- published: 05 Mar 2016
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Charles William "Billy" Haines (January 2, 1900 – December 26, 1973), known professionally as William Haines, was an American film actor and interior designer.
Haines was discovered by a talent scout and signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1922. His career gained momentum when he was loaned out to Columbia Pictures where he received favorable reviews for his role in The Midnight Express. Haines returned to MGM and was cast in the 1926 film Brown of Harvard. The role solidified his screen persona as a wisecracking, arrogant leading man. By the end of the 1920s, Haines had appeared in a string of successful films and was a popular box office draw.
His career was cut short by the 1930s due to his refusal to deny his homosexuality. Haines quit acting in 1935 and started a successful interior design business with his life partner Jimmie Shields, and was supported by friends in Hollywood. Haines died of lung cancer in December 1973 at the age of 73.
Haines was born on January 2, 1900 (he claimed he was born on January 1) in Staunton, Virginia, the third child of George Adam Haines, a cigar maker, and Laura Virginia Haines (née Matthews). Two older siblings died in infancy. He had four younger siblings: Lillian, born in 1902; Ann, born in 1907; George, Jr., born in 1908; and Henry, born in 1917. He was baptized at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Staunton at the age of eight, where he later sang in the choir. He became fascinated with stage performance and motion pictures at an early age, spending hours watching early silent films in the local theatres.
What price Hollywood? was the title of an early George Cukor film, but is a question every closeted movie star has probably asked himself. In 1930, the top box office star was a gay man. Billy Haines lived with his lover, Jimmie Shields, and never posed on the red carpet with a beard on his arm. By 1933, he was washed up in show business; and by 1936, he had become hugely successful in an entirely new line of work-interior decorator. Out of the Closet, Off the Screen: the Life of William Haines details the extraordinary life of Billy Haines, the only matinee idol who ever decided that Hollywood’s price was too high and walked away from film stardom.
Comedian Billy Boone (openly gay silent film star William Haines) camps it up over lunch with pretentious aspiring actress Peggy Pepper, (his real life pal Marion Davies) in the studio cafeteria. A great scene from King Vidor's satirical masterpiece "Show People" (1928).
Hold Everything...Here's WILLIAM HAINES IN "THE MARINES ARE COMING" The Marines have landed...with a roll of drums...flags unfurled...ready to fight...ready for love!
Called "the happiest married couple in Hollywood" by Joan Crawford, Haines & Shields were together for decades, sacrificing careers and enduring persecution.
For your enjoyment: Here's a clip from the silent film West Point, starring William Haines and Joan Crawford. The footage is from a great documentary from Turner Classic Movies called Joan Crawford: The Ultimate Movie Star. I've set the footage against an early performance by Joan singing "I Never Knew Heaven Could Speak." I've also included a few photos of Joan and Bill together. "Wealthy Bruce Wayne enters West Point and, though he does well on the football field, angers fellow cadets with his arrogance. Disciplined by the coach he yells "To hell with the Corps!" which would have led to further discipline but for the intervention of his hero-worshipping roommate "Tex." He resigns anyway, but just before the big game returns to lead his team and reunite with Betty Channing, the h...
William Haines - Wisecracker, the first openly gay movie star - almost forgotten now -
You think 'reading' was invented by drag queens in the 90's? William Haines, an openly gay silent film star, 'reads' Alice Day in 1928's The Smart Set. The library is open, ladies.
Bob Preston, publicity man for Superba Pictures, uses his publicity skills in an attempt to make this fiancée June Dale the most famous movie star in the world. But in doing so, he forgets that women want to be attended to for themselves, not as objects of fame. A 1934 romantic comedy film directed by Joseph Santley about a press agent who goes to great lengths to make his actress girlfriend a star, forgetting her real feminine need for some personal attention. It stars William Haines and Judith Allen. (The Wampas Baby Stars were created in 1923 in which 13 new actresses were chosen "who during the past year have shown the most talent and promise for eventual stardom". Director: Joseph Santley Starring: William Haines, Judith Allen and Joseph Cawthorn Creative Commons license: Public Do...
Jump to 13:00 for Sermon by William Haines
When Lt. "Wild Bill" Traynor, bad boy of the Marine Corps, arrives at a San Diego Marine Base, he is surprised to discover he has been assigned to duty under his old rival, Captain Benton (... Director: David Howard Writers: Colbert Clark (story), James Gruen (screenplay), Stars: William Haines, Conrad Nagel, Esther Ralston
Lecture on Leadership given by William Haines at 43 Lancaster Gate Monday 17th Marsh 2014, this is part one of three lectures that he will be giving on this topic. Parts 2 and 3 will be given on the 24th and 31st of March respectively at 7pm in the Café at 43 Lancaster Gate, W2 3NA.
Recorded on 16/03/2011 - Captured Live on Ustream
http://j.mp/2daRDPj
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When Lt. "Wild Bill" Traynor, bad boy of the Marine Corps, arrives at a San Diego Marine Base, he is surprised to discover he has been assigned to duty under his old rival, Captain Benton. Cast William Haines ... Lt. William 'Wild Bill' Traylor Conrad Nagel ... Capt. Edward 'Ned' Benton Esther Ralston ... Dorothy Manning Armida ... Rosita Hernández Consuelo Ibera y Buenaventura Edgar Kennedy ... Sgt. Buck Martin Hale Hamilton ... Colonel Gilroy Smiley Burnette ... Sailor Delivering Flowers to Bill Allan Cavan ... Party Guest Gino Corrado ... Bandito Officer Joe Dominguez ... Bandit Dell Henderson ... Admiral Bruce Lane ... Marine Frank Leyva ... Bandit Alphonse Martell ... Lopez Chris-Pin Martin ... Carlos, Aide to the Torch Broderick O'Farrell ... Doctor Artie Ortego ... Bandi...
William Haines was born January 2, 1900-1973 (Age 73) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0354313/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 Renata Tebaldi was born in 1922-2004 (Age 82) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renata_Tebaldi