I had seen this on TV last year, and was so thrilled with it that I tried to buy the VCR, but at the time there was none available. It took about a whole month to get the book at the library. The book called Wisecracker, Out of the Closet, Off the Screen was written by William?____ Mann. It is a gay-themed true life story of filmdom's silent film star William Haines who was very outspoken and free in expressing himself, which consequently brought on him many troubles with MGM's Mayer, and they let him go about 1936. But, as the story goes he was very talented in other ways especially in Interior Decorating; fascinating reading of the homes he decorated for the stars beginning with Joan Crawford, who was his mentor. It is a tearjerker of a story.
6 Reviews
What Price Hollywood?
AlsExGal19 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Made in 2001, this documentary somewhat shows its age, still talking about "closeted Hollywood". How could they know that 15 years later gay men and women would openly serve in the military and be able to marry legally in all 50 states.
But you can't know the future when you are talking about the past. This documentary is good because it is the only one I know of that talks about the complete life of silent and early talkie star William Haines from his birth at literally the turn of the 20th century in Virginia to a well to do family.
"Billy", as he is called throughout the documentary, was very athletic but from an early age preferred his mother's craft - interior decoration, even redecorating his own room at home. Then at age 14 he discovers his sexuality and runs away from home. The documentary follows his dance hall days in Hopewell, his partying days in New York, discovery by a Fox Studios agent in 1922 and moving to Hollywood, and goes all through not only his acting career, but his stark refusal to Louis B. Mayer's command in 1933 to get married - just for a year - and send his lover of seven years, Jimmy Shields, to Europe for that year so the studio could have something to point to that would disprove all of the rumors of his homosexuality in the press. It must have been tempting...just one year in return for his acting career. But he said no an was fired on the spot.
With the help of long time friend Joan Crawford - they were friends for a lifetime - William Haines transformed himself into the interior decorator of the stars. First he did Crawford's house, then Carole Lombard's for free just for the publicity, and it worked. Until his death, Haines was sought out by wealthy people throughout the nation. Seven years after his death his design company was commissioned by Nancy Reagan to redecorate the White House. Oh the irony.
Haines died of lung cancer in 1973. Jimmy Shields, too heartbroken to go on after what amounted to a 47 year marriage, killed himself shortly thereafter. This documentary should have been transformed into a biography/love story film long ago.
What I didn't like? The presence of Christina Crawford as the main authority on what went on between William Haines and Crawford. Well, she WAS there, but the "Mommie Dearest" vibe is just too strong to ignore. The documentary also does get some things wrong. Haines was not demoted in talking pictures because of increasing rumors of his sexuality. Instead, like Johnny Mack Brown, Haines' voice did not quite match what people expected to hear from their once silent stars. Actually, Clark Gable replaced Johnny Mack Brown, not Haines, and it was Robert Montgomery, not even mentioned in the film, a star who had no film history prior to sound, who was slowly replacing Haines in major motion pictures at MGM. Also, how did Haines get from Fox to MGM? That isn't mentioned.
As for the Great Depression starting the enforcement of a morality code in Hollywood - wrong again. There was a show of stepped up enforcement, but no real enforcement of any production code came in until 1934, after Haines was already out of films. You can find gay images in film all of the way into 1934 as a result.
I'd give this nine stars for at least saying more about this unfairly forgotten star of the 20s and 30s than any other documentary I've seen. I'd knock off a couple from those nine for the inaccuracies and a couple of important details just left out. Did you know that Joan Crawford proposed marriage to William Haines to help cover for him? He graciously declined because he said such marriages in name only never work if both parties are after the same men.
Of course the biggest shocker for me is that AMC hosted and aired this film back in 2001. Today nobody who works there probably even knows who Joan Crawford is, much less William Haines. They are too busy with the walking dead, who, by now, have walked so far for so long it should be The Marathoning Dead. I don't recommend AMC, but I do recommend this documentary.
But you can't know the future when you are talking about the past. This documentary is good because it is the only one I know of that talks about the complete life of silent and early talkie star William Haines from his birth at literally the turn of the 20th century in Virginia to a well to do family.
"Billy", as he is called throughout the documentary, was very athletic but from an early age preferred his mother's craft - interior decoration, even redecorating his own room at home. Then at age 14 he discovers his sexuality and runs away from home. The documentary follows his dance hall days in Hopewell, his partying days in New York, discovery by a Fox Studios agent in 1922 and moving to Hollywood, and goes all through not only his acting career, but his stark refusal to Louis B. Mayer's command in 1933 to get married - just for a year - and send his lover of seven years, Jimmy Shields, to Europe for that year so the studio could have something to point to that would disprove all of the rumors of his homosexuality in the press. It must have been tempting...just one year in return for his acting career. But he said no an was fired on the spot.
