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.