Rating: 
Summary: Thoughtful and Finally, an Accurate Look at Gay Hollywood
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: Regrettably overstuffed with questionable tales
Review: I looked forward to reading this book on this famous star of Hollywood in the 20s and 30s but the author's credibility went out the window for me by his constant claims that so many of the stars back then were gay. I am sure many were and of course there is no doubt about Haines but I know for a fact the claim that Claudette Colbert "came out" to her friends after her husband's death is completely false. She was straight. Also sincerely doubt Gary Cooper was gay as this writer claims. Unbelievable accusations at other stars makes one wonder just how much truth the author had and just how much "gossip" he decided to pass off as truth since all of the parties in question are dead. Nobody is well served by fiction masquerading as nonfiction and Haines himself deserves better than someone sticking a lot of conjecture into a biography of him.
Rating: 
Summary: Tope Male Star
Review: Mann has done a great job in recapturing the feel of an era--in this case the late 20s when silent pictures were giving way to talkies. William Haines was the #1 male movie star, ranking with John Gilbert. Haines made a smooth transition to talkies but because he was gay and because he refused to shield his private life, his career was smashed. Haines is now forgotten by most, but he was a top comic actor, handsome, and courageous. Mann reveals all the sides of this film actor and throws in lots of info on his contemporaries--Greta Garbo, Clara Bow, John Gilbert, Marion Davies, Gary Cooper, etc. A terrific book.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully researched and thoroughly entertaining .
Review: Mr Mann has brought one of Hollywood's Golden Age stars to life
Rating:
Summary: Decent Bio
Review: The author of this book has a real feel for the Hollywood of the twenties and thirties. There are alot of anecdotes about various silent and talking film stars. I always wanted to know more about Haines. Many bios of stars like Joan Crawford and Carole Lombard mention him, but say little about his career. The gay angle held little interest for me, but there was enough else to keep me interested in the book. William Haines' biography is definitely worth a look for anyone interested in silent film history.
Rating:
Summary: Decent Bio
Review: The author of this book has a real feel for the Hollywood of the twenties and thirties. There are alot of anecdotes about various silent and talking film stars. I always wanted to know more about Haines. Many bios of stars like Joan Crawford and Carole Lombard mention him, but say little about his career. The gay angle held little interest for me, but there was enough else to keep me interested in the book. William Haines' biography is definitely worth a look for anyone interested in silent film history.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books on Silent Cinema ever written
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book about silent movies and Gay Hollywood
Review: This book about silent film great William (Billy) Haines is about one Gay mans' ability to overcome the hatred and bigotry that still exists today, and live a loving,happy and successful life.I found it inspiring and an easy, pleasant read.
Rating:
Summary: A sloppy job
Review: 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."
Rating:
Summary: Things you can tell just by skimming through it
Review: 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."
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