Customer Reviews

Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator

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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!

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.

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.

I am so thrilled to have found this book. I have tried for years to find pictures of William Haines work. This is such a magnificent book. I just wished there were more of what there was. This book is an amazine find and a delightful addition to my collection.

Peter Schifando and Jean H. Mathison's CLASS ACT: WILLIAM HAINES, LEGENDARY HOLLYWOOD DECORATOR (0972766146, $95.00) tells of talent contest winner William Haines, who came to Hollywood in 1922 and appeared in over twenty films as a leading many to many famous stars, then recreated himself as a decorator using many of his costars as clients. Haines developed a unique style over a 40-year period, designing elite homes and producing notable designs for business leaders, socialites and arts patrons. Pack in photos in both black and white and color - many of which haven't seen print previously - with a survey by members of the Haines firm and you have an authoritative, in-depth expose which will prove an outstanding pick for any collection of Hollywood history or interior design arts.

Having purchased most of the major design books in the past 4yrs...this one is right up there with the best...5lbs of old hollywood chic mixed with todays blue-blood..must have for any coffee table

Part-time P'town resident William Mann's Wisecracker was the first (and definitive) bio of Haines, on of the silent era's greatest stars and one of its first certified heartthrobs. But Haines was gay---something eh refused to hide---and when MGM honcho fired him. Haines began a new (and much more lucrative career) as a self-taught decorator. His work graced the homes of Joan Crawford, Marion Davies, Constance Bennett, and mega-watt socialites Alfred and Betsy Bloomingdale an d Walter and Lee Annenberg; even in his death in 1973, Haines` legacy followed, with his associate Ted Graber in charge of the décor of Ronald and Nancy Reagan`s private riddance at the white House. This coffee table book is the price of a good steak dinner (with wine), but the hungry of film fans and stylists and interior designers will long be satisfied by the intellectual text and more than 300 vintage and rare drawing, illustrations and photos.

I LOVED this book! The interiors are gorgeous and elegant- and his biography is quite a story in itself. A must have for any design aficianado.

If somebody wrote the true story of William Haines as fiction it would be universally panned as stereotyping - a gay man comes to Hollywood in the silent era, becomes the heart-throb of millions and a top box office draw, faces being outed and is ordered by his studio (MGM) to either enter into a fake marriage or lose his contract, picks love over career, and then goes on to have a sucessful 40 year career in interior decorating. However, sometimes fact is stranger than fiction and this is one of those times.

This is a beautiful book full of the decorating work of William Haines. I haven't found another book like it anywhere, and I highly recommend it if you've only heard of his reputation and are curious about what the man's design work actually looked like. It's a shame that his movie work isn't as well remembered as his design work. Haines made a successful transition to talkies, and probably would have continued to do well in the movies if L.B. Mayer hadn't forced him to choose between the love of his life - Jimmy Shields - and his MGM contract. Haines chose Shields, and that was the end of his film career. However, he and Shields worked together successfully for the next forty years decorating the homes of Hollywood's elite, with a little help and some recommendations from friends such as Joan Crawford, a lifetime friend of Haines and costar in several of his films. Besides photographs of Haines' work, this book includes quotes by Haines on his design philosophy, quotes by members of his firm's design team, and a pretty good biography of Haines including his Hollywood years.

Haines and Shields stayed together from 1926 until 1973, their relationship severed only by Haines' death. Their joint legacy lives on in their design work of which this book is an excellent record.

This is a very visual account of the life of one of the greatest decorators of our time. Billy Haines started out as a silent movie actor and when he refused to keep his sexuality in the closet he was fired, forcing him to change careers - and thank goodness. Schifando & Mathison take us on a journey, via photos, sketches, and other images, through the life of Haines and the evolution of his personal style. His classic interiors, which often included a touch of chinoiserie, a unique custom lamp, low chairs, quilted fabric upholstery, and other unique pieces will never go out of style.