Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood’s First Openly Gay Star

Why this book isn't on Kindle, I'll never know. It's an intriguing account of the openly gay lifestyle that existed in Hollywood during the 1920s, before the stock market crash and subsequent depression changed American morals for another seven decades. William Haines was a brash, good looking youngster from Virginia, who became the Number 1 Box-office Star in America, only to see his career evaporate due to changing moral attitudes and the undying enmity of Louis B. Mayer. When Mayer told him to choose between his career and his partner, Jimmie Shields, Billy Haines walked out of MGM with both his dignity and relationship with Shields intact. This remarkable biography is the first of Haines that I know of, and will set a standard that is difficult to top--just like one of Billy's wisecracks.

I always wanted to know more about this iconic interior designer whose modernist and eclectic work I had greatly admired in photographs, but knowing nothing about his previous carrier as a film actor,I had erroneously assumed he had been an unsuccessful and fairly unknown actor of the silent era. In fact thanks to this biography I discovered that he was hugely successful as an MGM star and even proceeded with his carrier in films following the advent of sound when a number of his famous colleagues of the time just did not have the same luck and ability. As the title suggests the author concentrates on Haines' years as a Hollywood studio employee and how his carrier was affected by his homosexuality, his determination to not hide his long term relationship with his partner, and a strong change in social attitudes between the twenties and thirties, without doubt triggered by the great depression.By his mid thirties after the freshness of his screen idol looks and the interest of the public had faded, and probably seeking shelter from the limelight following a big scandal that saw his partner charged for an act of pedophilia, Haines turned to his passion for antiques and interiors and proceeded to make a successful business of it becoming 'the' interior designer of his many friends in the Hollywood industry. Overall very informative and well researched with lots of references to his many performances in films, the author at times takes the route of the educated guess due to material lack of available information - possibly for the inaccessibility of MGM Studios files, and the often secretive nature of the subject matter -

everything written here happened before I was born. the movie industry has changed, but the people haven't. it's all about making money. today no one care who or what you are as long as you are bankable. when you stop bringing the cash in...you become invisible. billy haines refused to become an ex somebody so he became a new somebody. he was just a man who wanted everything. that's not bad thinking because this man did it.I enjoyed reading about the carrying on of all the big movie names especially when we know what happened to them all later on in their lives. but they did live !!!

l like

I knew the story about William Haines would be interesting.I was surprised to find how good the writing is. The authorhas a way of making his research be both informative andmemorable. I have already recommended this book tofriends to buy on Amazon if they didn't want to wait forme to finish it. I read it in bed at night but only about 10 pagesa night. I like looking forward to next 10 pages the following night.Paul

I had no problem with receiving the product on time. The problem is that the book was on such cheap paper that I almost returned it. The paper was pulp only found in the cheapest of books. Considering the price I should expect to find a cheap book. However the content of the book was wonderful. This is a not to be missed book on the subject of a great gay men.[[ASIN:0670871559 Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star. DOC

Can never say enough about the quality and enjoyability of this authors works. Terrific insight to the remarkable Billy Haines.

I've learned so much about William Billy Haines. He was a great talent and a brave man. LOVE his face. Thoroughly, enjoyed the read.

I thought this was a brilliantly researched book on a little known star of the early cinema. I knew nothing about the man before I read it but was a lot wiser after reading this. I get the impression that the book is more a labour of love rather than a shot at writing a Hollywood book judging by the amount of detail in it. He must have trawled through thousands of Hollywood magazines to get the stories about Haines which are so frequently quoted in the book. If the readers were so inclined they could look up the magazine and newspaper articles themselves following the references at the end of the book. From reading the book I have a much broader knowledge of the whole early Hollywood scene covering the move from the silents to the talkies which I knew next to nothing about before and it was very entertainingly presented. I was wondering how the author could fill so many pages but a lot of the writing is placing Haines in his situation - be it in the cinema, interior design world, the political climate at the time etc so after reading this you really ought to be a lot more informed on the late `20s to early `30s in Hollywood with a good glimpse into a long lost world.You might try the biography of Ramon Novarro by Andre Soares 'Beyond Paradise'. Although both men were big stars at the same time they never mixed as Haines was out and never hid it but of course Novarro wasn't and never could. Their lives reflect the consequences of their decision - and that made all the difference.

Having never heard of Billy Haines before this book, I started it out of boredom. Within the first few pages I was hooked. The greatest writer alive couldn't imagine a story like this. Haines shines through the pages. William J Mann balances Haines career and personal live perfectly. Every important detail is there and not once did I find myself getting bored. Haines love affair with Jimmie Sheilds is described beautifully, and Mann doesn't intrude on their private lives. I can't say enough about this book. You don't have to be a fan of William Haines to be interested in this book. It's what every biography should be. I finished this book being sad it was over. I plan to read more of William J Mann's books. Amazing writer.

Great find