With the help of long time friend Joan Crawford - they were friends for a lifetime - William Haines transformed himself into the interior decorator of the stars. First he did Crawford's house, then Carole Lombard's for free just for the publicity, and it worked. Until his death, Haines was sought out by wealthy people throughout the nation. Seven years after his death his design company was commissioned by Nancy Reagan to redecorate the White House. Oh the irony.
Haines died of lung cancer in 1973. Jimmy Shields, too heartbroken to go on after what amounted to a 47 year marriage, killed himself shortly thereafter. This documentary should have been transformed into a biography/love story film long ago.
What I didn't like? The presence of Christina Crawford as the main authority on what went on between William Haines and Crawford. Well, she WAS there, but the "Mommie Dearest" vibe is just too strong to ignore. The documentary also does get some things wrong. Haines was not demoted in talking pictures because of increasing rumors of his sexuality. Instead, like Johnny Mack Brown, Haines' voice did not quite match what people expected to hear from their once silent stars. Actually, Clark Gable replaced Johnny Mack Brown, not Haines, and it was Robert Montgomery, not even mentioned in the film, a star who had no film history prior to sound, who was slowly replacing Haines in major motion pictures at MGM. Also, how did Haines get from Fox to MGM? That isn't mentioned.
As for the Great Depression starting the enforcement of a morality code in Hollywood - wrong again. There was a show of stepped up enforcement, but no real enforcement of any production code came in until 1934, after Haines was already out of films. You can find gay images in film all of the way into 1934 as a result.
I'd give this nine stars for at least saying more about this unfairly forgotten star of the 20s and 30s than any other documentary I've seen. I'd knock off a couple from those nine for the inaccuracies and a couple of important details just left out. Did you know that Joan Crawford proposed marriage to William Haines to help cover for him? He graciously declined because he said such marriages in name only never work if both parties are after the same men.
Of course the biggest shocker for me is that AMC hosted and aired this film back in 2001. Today nobody who works there probably even knows who Joan Crawford is, much less William Haines. They are too busy with the walking dead, who, by now, have walked so far for so long it should be The Marathoning Dead. I don't recommend AMC, but I do recommend this documentary.
An interesting portrait of one of the gay trailblazers in Hollywood.
planktonrules23 November 2016
"Out of the Closet, Off the Screen" is a very good biography of William Haines. While few remember him today, Haines was a huge MGM star in the late silent and early talking picture period. However, when the Production Code came in and there was a concerted effort to sanitize the image of Hollywood, Haines chose to remain with his male life partner and refused to live the life of a closeted star. This show is about the brave actor but because Haines died in the early 1970s, many folks who knew him and Haines himself were not available for the film. Though, of course, back in the early 70s there was no way anyone would have been willing to interview this gay icon. Regardless, the film is well made, very interesting and a bit inspiring. The only caveat is about the ending...I am warning you that it's a very sad epilogue to this story. Well worth seeing and a production by AMC back when it used to be a network devoted to film and film stars.
For the Man He Loved
dglink24 October 2010
Edward VII gave up the throne of England for the woman he loved, and William Haines relinquished box office popularity and his film career for the man he loved. Produced for the American Movie Channel in 2001, "Out of the Closet, Off the Screen" tells the story of a courageous man who lived his life on his own terms. With family photographs, clips and stills from his movies, and interviews with his biographer, William J. Mann, and others, directors Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato have fashioned a moving profile of Haines, who is generally considered the first openly gay star in Hollywood. The film reveals a surprising tolerance for sexual diversity and openness that existed during Hollywood's silent era. However, with the Depression's onset and the imposition of the Hays Code, the freedoms enjoyed by Haines and other gay performers like Ramon Novarro and Charles Farrell came to an end. The ultimatums handed down from Louis B. Mayer and other film moguls were: "enter into a lavender marriage with a woman or your career is over."
Adopted in 1930, Hays Code enforcement began in earnest in 1934, by which time William Haines and his partner, Jimmy Shields, had been together for eight years. While other gay actors who lived openly together buckled under the pressure, separated, and married women, Haines was loyal to the man he loved and put their relationship above his career. But Haines was not the only one with admirable loyalty; described as a terrible mother, but a helluva friend, Joan Crawford stood by Haines, kept him visible in Hollywood society, and championed his second career as an interior designer. Interviews with Christina Crawford, who trashed her adoptive mother in "Mommie Dearest," reveal first-hand knowledge of Crawford's support for Haines.
