Gay orgies in old Hollywood
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Gay orgies in old Hollywood. How was it?
In old Hollywood, especially in the 1920s and 50s, gay orgies and other secret meetings were quite common among celebrities, although they had to be carefully hidden due to social norms and career risks.
One of the main organizers of such events was Scotty Bowers, whose memoir “Full Service” describes his adventures in Hollywood. Bowers claims that he has arranged meetings for many famous actors, including Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. He also mentions that Cowell Porter often attended such parties and could enjoy the company of up to 15 young men at the same time.
“Truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
©The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
Before proceeding to the main part, let’s break the article into two parts: first, let’s talk about the most famous organizers of orgies in old Hollywood, then about the participants of these events.
Organizers
Cole Porter, a well-known composer and songwriter, was well known in the Hollywood gay community. Marriage to Linda Lee Thomas was “professional”, that is, it was needed for public cover (at that time homosexuality was not accepted by society) and to maintain a high social status. But Porter did not hide his homosexuality in a narrow circle. According to Scotty Bowers, Porter was a regular participant in gay parties and often hosted such events himself. His home in Hollywood has become a meeting place for many celebrities and young people.
Cole Porter often hosted parties where Hollywood’s elite gathered. These events were known for their free atmosphere, where guests could enjoy each other’s company without fear of judgment. Porter was known for his love of holidays and was able to create a relaxed atmosphere.
According to Scotty Bowers, also the author of the memoir “Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of Stars,” Porter was one of his clients. Bowers organized meetings and parties where Porter could enjoy the company of young men. In his memoirs, Scotty mentions that Porter often ordered several young men for his parties.
Porter’s guests included such famous personalities as Cary Grant, Randolph Scott, George Cukor, Charles Lawton and others.
Cole Porter left a significant legacy not only in music, but also in the cultural life of Hollywood. His parties and active social life helped create a more free and open atmosphere for members of the LGBT community at a time when homosexuality was strictly taboo
George Cukor was one of the most famous directors in Hollywood, and his personal life was also known in narrow circles. Cukor was openly gay, and his house became the center for many private gay parties that became legendary in Hollywood.
Cukor began his career in Hollywood in the late 1920s and quickly gained recognition for his directorial talents. He worked on such famous films as Little Women (1933), Dinner at Eight (1933), Gaslight (1944) and My Fair Lady (1964), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Director.
In the 1930s and 1940s, he became known for his Sunday afternoon pool parties, which were held at his Beverly Hills home. These events attracted many celebrities, and were known for their privacy and free atmosphere. The parties that Cukor organized were often divided into two parts: First, formal dinners for select guests, and then more informal events by the pool, where young men looking for career opportunities in Hollywood were invited.
Cukor’s parties were attended by such famous personalities as Cary Grant, Randolph Scott, Tallulah Bankhead, Vivien Leigh and many others. These parties were a place where gay men could socialize and enjoy each other’s company without fear of public condemnation or exposure.
Cukor was arrested on charges of indecent behavior, but these incidents were hushed up thanks to the intervention of the management of the studios with which he worked. In those days, homosexuality could ruin a career, and many celebrities tried to hide their orientation
George Cukor’s contribution to the film industry remains significant, and his parties have become an important part of the history of the Hollywood gay community. Despite the risks associated with revealing his orientation, Cukor was able to create a safe space for many homosexual men of the time.
William “Billy” Hines [5][6][7]
He was not only a famous actor, but also an organizer of lavish gay parties at his home, which became a center for Hollywood’s gay community in the 1920s and 1930s.
Haines began his film career in the 1920s and quickly became one of MGM’s leading actors. He starred in films such as “Brown of Harvard” and “Show People” and was one of the most popular actors of his time.
Haines met Jimmy Shields in 1926, and they became lifelong partners. They lived together and did not hide their relationship from friends and colleagues, which was a rare example of openness in Hollywood at that time.
Haines refused Louis B. Mayer’s offer to enter into a “lavender marriage” to conceal his homosexuality, which led to the end of his acting career in the 1930s.
Haynes and Shields were part of the Hollywood gay community and often attended private parties and events organized by other celebrities such as George Cukor. These events provided a safe space for expressing one’s sexuality without fear of public condemnation.
