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

There are two great books about the experiences of working in Hollywood during the pre-sound era. The first, of course, is LULU IN HOLLYWOOD by Louise Brooks, and the second is Gloria Swanson's terrific autobiography, SWANSON ON SWANSON. Add to this, William J. Mann's WISECRACKER, the excellent biography of William Haines, the gay actor whose career Louis B. Mayer tried to destroy. Haines, having quite a sense of style, developed a second career in decorating, and among his accomplishments was George Cukor's house, later matched as the set for the unfinished Marilyn Monroe film, SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE.

Not only do you get a great sense of gay life during the 1920s, but the free-wheeling atmosphere of Hollywood during the era is also presented through interviews and recreations of the period. Mann's research is impeccable, and Haines' life is vividly presented, making WISECRACKER is one of the best books of the year, and a terrific addition to your film studies library!

William Mann gives us quite a gift in his book "Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star". He paints for us a picture of Hollywood in its hey-day, and in the aftermath of scandal. He allows us insight into the fascinating world of silent films. But mostly, he gives us a long forgotten but much endearing star, Billy Haines.

Prior to reading this book,I knew nothing about Billy Haines and his remarkable career, and I am somewhat of a movie buff. Billy once was an MGM top star, and the #1 Movie Star in 1928, only to give it all away for love. He went on to become one of Hollywood's most respected interior decorators, styling the homes of many stars and even an occasional conservative politician! What makes Billy full of class is not his brief but glorious movie career, but his attitude towards his life and love.

Through Mann's extraordinary research, thorough examination of sources, and testimonials, he brings to us the life of an incredible person. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enojys biographies, or life stories!

This book is very informative and full of eye-opening photographs. It reflects an issue that needs to be addressed much, much more. I already knew much about this silent star, and have learned more just by simply skimming through Mr. Mann's excellent survey. I definitely recommend it as I also recommend another of the author's books, which I am currently reading as well, "Behind the Screen: How Gays and Lesbians Shaped Hollywood 1910-1969."

I got much more out of this biography than I expected. I wanted to learn more about Billy Haines, and his struggle to be openly gay in Hollywood, and about his long marriage to Jimmie Shields. But, what I learned was how alot of people in Hollywood were gay, and openly so, but then became closeted later. Stars I never knew were gay, Cary Grant, Claudette Colbert and many others. The book was fascinating. Lots of gossip, Hollywood stories, movie star information, but more than all that its a book about the amazing life of Billy Haines, and more than 50 year love affair with his companion Jimmie Shields. The book was well researched and never really left me wanting more. I recommend this book as a source for Hollywood lovers, and for gay men and women. A story all would enjoy, and a life worth reading about.

I just finished this book and was overwhelmed. Thank you to the author for finally chronicling gay Hollywood in a way that is thorough, fair and accurate. Anyone who says this in an undocumented book is wrong: I knew many of these people, including Mr. Haines and Miss Colbert, and the author is right on. I was staggered by the amount of research he did. The people in this book were wonderful, fascinating, complex people. It is a touching, important story, and deserves to be made into a movie!