Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator

Author - Peter Schifando ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Hardcover Book item from Pointed Leaf Press was reviewed on 6-Nov-2008.

Search ISBN:0972766146 offer from Abebooks or used books from Alibris. Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator Reference Book. Classifications : General Arts & Photography Subjects Books General AAS Arts & Photography Subjects Books Artists, Architects & Photographers Arts & Literature Biographies & Memoirs Subjects Books General Biographies & . Click the following link to view the cover of Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator.

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1) Hardcover Book Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator by Pointed Leaf Press. If somebody wrote the true story of William Haines as fiction it would be universally panned as stereotyping - a gay man comes to Hollywood in the silent era, becomes the heart-throb of millions and a top box office draw, faces being outed and is ordered by his studio (MGM) to either enter into a fake marriage or lose his contract, picks love over career, and then goes on to have a sucessful 40 year career in interior decorating. However, sometimes fact is stranger than fiction and this is one of those times.

This is a beautiful book full of the decorating work of William Haines. I haven´t found another book like it anywhere, and I highly recommend it if you´ve only heard of his reputation and are curious about what the man´s design work actually looked like. It´s a shame that his movie work isn´t as well remembered as his design work. Haines made a successful transition to talkies, and probably would have continued to do well in the movies if L.B. Mayer hadn´t forced him to choose between the love of his life - Jimmy Shields - and his MGM contract. Haines chose Shields, and that was the end of his film career. However, he and Shields worked together successfully for the next forty years decorating the homes of Hollywood´s elite, with a little help and some recommendations from friends such as Joan Crawford, a lifetime friend of Haines and costar in several of his films. Besides photographs of Haines´ work, this book includes quotes by Haines on his design philosophy, quotes by members of his firm´s design team, and a pretty good biography of Haines including his Hollywood years.

Haines and Shields stayed together from 1926 until 1973, their relationship severed only by Haines´ death. Their joint legacy lives on in their design work of which this book is an excellent record.¤

2) Hardcover Book Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator by Pointed Leaf Press. This is a very visual account of the life of one of the greatest decorators of our time. Billy Haines started out as a silent movie actor and when he refused to keep his sexuality in the closet he was fired, forcing him to change careers - and thank goodness. Schifando & Mathison take us on a journey, via photos, sketches, and other images, through the life of Haines and the evolution of his personal style. His classic interiors, which often included a touch of chinoiserie, a unique custom lamp, low chairs, quilted fabric upholstery, and other unique pieces will never go out of style.¤

3) Hardcover Book Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator by Pointed Leaf Press. Having purchased most of the major design books in the past 4yrs...this one is right up there with the best...5lbs of old hollywood chic mixed with todays blue-blood..must have for any coffee table¤

4) Hardcover Book Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator by Pointed Leaf Press. I am so thrilled to have found this book. I have tried for years to find pictures of William Haines work. This is such a magnificent book. I just wished there were more of what there was. This book is an amazine find and a delightful addition to my collection.¤

5) Hardcover Book Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator by Pointed Leaf Press. Being an admirer of nearly all things vintage Hollywood, I was most eager to read a book on this almost forgotten silent screen legend. I was most impressed by the great detail on the man, his loves and hates and his metamorphosis into a highly successful interior designer in later years. The thoroughly entertaining anecdotes throughout also kept me interested until the very end. It gives the reader an insight into a period in Hollywood that has long since been buried by time and our bizarre fascinations with the likes of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton et all.

A must read for any reader of the good old days of Hollywood.
¤

6) Hardcover Book Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator by Pointed Leaf Press. William Haines came to Hollywood after winning a new-talent contest in 1922. He appeared in at least twenty films as a leading man to many of Hollywood´s famous stars, such as Joan Crawford and Marion Davies. As Haines´ film career faded, his skills as a self-taught decorator flourished. Soon, he was decorating the homes of the elite crowd of the movie industry, including mogul Jack Warner and director George Cukor. Peter Schifando, a longtime associate of Haines´ business partner, Ted Graber, and Jean H. Mathison, who worked with Haines for thirty years, have opened their private collections to bring together more than three hundred photographs and drawings of Haines´ fabulous interiors as well as his classic furniture designs, which include the influential Elbow, Hostess, and Seniah chairs.¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 4-Dec-2008, 09727661469780972766142, 200-350-330-460-890-RIB-8

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