"Out of the Closet, Off the Screen" is an excellent and engrossing documentary. Although way too brief, the film provides an overview of Haines's career and glimpses of his on-screen "wisecracker" persona. His early years in New York and encounters with other future Hollywood stars like Cary Grant are sketched in. Although Jimmy Shields is shown and mentioned, he takes second place to Haines as he did in life; but then, the documentary is further titled: "The Life of William Haines," and not "Billy and Jimmy." Perhaps another filmmaker will undertake a bio of the couple in the spirit of "Chris & Don, a Love Story," which related the lives of Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy. However, whatever omissions or shortcomings "Out of the Closet, Off the Screen" may have, the film should raise awareness of an unfairly forgotten Hollywood star and encourage viewers to seek out and relish the films of William Haines. His darkly handsome looks and tall athletic physique, coupled with a playful campiness, made him a star. Those same attributes should resurrect his popularity, especially to gay audiences who can appreciate steadfast loyalty to one's life mate in the face of hostility and persecution.
Adopted in 1930, Hays Code enforcement began in earnest in 1934, by which time William Haines and his partner, Jimmy Shields, had been together for eight years. While other gay actors who lived openly together buckled under the pressure, separated, and married women, Haines was loyal to the man he loved and put their relationship above his career. But Haines was not the only one with admirable loyalty; described as a terrible mother, but a helluva friend, Joan Crawford stood by Haines, kept him visible in Hollywood society, and championed his second career as an interior designer. Interviews with Christina Crawford, who trashed her adoptive mother in "Mommie Dearest," reveal first-hand knowledge of Crawford's support for Haines.
"Out of the Closet, Off the Screen" is an excellent and engrossing documentary. Although way too brief, the film provides an overview of Haines's career and glimpses of his on-screen "wisecracker" persona. His early years in New York and encounters with other future Hollywood stars like Cary Grant are sketched in. Although Jimmy Shields is shown and mentioned, he takes second place to Haines as he did in life; but then, the documentary is further titled: "The Life of William Haines," and not "Billy and Jimmy." Perhaps another filmmaker will undertake a bio of the couple in the spirit of "Chris & Don, a Love Story," which related the lives of Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy. However, whatever omissions or shortcomings "Out of the Closet, Off the Screen" may have, the film should raise awareness of an unfairly forgotten Hollywood star and encourage viewers to seek out and relish the films of William Haines. His darkly handsome looks and tall athletic physique, coupled with a playful campiness, made him a star. Those same attributes should resurrect his popularity, especially to gay audiences who can appreciate steadfast loyalty to one's life mate in the face of hostility and persecution.
Interesting, but much too short
fubared113 January 2005
I had never heard of Mr. Haines prior to seeing this, and I'm gay and a film fanatic, so this was quite interesting. It shows how little Hollywood has changed in the last 100 years. In fact, it seems they were more open and accepting in the 1920's than they are today. A point they make frequently. Nowadays, the big stars still feel they have to hide in the closet, except today it's for fear of losing their $10 million salaries more than for 'political reasons'. It certainly can't be for fear of being typecast or they must be really bad actors. I've been an actor for over 30 years (no you wouldn't have heard of me), and I have NEVER been cast as gay (much to my own disappointment).
Anyway, despite what one other reviewer said, there is absolutely nothing about sex in this brief film. So if you're straight or pretending to be so, you need have no fear.
Anyway, despite what one other reviewer said, there is absolutely nothing about sex in this brief film. So if you're straight or pretending to be so, you need have no fear.
Great Look at Haines' Life and Career
Michael_Elliott2 December 2016
Out of the Closet, Off the Screen: The Life of William Haines (2001)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Very good documentary that takes a look at the career and personal life of William Haines. At one time Haines was a very popular silent film star who then made the switch to sound and everything was great. However, he was a homosexual, which was a big no no at the time and the MGM president offered him a deal. Pretend to be straight or get off the lot. Haines selected to stay with the man he loved and his career was over.
Haines story is a very interesting one especially when you consider he did this in the early 1930s. Even today in Hollywood actors hide their sexuality because of the backlash they could receive yet here was someone like Haines who selected the love for his partner over his career. What happened to Haines after show business was just as interesting as historians talk about the importance of his decision. There are quite a few stories about his friendship with Joan Crawford and how she helped Haines several times in his life. If you're not familiar with Haines then this is a very good way to learn his story.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Very good documentary that takes a look at the career and personal life of William Haines. At one time Haines was a very popular silent film star who then made the switch to sound and everything was great. However, he was a homosexual, which was a big no no at the time and the MGM president offered him a deal. Pretend to be straight or get off the lot. Haines selected to stay with the man he loved and his career was over.
Haines story is a very interesting one especially when you consider he did this in the early 1930s. Even today in Hollywood actors hide their sexuality because of the backlash they could receive yet here was someone like Haines who selected the love for his partner over his career. What happened to Haines after show business was just as interesting as historians talk about the importance of his decision. There are quite a few stories about his friendship with Joan Crawford and how she helped Haines several times in his life. If you're not familiar with Haines then this is a very good way to learn his story.
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