“He was an example of someone living with integrity and not letting himself be defined by others.”
It’s an early example of affirming one’s queer identity as an essential part of who he was.
He was not going to change to fit the expectations of the time."
William Haines.Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Haines perhaps was overly convinced that his fame was robust enough to survive Mayer’s attempts to blackball him.
But Haines hardly left Hollywood with his tail between his legs.
Though he retired from acting in 1935, there was no fade into obscurity.
William Haines in ‘Just a Gigolo’.Everett Collection
His second career started rather accidentally, within the confines of his own home.
Haines did have one notable opportunity to return to the silver screen.
But Haines was an extremely prominent designer by that time, and he declined.
Though Haines' choice was revolutionary in 1935, it remains monumental today.
Mann likens Haines to Edward VIII, giving up everything for love.
