WISECRACKER : THE LIFE AND TIMES OF WILLIAM HAINES, HOLLYWOODS FIRST OPENLY GAY STAR PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Bo Foxworth | none | 28 Jun 2016 | Audible Studios on Brilliance | 9781522672784 | English | none Wisecracker : The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywoods First Openly Gay Star PDF Book His contract at MGM was allowed to expire because, as the author of the bio puts it, he refused to "play the game. I am an interior designer and a gay man so this book appealed to me on both levels. Martha E. And she was always the kid he knew when she first rolled into Hollywood, Lucille LeSeuer, aka Cranberry. Mann, William J. Enlarge cover. It is an important book, that while gossipy in tone details the story about queer lives before and after the Productions Codes. Haines, however, never went back on his commitment to his partner, and they stayed together until Haines' death in Forced to give up acting, Haines went on to become a top interior designer to the stars and to clients such as Nancy Reagan. Getty Images. Not "Cranberry" Crawford - she was his friend and supporter until the end. Jul 18, John rated it really liked it. In the end, however, he triumphed: In his new profession of interior design Billy gained Hollywood's abiding respect, and his union with Jimmie Shields lasted nearly fifty years. By his side through it all was his lover, Jimmie Shields; their fifty-year relationship led their best friend, Joan Crawford, to call them the "happiest married couple in Hollywood. Life Oct 05, After the town burned down Haines, who for some reason couldn't go home the author gives his reasonable thoughts on this goes to New York where he is there at the start of the Greenwich Village trend. Billy Haines was an early MGM star, mostly in silent pictures, but who also transitioned to talkies. Just feast your eyes upon all of these debut books to check out and emerging authors to Haines was a hot commodity in the industry with his hard-to-miss good looks, wittiness, and wisecracks. And as a fan of Joan Crawford I was definitely aware of Billy Haines although I found it interesting when he listed the 3 women most important to his career--the wealthy unknown woman who kept him starting out, Eleanor Boardman, and Barbara LaMarr, saying of La Marr "She was the woman who meant most to me during my years in Hollywood"--no real mention of Crawford which is very interesting. As a fan of both the stories of old Hollywood and the stories of people who live life against the grain, I was attracted to this biography. In a world where truth is often distorted in the funhouse mirror of Hollywood, Billy Haines lived a completely authentic life. Wisecracker : The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywoods First Openly Gay Star Writer In this biography of the s actor who was shunned by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios because of his refusal to hide his homosexuality, Mann takes a detailed look at Haines's life and social milieu. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Haines chose Shields and they were ultimately together for 50 years. He was such a fascinating and complicated person who lived as an openly gay actor in the early days of Hollywood, was fired by Louis B. By his side through it all was his lover, Jimmie Shields; their fifty-year relationship led their best friend, Joan Crawford, to call them the "happiest married couple in Hollywood. Which is to say, surprisingly limited. He had also been in a steady relationship with Jimmy Shields, who he had been living with for several years. Welcome back. Showing Mann, Terrence —. Biography Memoir. In , he and Shields were reportedly thoroughly beaten by a white supremacist group called "The White Legion" after a neighbor had accused the two of propositioning his son. He insisted that Billy Haines Get Married. About this article Mann, William J. Published by Penguin Books. I did not like the writing at all and don't agree with the postulation that William Haines was a gay hero for not giving in, when he TRIED to cave in I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did. Oct 13, Michael Kerr rated it liked it Shelves: non-fiction , gay , biography , history. Convert currency. Brand New!. Retrieved January 13, from Encyclopedia. What to do kerplunked him in big, dumb, easy Movieland it's even dumber today where you could become a big, dumb, easy millionaire ohnight. Related posts. Ew, Hollywood! Manna, Gennaro. William Haines was one of MGM's biggest stars in the late s, playing cocky but sympathetic wise guys in movies such as Brown of Harvard. But their urns stand together at Woodlawn Mausoleum in Santa Monica, the way it should be. And again. Mayer , the studio head at MGM, delivered an ultimatum to Haines: choose between a sham marriage or "lavender marriage," or his relationship with Shields. As public as they were a couple, their home life was kept close to the vest. Mann, William D'Alton Sep 14, Benjamin rated it it was amazing. Getty Images. Wisecracker : The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywoods First Openly Gay Star Reviews And while he is a great example, heroic even, in his unwillingness to retreat to the closet like his contemporary, Clark Gable - juicy bits about other Hollywood figures are a big plus here , I just could not love the book. Home 1 Books 2. Because early film stock was made from highly flammable nitrocellulose, fires have wiped out countless original prints from the silent era. RJ Julia Gift Cards can be used online at checkout or in-store Jul 18, John rated it really liked it. For as much as such a thing as a gay identity existed in the 30's, Haines lived his life as an out man and his refusal to marry or date women put an end to his film career. Convert currency. Refresh and try again. I had never heard of William Haines before reading this. Feb 26, Ken rated it really liked it. Haines designed. What a brave man he was. February 14, History. The book is a pleasant read, well- researched and fascinating. William J. Review : William Haines was one of MGM's biggest stars in the late s, playing cocky but sympathetic wise guys in movies such as Brown of Harvard. Here is William Haines's virtually unknown story - rich in detail, revelations, and scandal. From actor to leading Hollywood decorator, and then, finally, to an iconic legacy of strength, resistance, and honesty, William Haines lived an improbable life. The studio signed him to a contract and he moved to Hollywood. Through it all, he never disguised who he was: Off-screen, he was openly gay to reporters and studio chiefs alike, and at his side at all times was his lover, Jimmie Shields. Photo: Getty Images. Haines refused, and Mayer fired him. Getty Images. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. This bestselling biography captures the rich gay subculture of Hollywood before the Production Code--before studio intimidation led to the establishment of the Hollywood closet. Community Reviews. Search for all books with this author and title. Haines's lifelong refusal to hide his homosexuality is the central theme here. What to do with his life? Wisecracker : The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywoods First Openly Gay Star Read Online Book Description Penguin Books. Soon he arrived in Greenwich Village, where he befriended struggling show people, including Jack Benny and Archie Leach--the future Cary Grant and one of several gay actors whose efforts to conceal their sexuality Mann cites in sad contrast to Halnes's forthrightness. Forced to give up acting, Haines went on to become a top interior designer to the stars and to clients such as Nancy Reagan. Once he got to Hollywood - care of a New Faces contest where the female winner was Eleanor Boardman, no-one beat a path to his door, unlike Boardman who was instantly picked as an up and comer - he was too carefree and trying to live the movie star life style. Eventually, after Hopewell was destroyed by fire, he moved to New York City and Greenwich Village, where his devastating good looks got him recognized. He was discovered by a talent scout and won a Goldwyn Studios contest in , sending him to Hollywood at the dawn of its golden era. The little kid, now an elderly mayor, says yes it happened like that, but before giving him a nickel, Shields took him inside and performed a sex act on him. Last edited by Clean Up Bot. His second, more successful career, was as the foremost interior decorator for the rich and famous of LA. Before reading this book, I was only vaguely aware that there was this early film star who got fired for being gay and then became an interior designer. Gone from the screen in , he became one of the 20th century's most sought-after interior decorators, and his pieces are still prized. We now know that loyalist pal Joan Crawford had her home toilet seats changed after every divorce. In William Haines was Hollywood's number-one box-office draw--a talented, handsome, romantic lead. It was in Brown that he crystalized his screen image, a young arrogant man who is humbled by the last reel. Joan Crawford described them as "the happiest married couple in Hollywood".