William Haines

Ripe for a biopic!

Unfortunately it will probably fall into the hands of Ryan Murphy.....

Agree - would love to see a tv or film biography. Obscure except for eldergays. But would be fascinating. But then, not sure that James Baldwin has even received a biopic yet - and he’s more we’ll known and more groundbreaking,

He's such a part of gay history, especially saying NO to bearding and giving up his career as an actor to stay true to himself and his partner.

Ahem...

My darlings, read William Mann's excellent biography of Billy, "Wisecracker." Highly recommend it.

I have, R6, and concur.

7 replies in total for Billy Haines? So sad

Many gay men (posters to this thread excluded, of course) are just not very interested in the representation of other gay men and their stories in media, unfortunately. They don't support openly gay male performers. They don't support gay-themed projects in film or TV (unless it's explicitly erotic). They're not interested in their own history.

It saddens me, too. I'm not sure why more gay men rally around so-called female "divas" (regardless of the diva's orientation) than around content/performers that are specifically gay and male. Maybe younger gays will change that.

I just finished reading "Wisecracker." What a great story. Billy and his partner are tremendous Gay role models. Hard to believe they were together almost 50 years when that was totally unheard of. Their story would make a great movie. Billy was also best buds with Joan Crawford, you'll come away with a totally different perspective on her. She's not at all horrible in this book, but certainly has her moments. It's really more about self-confidence and uncompromised principles and just moving forward with your life and not letting others hold you back

I highly recommend it

The AMC documentary on William Haines has over a million views on Youtube. There is clearly a lot of interest in his story. If the right producers and director cast the right actors to play William Haines and his lover Jimmie Shields, it could be [italic] the [/italic] defining gay movie of the 2020's. One hundred years after William Haines' film debut and his story is as relevant as ever.

Well someone here must now someone? Put in a good word

Sadly, his story is not compelling for cinematic treatment because it had a happy ending.

He had the guts to say fuck off to the studio system, reinvented himself as an interior designer (which his friends in Hollywood enabled) and lived happily with his man for 50 years until his death in old age.

There's not enough tragedy or conflict there to drive a movie. He had enough self-esteem and talent not to destroy himself.

Every poster on this thread.

Didn't his partner suicide after his death because he couldn't live without him?

Yes, but the movie wouldn't be about him, R15.

Yes, Jimmie Shields was absolutely devastated when Billy died of lung cancer in December, 1973, saying "It's no good without Billy." He left the many condolence notes friends sent him unopened because he couldn't bear to be reminded that Billy was really gone. Jimmie himself was in poor health by that time and had been displaying early signs of Alzheimer's, which he was still cognizant enough to be aware of. Less than three months later, he wrote a note thanking his friends for their support and comfort, then swallowed an entire bottle of sleeping pills.

r11 I don't see his beauty or the 'butch'

I'd never heard of him before. What an absolutely beautiful story. I would definitely go see a movie of this

Excellent book

His suicide note said "It's no good without Jimmy". I think it is one of the most beautiful gay love stories we have, and would be a beautiful film, if done right. Which means "anyone but Murphy" in my book.

They had a poodle, died purple, called Lord Peter Whimsey, which would provide some interesting visuals.

*dyed, damn it. It could have died purple, though.

R13 There's plenty of conflict in the story. His early, seedy days in Hopewell and then in Greenwich Village, his years struggling to become a big star in Hollywood, his major popularity and then telling Louis B Mayer off and losing his acting career. Granted, it does have a happy ending (he stays with Jimmie and comes back as an interior decorator), but it's not without its struggles and then the tragedy of being beaten by an angry mob over allegations of Jimmie's pedophilia. There's a lot to work with, it's just a matter of finding a producer who isn't a total homophobe and figuring out how to condense such a heady story into a two-three hour movie. The right creative team could make this one of the best gay movies of all time. It just can't be a screen version of this, however.

Has anybody seen any of Haines' films? I've seen three, all from 1928: West Point (co-starring Joan Crawford), The Smart Set and Show People, the best of the three, co-starring Marion Davies and directed by King Vidor. He's very good playing the cocky man-about-town who inevitably gets his comeuppance and redeems himself (though his role in Show People is a bit different); his comedy is very light, and he was as good a physical comedian as any of the other silent stars.

R3 I'd like to see a James Baldwin miniseries, only if it's in the hands of black filmmakers. I believe black stories should be told by black filmmakers only. Maybe Netflix or HBO, no commercials.

He's camp as fuck in WAY OUT WEST (30) and NAVY BLUES (30). Required viewing.

His career wouldn't have survived the enforcement of the Code after July 1934, even if he hadn't deep sixed his career with Mayer the year before.

A treatment like Fosse/Verdon comes to mind, a classic mini series format without the usual Hallmark touches

What a sad/beautiful story. Thank you. I never heard this until today and now I want to hear more. What a brave and beautiful man.

I don't go to gay clubs, never have it's not my thing. But a gay club in my city has William Haines night every Wednesday, so hes definitely not forgotten where I live. Lots of young people my age turn up for it too.

So he's definitely remembered, probably because of the Joan Crawford connection.

Ordering the book as I type!

[quote]A treatment like Fosse/Verdon comes to mind, a classic mini series format without the usual Hallmark touches

But watchable, entertaining, and with an actual point.

My second posting...I'm loving this guy.

R14 Hiss

Hisssssssssss

R29 . Where do they have William Haines night? It has to be Palm Springs, right?

Sorry, but the only person interested in making a movie about Haines would be Ryan Murphy. And the only people interested in watching it would be a handful of old DL queens, so no, it won't be being made.

Class Act is still on my book list. Eventually I'll find it for a reasonable price. I was recently researching the Winfield House (American Ambassador's residence) that Trump and other Presidents have stayed in while visiting London, and Haines had a hand in the design. I would love to watch a film or mini series about him.

R34 Forest Lawn

I first heard of Billy in Architectural Digest when they would every few years review the all-time great interior designers - going back to the origins of the profession. Some of his rooms were more successful than others (or hold up better today anyway), but I always loved his chic low chair designs. Of course his life-long best friendship with Joan Crawford added to his fame. His work is worth taking a look at:

R14 If you consider Matt Bomer to be an elder gay, then that's your business, but more than septuagenarian gays think that William Haines' story is interesting and worth doing a movie on.

I'm really surprised this doesn't have 600 replies.

Wisecracker is one of my favorite biographies of all time.

If you haven't read it, do it! It's a treat.

Billy and Jimmy’s former home, was located at 601 Lorna Lane, Brentwood, CA. I know this neighborhood but didn’t know about this house. Today the neighborhood is mostly large boring apartment rental buildings.

I learned about Haines in film school in the 80's at UCLA. He described by the professor as the first leading man movie star. And the professor talked about how he butted heads with Studio Executives and he refused stay in the closet. He didn't give two fucks what anyone thought and he had no real aspirations of being a "Movie Star".

Then to turn around and become a superstar designer in L.A. is pretty amazing. His design aesthetic was more than just sofas and throw pillows. He literally enlarged doorways, added architectural elements and completely changed the architectural style of a home, in some cases. And his style is timeless and stands up today.

Interesting man.