| re: what's so gay about pre Hollywood? | |
| Last Edit: PlayWiz 02:16 pm EDT 07/27/24 | |
| Posted by: PlayWiz 02:01 pm EDT 07/27/24 | |
| In reply to: re: what's so gay about pre Hollywood? - dbdbdb 01:47 pm EDT 07/27/24 | |
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| I just recently took out from the library and read a biography about Haines. What an incredible career and life! Yes, TCM recently showed "Way Out West" which was fun, and that scene rather stood out. (He takes the word "Pansy" off of first referring to one of the film's female characters, so it's not coming from nowhere.) It's quite a bit dated though and the writing could have been better, especially the leading lady is written basically not to react to him for a while when he's being outrageous, which wasn't really realistic. He had a good speaking voice and was good-looking and likeable on screen, but Louis B. Mayer ended his movie career for the most part, not liking Haines' gay lifestyle or his partner's coming to the set often. When Mayer insisted that Haines drop his partner and marry a woman, Haines is reputed to have said something along the lines that he'd do that as long as Mayer dropped Mrs. Mayer as well! But Haines had been the biggest box-office star in the country in 1930, and among his supporting cast from when he was in silent films was best friend Joan Crawford. Haines had exquisite taste, part of which came from being cultivated by and basically being a kept man when starting out in New York by an older wealthy woman who had lots of artwork and antiques. Once Joan Crawford had him decorate her place, word of mouth from other movie people led to commissions which started to come in, with him doing interiors for other movie stars, presidents and the even one of the consulates in the UK. I actually like some of his silent films even more, including "West Point" and others with Joan Crawford. He played a specific type, a wise-guy who was basically a nice guy but kind of arrogant, who then got humbled, and later came back in the last reel to win the game and girl. He's worth being rediscovered. | |
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