Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator [Hardcover]

Peter Schifnado (Author), Jean H. Mathison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2005

William Haines came to Hollywood after winning a new-talent contest in 1922. He appeared in at least twenty films as a leading man to many of Hollywood's famous stars, such as Joan Crawford and Marion Davies. As Haines' film career faded, his skills as a self-taught decorator flourished. Soon, he was decorating the homes of the elite crowd of the movie industry, including mogul Jack Warner and director George Cukor. Peter Schifando, a longtime associate of Haines' business partner, Ted Graber, and Jean H. Mathison, who worked with Haines for thirty years, have opened their private collections to bring together more than three hundred photographs and drawings of Haines' fabulous interiors as well as his classic furniture designs, which include the influential Elbow, Hostess, and Seniah chairs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Schifando maintains the line of succession from William Haines to Ted Graber, incorporating under his own name in 1989. Associated with the interior design firm of J. Jonathon Joseph in Boston since 1972, Schifando's practical experience included training in classical interiors and furniture design. He has designed private commissions across the United States as well as the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. Jean H. Mathison first arrived in Los Angeles in 1946 and was the receptionist at Mickey Rooney Inc., a talent agency on Sunset Strip. After a two-year respite in Seattle, she returned to Los Angeles in 1955 and joined the William Haines studio where she remained until 1985, as an assistant to William Haines and later to Ted Graber. She now lives in West Hollywood where she is very active in community affairs and animal rescue organisations.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 228 pages
• Publisher: Pointed Leaf Press (November 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972766146
• ISBN-13: 978-0972766142
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 1.1 x 11.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have book! November 11, 2005

By Gregory Firlotte

Format:Hardcover

Whether you are a fan of Hollywood's golden era, interior design, furniture design, or just great photography, this book will not disappoint you. Authors Schifando and Mathison have lovingly crafted the authorative book on the man who gave up a promising career as an actor (he was the quintessential handsome matinee idol) in the name of love when the studios issued the ultimatinum of "give up your gay lifestyle or else". What the film world lost was a gain to the world of interior design --- Haines was among the most clever of designers and his impact on American interior design has been overshadowed by other, more household-name designers. But luckily for all of us, this gorgeous book rectifies all of that and now we can enjoy the labors of the authors time and time again. Even those not interested in interior design per se will find this book fascinating for its layout and pictorial flow. Kudos to publisher Pointed Leaf Press for making such books available. It will easily become one of your favorite books on Hollywood and interior design!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Class Read January 4, 2007

By Coco Chanel

Format:Hardcover

Being an admirer of nearly all things vintage Hollywood, I was most eager to read a book on this almost forgotten silent screen legend. I was most impressed by the great detail on the man, his loves and hates and his metamorphosis into a highly successful interior designer in later years. The thoroughly entertaining anecdotes throughout also kept me interested until the very end. It gives the reader an insight into a period in Hollywood that has long since been buried by time and our bizarre fascinations with the likes of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton et all.

A must read for any reader of the good old days of Hollywood.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Crossover: Movie Stars to Decorating August 29, 2006

By William G. Troiano

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is appealing to both those who are fascinated by the movie star world from the glamorous 1920's thru the 1960's. Haines world was a fascinating one with close friends from the movie world such as Joan Crawford. His decorating style was classic and timeless. The book is filled with wonderful illustrations of his work throughout the many years of his long career.