William Haines 1900-1973

 William Haines 1900-1973,

He was an American actor who starred in many MGM films in the silent and sound eras. His acting career was from 1922-1934 and his films were often humorous and he portrayed a brash young man of the Jazz Age but in sound films, during the early Depression, his popularity waned. He was once top box office for MGM and while the studio gave him new material to change his image, it was decided to not renew his contract. His salary was too high for what his films brought in at the box office.

A greal deal has been written about an encounter between Haines and MGM studio head, Louis B. Mayer, in his office with Mayer telling Haines to give up his male partner Jimmie Shields or else be let go of from his contract. This has not been substantiated and there are no quotes from either party nor are there any known witnesses. Haines did show up at movie premieres with middle-aged comedienne Polly Moran instead of an up and coming starlet. He didn't play the game of being heterosexual. His friends, such as Joan Crawford, Marion Davies, Anita Page, Carole Lombard all accepted him and Jimmie as an item with Crawford saying that he and Jimmie were the happiest couple in Hollywood and Marion invited them to her Santa Monica beach house parties.

Haines and Jimmie Shields did become interior decorators in 1935, the year after Haines' last film. Besides Hollywood homes, he was also contracted to decorate businesses and public buildings.

He was a fine actor in comedy and drams and his best films include "Tell It to the Marines" 1926 with Lon Chaney, "Spring Fever" 1927 with Joan Crawford, "West Point" 1927 with Joan Crawford, "Show People" 1928 with Marion Davies, "Remote Control" 1930 with Mary Doran, "Way Out West" 1930 with Leila Hyams, and "Are You Listening?" with Madge Evans, Karen Morley, Wallace Ford, Anita Page, Joan Marsh, Neil Hamilton, and Jean Hersholt in a well-paced excellent drama that ought to be better known. While I recommend these, especially "Are You Listening?", I do not recommend "The Girl Said No" 1930 with Leila Hyams which is an inappropriate mysogonistic comedy. Haines's character kidnaps Leila Hyams to marry her after stalking her at her place of work and her home. I realize the film is 90 years old but it had to be insulting then as well. Haines was a talented man and well-liked. His films are worth seeing.