truman Capote, during a visit, found Taylor's living quarters in a state of disarray, filled with shedding cats, unhousebroken dogs, and overall disorder. This chaotic environment took a toll on Taylor's health, leading to a diagnosis of Malta fever or brucellosis, likely contracted from her close interaction with her numerous pets.

Taylor's health continued to deteriorate, with a severe case of pneumonia in March 1961 that left her unconscious. Media mistakenly reported her death, and filming for "Cleopatra" came to a halt. By the time Taylor was released, 7 million dollars had been wasted, and the sets were demolished.

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Affair With Richard Burton

When filming resumed in Rome, Richard Burton joined the cast opposite Taylor, beginning a torrid affair. The couple's blatant relationship drew attention, with even the Vatican labeling it as 'erotic vagrancy.' The duo reportedly used all the money they earned from their lucrative entertainment industry salaries on lavish expenses, ranging from luxurious vacations to Taylor's extensive jewelry collection.

The couple were known for booking numerous rooms in prestigious hotels for their entourage and were reported to have been troublesome guests. Lewis labeled Taylor as a 'slattern,' describing the aftermath of her bathroom use as chaotic. Lewis shared that a clerk at the Beverly Hills Hotel likened it to a 'cyclone hitting a Bloomingdale's cosmetics counter.'

Despite leaving their spouses and marrying in 1964, Burton and Taylor's union was far from stable. The actors would argue, with Burton ridiculing Taylor for her lack of formal education and not knowing Shakespeare. Taylor, in turn, defended herself as someone who did not need knowledge about the theater as she was already successful.

Even during their marriage, Taylor's housekeeping habits remained unchanged. Lewis described their residences as disastrous, comparing it to the aftermath of an invading army, with dog excrement and mess requiring days to clean up.

Taylor's reliance on pills, Burton's advanced stage of alcoholism and affair with actor Nathalie Delon, and the couple's hectic lifestyle ultimately led to their separation. Burton and Taylor's marriage lasted nearly 10 years, with divorce in 1974, a brief reconciliation in 1975, and a final split in 1976.

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