Haines and his partner Jimmy Shields often held parties at their home, where they invited friends and industry colleagues. Their home became a safe space for many celebrities who could freely express their sexuality.
Thus, Billy Haines was an important figure in the history of the LGBT community in Hollywood, living openly and with dignity, despite all the difficulties and pressure from society.
Participants
Ramon Navarro [8]
Ramon Navarro, one of Hollywood’s first Latin sex symbols, was also a member of the gay community. Navarro’s homosexuality was not a secret in narrow circles and, according to Bowers, he regularly attended parties and events organized for gay Hollywood stars. Navarro was known for his romances with young men and used Bowers’ services for dating and meetings.
In 1968, Navarro was tortured and killed by the Ferguson brothers, who were trying to find money from him. This crime became infamous because it reflected the brutality and homophobia of the time.
Cary Grant and Randolph Scott [9][10]
Cary Grant and Randolph Scott were among the most talked about Hollywood stars in the context of their alleged homosexual relationships and participation in private parties. They met in 1932 on the set of the film “Hot Saturday”. They quickly became close and soon began to live together. For more than a decade, they shared a beach house in Santa Monica and a mansion in Los Feliz
Grant and Scott were known for their close relationship, which they tried not to advertise in order to avoid public condemnation and preserve their careers. At that time, studios actively hid the homosexuality of their stars so as not to damage their reputation. For example, they shared a hotel room when they starred in the film “My Beloved Wife” in 1940
According to Scotty Bowers, Grant and Scott often participated in private gay parties, and also had sexual relations with each other and with other men. Bowers claims to have organized and participated in these parties himself
Although many sources, such as biographies and memoirs, claim Grant’s homosexuality and his relationship with Scott, Grant’s officials and family, including his daughter Jennifer Grant, have repeatedly denied these rumors, stating that Grant was heterosexual.
Montgomery Clift [11]
Montgomery Clift was born in 1920 and began his career in Hollywood at the age of 25, making his debut in the film “Red River” (1948). He quickly became famous for his roles in films such as A Place in the Sun (1951) and “From Now On and Forever and Ever” (1953). Clift was known for his deep and emotionally intense roles.
Although Clift never publicly acknowledged his homosexuality, he was known in narrow Hollywood circles as gay and often participated in private gay parties. These events provided him with the opportunity to freely express his sexuality without fear of public condemnation.
Conclusion
“The real truth will always find a way to manifest itself, even if they try to hide it.”
© Unforgettable (2017)
Scotty Bowers’ stories show the hidden side of old Hollywood, where the glitz and glamour hid the secrets of many celebrities. Individually, none of these revealed secrets pose a threat to society. But what do we get in total:
1. Similar stories often pop up and go out to the masses, it’s constantly on the radar.
2. A stereotype is taking root in society that Hollywood stars lead a debauched, depraved lifestyle. This is normal for them, despite the fact that they have audiences of millions and are idols and role models for a huge number of people.
3. All this has been going on for about a century and continues to this day.
In total, we get an endless stream of debauchery splashed out into society. There is no one to blame for this problem. Everyone is responsible for their own actions. We all know the quote from Spider-Man, “The greater the power, the greater the responsibility.” Unfortunately, there are celebrities who disregard this rule.
I think, if you want, you can do your business in such a way that no one finds out about it.
Questions with quick answers:
What other famous personalities from the world of cinema had to do with the orgies of old Hollywood?
Answer: Randolph Scott, Spencer Tracy, Montgomery Clift, James Dean and others
What were the most famous gay clubs and secret meeting places in old Hollywood?
Answer: The Biltmore Hotel – Opened in 1923, the hotel bar was one of the few places in Los Angeles where gays could meet openly.
Pershing Square is a park in downtown Los Angeles that has been a popular meeting place for gays.
Café Gala is a famous meeting place for gay people, where parties and performances were held.
The Brown Derby – Although it was a popular restaurant among all the celebrities, it was also a meeting place for gays, especially for closeted Hollywood stars.
The Tropics is a popular nightclub known for its dance nights and shows, which attracted many gays and lesbians.
To date, we are either in search of existing studies, or we will conduct our own later.
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Author of the article: Burya Egor
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