Douglas fairbanks jr gay

Set in backstage Hollywood, ‘Show People’ features cameos by dozens of major stars of the period, including Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., William S. Hart, and John Gilbert. Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr. (December 9, – May 7, ) was an American actor, producer, and decorated naval officer of World War II.

He is best-known for starring in such films as The Prisoner of Zenda (), Gunga Din (), and The Corsican Brothers (). Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr., KBE, DSC (December 9, – May 7, ), was an American actor and a decorated naval officer of World War II. His first notable relationship was with the actress Joan Crawford, whom he began to date seriously during the filming of Our Modern Maidens.

His Broadway appearances included the popular A Gentleman from Mississippi in – On July 11, , Fairbanks married Anna Beth Sully, the daughter of wealthy industrialist Daniel J. Sully, in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. They had one son, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., also a noted actor. The family moved to Los Angeles in [9].

It has been claimed after the war Rake was employed as the second butler at the London residence of actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr when a letter arrived addressed to Major Denis Rake MC. But off-screen, Haines was gay — and, unusually for the era, he did not hide his homosexuality. This led to friction with his bosses. MGM studio chief Louis B. Mayer, convinced that movie audiences would not accept a gay leading man, urged Haines to keep his long-term relationship with actor Jimmie Shields a secret.

Haines maintained his star status at MGM during the move to talking pictures. Mayer then delivered an ultimatum: Haines had to choose between a sham marriage to an MGM actress or giving up his career. Mayer subsequently fired Haines, terminated his contract, and banished him from the industry. His movie career over, Haines recovered by launching an interior design firm, using his connections to become the most sought-after decorator in the Hollywood movie colony.

The business prospered over the decades, with a client list of A-list celebrities as well as political figures such as Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Haines remained with his partner Shields for the rest of his life. The light-hearted story follows Peggy Pepper Marion Davies , a beauty queen from Georgia trying to break into the movies as a dramatic actress.

Haines plays Billy Boone, lead actor of a slapstick comedy studio where Pepper gets her first break. Can the young actress yearning for drama survive the indignity of pies in the face?

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And when her big break finally comes, will it mean sacrificing her growing friendship with Billy? And can Billy rescue the fun-loving Georgia girl from a studio that aims to invent a whole new persona for her as a serious actress, descended from European royalty? Can low comedy win out over high drama? Hart, and John Gilbert. The Leavitt, opened in as a summer-only seaside resort silent film house, now offers a wide variety of programming, including first-run films, live comedy, open mic nights, and more.

All these elements are essential to seeing silent films they way they were intended, Rapsis said. Ogunquit, Maine. Courtesy Image. Staff Writer Fosters Daily Democrat. Facebook Twitter Email.