Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star
by William J. Mann
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other reviews (showing 1-16 of 16)
Read in January, 2008
Ah, what a great addition to my growing old Hollywood collection. Billy Haines was an early MGM star, mostly in silent pictures, but who also transitioned to talkies. His contract at MGM was allowed to expire because, as the author of the bio puts it, he refused to "play the game."
Haines met his lover, Jimmy Shields in 1926 and they were together until Haines died in 1973 (Jimmy took his own life shortly just three months later in response). For as much as such a thing as a ga...more
Haines met his lover, Jimmy Shields in 1926 and they were together until Haines died in 1973 (Jimmy took his own life shortly just three months later in response). For as much as such a thing as a ga...more
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Read in November, 1998
recommends it for:
Biography Fans
William Haines was a fun and interesting actor who is unfairly forgotten today - he played the "Wisecracker" who always got his comeuppance by the final reel. Devastatingly handsome and incredibly witty, he was popular on and off the screen. He was, however, openly gay (Joan Crawford referred to he and his partner, Jimmie Shields, as the "happiest marriage in Hollywood") and refused to toe the company line by marrying for appearances' sake. Gone from the screen in 1934, he...more
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Read in June, 1998
I love a biography of a film star or director that makes me want to see examples of the subject's work. This one did in two areas - Haines' films (he was a great comic actor) and his interior design. It was well written and held my interest.
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
People who love gay men in the movies -- movie historians
William Mann is an excellent chronicler. This book is a must read for movie mavins.
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Brilliant biography and long overdue look at gay life in silent era Hollywood.
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