Hollywood isn't just a place or an industry -- it's a fantasy that unfolds in the minds of moviegoers the world over. And talking about "who's gay in Hollywood" has always been the most socially acceptable way of talking about homosexuality period.But times have changed for gays and lesbians inside Hollywood and in the culture at large. Ellen DeGeneres "came out" to a world quite different from the one that allowed Marlene Dietrich to "stay in." And while Rupert Everett may be called "the gay Cary Grant," the real Cary Grant would never have described himself as gay -- even though he was.So what has it meant to be gay in Hollywood, not just as a star but behind the scenes as well? How homosexual actors and actresses came to define straight America's sexual self-image is only one of the paradoxical and provocative questions explored in Open Secret, a revealing cultural chronicle of gay Hollywood. From the silent era to the age of the multiplex and beyond, homosexuality has been a fact of life in the film industry, and scores of important personalities -- stars, writers, directors, producers -- have enjoyed long and spectacular careers on both sides of the camera, despite mainstream America's professed bias against gays.
Part social history and part Tinseltown expose, this entertaining book spans seventy years, painting knowing and vivid portraits of many of Hollywood's foremost gays and lesbians, often in the words of eyewitnesses or the principals themselves. Veteran entertainment journalist David Ehrenstein traces the gradual transformation from an era when gays and lesbians had no public profile in "polite" society to the modern era when many top entertainment figures are not merely comfortable with their sexuality but actually celebrate it -- and are in turn celebrated for it. In the process, he presents a unique reflection of American society as a whole and its ever-changing attitudes and values.

Open Secret: Gay Hollywood--1928-1998

Ehrenstein, David

Humor & Entertainment

William Morrow

Part social history and part exposé, this revealing, entertaining, and provocative book spans nearly seventy years as it explores the lives and careers of some of the silver screen's foremost gays and lesbians and the effect of their high-profile lifestyles on the general public. From Charles Laughton and Greta Garbo to Nathan Lane and Ellen DeGeneres, David Ehrenstein traces the gradual transformation of Hollywood from a time when it was box-office poison to be publicly gay to the modern era when many top entertainment figures are celebrating their gay sexuality--and are in turn celebrated for it. Updated, Open Secret reveals what has happened to the key players in gay Hollywood since the original hardcover publication.

Open Secret: Gay Hollywood--1928-2000

Harper-perennial

Critically examines the history of rock and roll movies, from ABBA, to Zachariah--which feature rock musicians or portray aspects of the rock music world

Rock on Film

Reed, Bill

Putnam Pub. Group

From such films as Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, and GoodFellas, Martin Scorsese has won a reputation as the most talented filmmaker of his generation. Now, with the director's full cooperation, esteemed critic David Ehrenstein examines every aspect of Scorsese's life and career in penetrating detail. Illustrated with numerous photographs, many rare.

The Scorsese Picture: The Art and Life of Martin Scorsese

Birch Lane Pr

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ehrenstein, David. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Ehrenstein, David

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ehrenstein, David. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Open Secret: Gay Hollywood--1928-1998

Open Secret: Gay Hollywood--1928-2000

Rock on Film

The Scorsese Picture: The Art and Life of Martin Scorsese