the golden age of hollywood, a period that spanned the 1930s to the 1950s, presented a complex and often contradictory landscape for those in the entertainment industry. while the era saw the rise of cinematic artistry and iconic stars, it also operated under the strictures of the production code.
this code, officially adopted in 1934, imposed rigid moral guidelines on film content, effectively censoring depictions of "sexual perversion," a term that included homosexuality.
a secret haven: the undercurrent of queerness
despite the code's restrictions, the presence of gay men and lesbians in hollywood was undeniable.
the film industry, in many ways, became a secret haven for lgbtq+ individuals. they worked as actors, writers, designers, and technicians, contributing to the very fabric of the movies. though their personal lives were largely shielded from public scrutiny, their influence subtly permeated the films they helped create.
as film historian richard barrios noted, "the film industry was perhaps the country's biggest secret haven for gay men and lesbians, who were under contract to all studios as creative personnel, staff, and talent."
on the screen, gay characters were often subtly presented.
these roles, sometimes played by straight actors seeking comedic appeal, were frequently effeminate or flamboyant, providing comedic relief. notable examples include character actors like edward everett horton, franklin pangborn, eric blore, and billy dewolfe, who built careers playing such roles.
the code's impact and the art of suggestion
the production code's influence profoundly shaped the portrayal of queerness.
direct representations of homosexuality were largely prohibited. the code's intent, driven by the catholic church's legion of decency, aimed to eliminate anything perceived as morally objectionable. joseph breen, a devout catholic and the code's enforcer, was tasked with ensuring that hollywood adhered to these restrictive guidelines.
as a result, the creative community utilized subtext, innuendo, and coded language to hint at the realities of homosexual relationships.
this strategy required an understanding audience, one that could interpret the unspoken messages embedded within the narratives. in this sense, the films were designed "for those who would know them."
clifton webb: a star in the shadows
clifton webb, a prominent figure of the era, offers an interesting case study.
he achieved success with waspish, non-singing roles, notably in hollywood. though his homosexuality was an open secret, it never caused any public scandal, allowing him to maintain a successful career.
webb found his place in hollywood without compromising his identity.
he became a recognized face for his acting prowess, particularly in films such as "laura" and the "mr. belvedere" series.
his career demonstrated that, even within the confines of the production code, individuals could still thrive.
the musical's influence
musicals, with their inherent theatricality, provided a fertile ground for the expression of queer sensibilities.
the freedom of the musical form allowed for a degree of experimentation, with elaborate sets, costumes, and flamboyant performances subtly hinting at the presence of lgbtq+ people. the musical genre offered a canvas where queerness could be performed, coded, and celebrated.
danny kaye's performance of "anatol of paris" is a good example of navigating this landscape.
kaye, though heterosexual, played a hat designer with queeny characteristics, which highlighted the presence of flamboyant personalities within the industry.
arthur freed's "fairies" and mgm's legacy
the mgm studio, particularly under producer arthur freed, became synonymous with lavish musicals, many of which possessed a subtle queer undercurrent.
freed wasn't gay himself, but he surrounded himself with a creative team that included many lgbtq+ individuals. the group included roger edens, a brilliant arranger, songwriter, and producer, who was openly gay. he brought his own circle of talented lgbtq+ collaborators.
historian william j.
mann noted that the unit was often referred to as "freed's fairies," reflecting the significant role of gay men in creating the studio's iconic musicals.
"the wizard of oz" and the rise of a gay icon
mgm's "the wizard of oz," released in 1939, has a complex and fascinating history with the lgbtq+ community.
it quickly became a lasting cultural touchstone. the film's themes of self-discovery, finding one's place in the world, and the journey from a mundane existence to an extraordinary one resonated strongly with many gays and lesbians.
the phrase "friends of dorothy" became a euphemism for gay men, possibly originating during world war ii.
this helped foster a sense of community. the film's iconography, particularly after its television broadcasts in the 1950s, took hold in the american gay mindset. the film offered numerous elements that could be interpreted through a queer lens, from judy garland's sparkling red shoes to the "horse of a different color".
the song "somewhere over the rainbow" became an unofficial gay anthem and later served as an inspiration for the iconic rainbow pride flag.
ramon novarro's tragic end and its impact
ramon novarro, a mexican-american actor, was marketed as a rival to rudolph valentino.
though he had a successful career, his personal life was marked by tragedy. novarro had several relationships with men during his career, including the journalist herbert howe. in 1968, he was murdered by two brothers who he had let into his house, a crime that stunned hollywood and revealed some of the risks faced by gay men in that era.
a few brave voices
several actresses, like eva le gallienne and elisabeth bergner, didn't speak openly about their sexuality, but their actions hinted at it.
these individuals, while rarely explicitly discussing their identities, still made space for themselves in a world where this kind of expression was generally prohibited.
the challenges faced by actresses
while men found a space in certain roles, actresses faced the additional pressure of societal expectations.
actresses, such as lee remick, encountered prejudice or professional repercussions due to their orientation. though kelly was more open than most, her career faced some struggles, possibly because of her openness about her sexuality. this reveals the specific burdens placed on women.
montgomery clift: a star's internal struggles
montgomery clift, known for his sensitive and brooding performances, was another closeted star of the era.
clift struggled with fame and internal conflicts. the film documentary "making montgomery clift" highlighted that his substance abuse was not rooted in his sexuality, but in the difficulties associated with his stardom. though he never publicly discussed his sexuality, his close friend, elizabeth taylor, disclosed it at the glaad media awards after his death.
clift's story reveals the profound toll that secrecy and societal pressure could take on lgbtq+ stars.
ruby dandridge: paving the way for future generations
ruby dandridge, while not achieving the same level of fame as her daughter dorothy dandridge, played a crucial role in paving the way for her daughter's success.
her career allowed her to appear in significant films. although information regarding her personal life remains sparse, her impact on dorothy's trajectory is undeniable. she continued acting into the 1950s.
adrian's influence: fashion's gay pioneer
adrian, a renowned costume designer, significantly influenced fashion on and off the screen.
from his work on "the wizard of oz" to dressing stars such as joan crawford, greta garbo, and katharine hepburn, his contributions were invaluable. while married to janet gaynor, their marriage was likely a "lavender marriage," intended to dispel rumors of his homosexuality.
adrian's impact on hollywood fashion is undeniable.
rock hudson: a public face of a private struggle
rock hudson, born roy harold scherer jr., became a prominent hollywood heartthrob. he was manufactured for stardom by the studio system. hudson found success in dramas and comedies.
however, his career began to decline in the late 1960s. in 1984, he was diagnosed with hiv and, despite attempts to hide his illness, eventually became the first celebrity to publicly reveal he had aids. hudson's legacy, particularly his courage in the face of terminal illness, became a significant milestone for the lgbtq+ community.
a lasting legacy: recognizing the pioneers
the gay actors of the 1940s navigated the restrictive moral landscape of hollywood with both courage and discretion.
despite societal pressures, these individuals contributed to the magic of cinema, shaping the art form and the lives of those who watched their performances. their contributions shaped the hollywood we continue to be amazed by. they helped to enrich the cultural landscape.
recognizing them as they were is the least we can do.
these individuals lived and loved during a time when their existence was often unseen. from the nuanced performances of edward everett horton to the tragic story of rock hudson, their stories serve as reminders of the enduring resilience and the lasting impact of the lgbtq+ community on hollywood history.
tagged with: film history, lgbtq, old movies