The Leading Men of MGM

by Jane Ellen Wayne

Gable, Tracy, Stewart, Old Blue Eyes, and the King were Hollywood gods; men wanted to be them, women just plain wanted them. As celluloid royalty and soldiers in Louis B. Mayer's box office army, the men of The Leading Men of MGM captured the hearts and imaginations of the movie-going public during a thirty-year stretch encompassing three wars and the ultimate downfall of a studio empire. While their roles onscreen are some of the most memorable ever captured, they often pale in comparison to the lives these men lived behind the scenes. The Leading Men of MGM exposes these legendary figures in all of their salacious glory — from Clark Gable's clandestine homosexual encounters in bistro bathrooms to Elvis's pill-popping, and Sinatra and Lawford's icy post-Kennedy jousts. Also profiling such stars as Ramon Novarro, Billy Haines, and Van Johnson, the collection offers complete filmographies and insightful looks at the nature of stardom during an era when the phenomenon was being minted. Offering a warts-and-all look at fifteen-plus legendary tinsel town stars, in addition to exploring their successes as genuine Hollywood talent, author Jane Ellen Wayne has written a must-have volume for film buffs of all stripes.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film

480 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2004

Reviews

[Steven Walle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very well written about the leading men of film back in the day. It tells of all of their exploits on film and in the bedroom. It is a complete tell all books of some of the most famous stars of yesteryear. I recommend this book highly.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Diamond

[Novelesque Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATING: 3.5 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)

I really enjoyed Wayne's previous biographies on actress so was really excited to read her newest two books based on men and women actors in the golden age of Hollywood. Her writing does focus a bit more on the scandalous side so it is more entertaining than strict facts. It is a great introduction to different actors.

Also see The Golden Girls of MGM: Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Judy Garland, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, and Others

[S S · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Golden Guys of MGM: Privilege, Power, and Pain" offers a captivating and insightful look into Hollywood's golden era, shedding light on the immense talent and groundbreaking contributions of the studio's leading men. However, it also doesn't shy away from exposing their deeply flawed behaviors, including abuses of power and moral failings. This duality makes the book a must-read, blending admiration for their cinematic achievements with a critical examination of their personal conduct. We sure have come a long way since Hollywood’s Golden Age!

[Rebecca Mclaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read

[Lynn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read, some facts I knew some I did not. Informative and I enjoyed it.

Gable, Tracy, Stewart, Old Blue Eyes, and the King were Hollywood gods; men wanted to be them, women just plain wanted them. As celluloid royalty and soldiers in Louis B. Mayer's box office army, the men of The Leading Men of MGM captured the hearts and imaginations of the movie-going public during a thirty-year stretch encompassing three wars and the ultimate downfall of a studio empire. While their roles onscreen are some of the most memorable ever captured, they often pale in comparison to the lives these men lived behind the scenes. The Leading Men of MGM exposes these legendary figures in all of their salacious glory — from Clark Gable's clandestine homosexual encounters in bistro bathrooms to Elvis's pill-popping, and Sinatra and Lawford's icy post-Kennedy jousts. Also profiling such stars as Ramon Novarro, Billy Haines, and Van Johnson, the collection offers complete filmographies and insightful looks at the nature of stardom during an era when the phenomenon was being minted. Offering a warts-and-all look at fifteen-plus legendary tinsel town stars, in addition to exploring their successes as genuine Hollywood talent, author Jane Ellen Wayne has written a must-have volume for film buffs of all stripes.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting back stories on some of MGM's biggest male stars, but it read more like a gossip rag or tabloid. The author focuses on the "bad" things of the actors - affairs, drug use, problems with the law, etc. She has a definite bias against certain stars and doesn't always have her facts right. She also does a lot of assuming, mostly in the form of quoting conversations that took place in private, without having any real clue as to the exact words of the conversation.

Not bad, if you read it with a grain of salt.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A highly gossipy book detailing the personal lives of MGM's male stars (Wayne also wrote "The Golden Girls of MGM"). I picked it up to learn more about Irving Thalberg, the director and one of the founders of MGM, but it covers better-known actors from Clark Gable to Frank Sinatra.

It perpetuates the story of the involvement of Bobby Kennedy and Peter Lawton in the death of Marilyn Monroe, among dozens of other tales of sex and scandal.

[McKayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting to find out that Hollywood is or was mostly a boys only club. Boy the men in those days got away with so much, while the women were controled at every turn. A perfect companion piece to The Golden Girls of MGM. Good read for anyone who would like to know more our Golden Hollywood.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was very interesting, but as the other reviewer stated, it does have a very "gossip" feel to it. But I am not sure that a book about the lives and loves of movie stars coule read any other way.

[Laurie V · Rating 3 out of 5]

The leading men of MGM were all crazy...except Robert Taylor. He was married to crazy.

[Tahnee · Rating 2 out of 5]

full of factual errors