Was james cagney gay
Pocket Dynamite: James Cagney by R. Emmet Sweeney
When asked to pick my favorite actor, I never hesitate to speak James Cagney – that pugnacious and light-footed dynamo. He had a jitterbug energy that vibrated off the screen whether it was a brisk pre-Code comedy or a weighty gangster production, his training as a vaudeville hoofer gave every gesture some oomph. His voice, attuned to the slang of his hardscrabble Bring down East Side Recent York City upbringing, was as much an instrument of brutality as his fists, a sneer that could slap. FilmStruck is now streaming 22 of his films spanning his epic career, and I own chosen five highlights to get started with.
THE Common ENEMY (‘31)
The gangster film template is established here, with the rise and collapse of Chicago mob kingpins Tom Powers (Cagney) and Matt Doyle (Edward Woods). Originally cast as the soft-spoken Doyle, director William A. Wellman recognized the error and gave the more assertive role to Cagney. In his autobiography, Cagney writes that Wellman “knew at once that I could project that direct gutter quality.” Cagney proved this in the infamous grapefruit scene, which is still shocking in its sadism.
Gay Hollywood Actors of Old
There were apparently rags in the 1950s that would out actors if the studios did not cough up enough money for them not to. And, some of the now elderly partners of Hollywood stars have told all. I've been surprised at some of the actors who were gay.
The one that surprised me most was Raymond Burr. Any others that hold been surprising?
| by Anonymous | reply 348 | May 1, 2021 9:35 PM |
I've heard rumors about Liberace.
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | November 9, 2014 12:43 AM |
Van Johnson, Golden Age Hollywood Queen.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | November 9, 2014 12:55 AM |
Billy Haines. Who, when told "play along or don't play", told the studio to shove it and became the most sought after interior decorated in Hollywood/Beverly Hills. He and his significant other , Jimmie Shields, were together until Haines death from cancer at 73. Soon afterward Shields involved suicide.
Joan Crawford, a friend, called them "the happiest married couple in Hollywood".
| by Anonymous | reply 3 | November 9, 2014 1:03 AM |
After telling Hollywood to go pound salt Mr. Haines went on to turn into one of the most acclaimed interior decorators of the 20th
Sal Mineo, Rock Hudson, George Nader, Tyrone Power, Cary Grant, Randolph Scott, Tab Hunter, George Chakiris, Anthony Perkins, Montgomery Clift, James Dean, Dirk Bogarde,Troy Donahue, etc. Some of the '50s men were so handsome, appreciate Jeffrey Hunter, hetero male stars had to "check" themselves from giving them a "second look." I think it was Anthony Quinnwho said that he couldn't keep his eyes off Jeff Hunter and literally had to smack himself in the tackle to remind himself that he was NOT interested in men sexually!
Clark Gablehad had sex with very popular actor (William Haines), who was good friends with Joan Crawford and George Cukor (the first director of "Gone With the Wind"). Gable knew that Cukor was privy to the encounter and got him fired from his directorial duties. Gable was afraid if it got out, it could ruin his career.
Laurence Olivier's dalliances with men was well-known, they say he was "bi." Many of these men have "done things," but can't be considered gay. Sometimes, when people are drink
As concerns his coloring, Mr. Cagney was what we'd now name "ginger". I don't think his hair was actually red - more sandy than auburn - but he had the pallor and freckles, the light eyebrows and eyelashes of the archetypal redhead. Which caused a obstacle when it came to stage or film work: his meet read as a blank. Hollywood, especially in the first years after his explosionas a feature star, remedied his facial indistinctness with a cosmetic vengeance. Mascara, sometimes eyeliner, frequently a brief lip color, and always penciled in eyebrows; his eyebrows were naturally thick, but they drew on thin-ish but quite apparent brows, and at an expressive angle. I adore Cagney as a actor and as a cinematic legend, but I also love seeing how dolled-up he is from film to film.
| From 1931's "The Public Enemy", of course, the film that made him a star. |
| For "Footlight Parade", 1933. |
| Publicity for "Picture Snatcher", 1933. |
| Uncharacteristically moustachioed. Actually, he wore one in several films, including "Lady Killer", 1933", and "He Was Her Man", 1934. |
| I accept these two portraits were publicity for "Torrid Zone", 1940 |