Haines & Hollywood
William Haines: Hollywood’s first openly gay star
by Blase DiStefano

William Haines was America’s number-one male box-office draw in 1930. And he was openly gay! In this superb American Movie Classics (AMC) documentary, Out of the Closet, Off the Screen: The William Haines Story, we find out that only a few years later, MGM head Louis B. Mayer forced Haines to choose between Hollywood and his boyfriend Jimmie Shields. That Haines chose his lover tells you where his priorities lay. After all, Haines eventually stayed with Shields for 47 years. • After Mayer’s nasty ultimatum, Haines turned to his hobby, interior design. His career change was a success ... with the help of Joan Crawford. In his early years, Haines had helped Crawford, and they became (and stayed) very close friends. It seems that although Crawford wasn’t much of a mother, she was a very supportive friend. • The William Haines Story, narrated by the gay-friendly Stockard Channing, premieres Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 9 p.m. (and 11 p.m.) on AMC, with repeat airings during the month. For a schedule, visit www.amctv.com.