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George Cukor: A Double Life
The critically acclaimed biography of the legendary film director who guided some of Hollywood's most temperamental leading ladies to immortal performances. "That rarity of rarities among Hollywood biographies: a full-bodied study of a man and his metier, equally insightful about the life and the art".--New York Times Book Review. Three 8-page photo inserts.
Paperback, 456 pages
Published
May 15th 1997
by St. Martin's Griffin
(first published 1991)
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Nov 19, 2009
Evan
marked it as to-read
OK, so this was on the clearance shelf at Half Price for $3. The first page I open randomly, and my eyes hone in on Clark Gable's references to David O. Selznick as "that Jewboy" and George Cukor as "that fag." (As it happened, Cukor happened to be both). Cukor is probably the greatest film director who also happened to be gay, with maybe James Whale in second place. OK OK, and Sergei Eisenstein, probably. The first part of the book talks about the Cukor family's challenges assimilating as Jews...more
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“That Jewboy up there!” Clark Gable often referred to David O. Selznik in terms that did nothing to contradict the King’s reputation as a swaggering bigot. His favorite appellation for George Cukor remained simply: “that fag.”
Understandably, the shooting of Gone With the Wind commenced under somewhat strained conditions. “I can’t go on with this,” Gable insisted early on. Worse would follow: “I won’t be directed by a fairy!” When rumors began to circulate about homosexual episodes in his own lif...more
Understandably, the shooting of Gone With the Wind commenced under somewhat strained conditions. “I can’t go on with this,” Gable insisted early on. Worse would follow: “I won’t be directed by a fairy!” When rumors began to circulate about homosexual episodes in his own lif...more
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After seeing so many of his films, it was good to finally read a biography of the great George Cukor. I first encountered him when reading the life of Katherine Hepburn a few years ago and it was good to hear his side of the story. His list of "great films" certainly goes on and on and it is fitting that he finally won the Oscar for My Fair Lady.
After reading the biographies of a few directors and actors I have the impression that great movies happen almost by accident -- and the system makes it unlikely. That Cukor succeeded in making _several_ great films speaks volumes. It's sad that Cukor had to live a double life, like just about every other homosexual of the era. It just occurred to me: it's funny that McGillan didn't mention the queerish characters in a couple of the Tracy and Hepburn films Cukor made.
Minutious, extremely well-researched and well written bio of one of the greatest Hollywood directors, who also happened to be gay. McGillian does a great job at analyzing Cukor's career and his many films while revealing the hidden part of his life in a very respectful yet honest way. Makes you want to see all of Cukor's movies again.
Jun 06, 2013
Joanne
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Vinod Niranjan Kumar
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Nathan Sweeton
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