By Cris Franco
My, my, my! Who knew that Lassie was a boy, Richard Burton changed his name to that of the gay schoolmaster he idolized and lived with as a teen, and Dick Sargent had to fend off advances by Carey Grant and Blake Edwards?
Author Boze Hadleigh knew – and he knew much, much, more! So he’s chronicled his extensive research into Hollywood’s vast archives of interviews on the often taboo subject of sexual diversity into his 26th book titled, “Inside the Hollywood Closet: A Book of Quotes.” Hadleigh (aka “Boze Hadleigh Garcia”– son of a Mexican mother) curated a century’s worth of gay commentary into a smooth 191 pages, that offers a piercing look into Tinsel Town’s tumultuous love/hate affair with queer culture.
Hadleigh, Bette Davis‘ biographer Boze Hadleigh, puts together an interesting and insightful collection of observations and anecdotes by and about Hollywood’s biggest players. Only this time the curtains are pulled on their sexual preferences, revealing a cast of characters, gay and bisexual — some you’ve heard about, others quite unexpected.
Told in a series of quotes from stars such as Colin Farrell, Doris Roberts, Adam West, Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, Paul Lynde, and Sandy Dennis, it is split into four chapters: “Playing the Game,” “Out and Outing,” “Loving in Private,” and “Dishing in Public.” Each chapter is prefaced by Hadleigh, who speaks with pride and purpose about his subject.
“What was too often deemed scandalous can now be disclosed without destroying a career. More and more, diversity and difference-not just how people look, but how they love-are acceptable. The main point here is that as human beings and yes, actors … every LGBT+ individual should be the star of their own life, on their own terms, dwelling in honesty and safety, free from hate, persecution and discrimination…” Bravo, Boze!
That said, there is also lots of fun bitchiness in this juicy collection: “Only in America can a poor black boy like Michael Jackson grow up to become a rich white woman.” – Red Buttons.
“He [the Duke of Windsor, former king of England] pretends not to hate me, but he does, and it’s because I’m queer and he’s queer but unlike him I don’t pretend not to be” – Sir Noel Coward.
But equally eye-opening are the many sweet moments that fill the pages, offering hope for a more open, loving, and honest world.
“It is time to live and let love.” – Lynn Redgrave.
“It’s a fairly small minority compared to the whole. So we must enlist the backing and acknowledgment of our families… and what family doesn’t have a LGBT member, even if not in the immediate family? All of us need to stand up to homophobia-in politics, religion, entertainment or elsewhere.”- Amy Winehouse.
“I have three sons, I dearly love them all. But my gay son is the apple of my eye.” – Sally Field.
You don’t have to be queer to enjoy the gay buffet presented by “Inside the Hollywood Closet: A Book of Quotes.” Readers interested in our growing acceptance of humanity’s sexual spectrum will find it relevant and inspiring. A great holiday gift for any cinephile, it’s available at RiverdaleAvenueBooks.com, as well as amazon.com.