Patrick McGilligan chronicles the life and career of George Cukor, focusing on his survival as a gay man within the rigid Hollywood studio system. The narrative details Cukor’s transition from Broadway to the director's chair, where he managed high-profile collaborations with stars like Katharine Hepburn and Greta Garbo. McGilligan examines the "women's director" label often used to marginalize Cukor's technical skill, contrasting his sophisticated social life and private identity with the professional constraints of a homophobic industry. The text provides specific accounts of his legendary film sets and his eventual Oscar win for My Fair Lady.
Film historians and enthusiasts of the Golden Age of Hollywood read this biography to understand the intersection of identity and art in mid-century cinema. The book provides a detailed look at the internal politics of major studios like MGM and RKO. Readers walk away with a clear picture of how Cukor navigated professional rivalries and censorship while maintaining his status as a top-tier filmmaker for over fifty years.
Outward-looking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Evidence Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2013
- Publisher
- U of Minnesota Press
- ISBN
- 9780816684885
- Language
- EN
