The Gay Aesthetic
@thegayaesthetic.bsky.social
An appreciation of classic films, vintage photography, and gay influences in literature and the arts.
When she arrived in Hollywood, she was a jazz baby as rough as a pair of burlap undies. He was already a top star hiding a career ending secret. Kindred spirits, they hit it off like a house fire. He gave her class. She gave him devotion. And they became lifelong friends. #film
January 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
When she arrived in Hollywood, she was a jazz baby as rough as a pair of burlap undies. He was already a top star hiding a career ending secret. Kindred spirits, they hit it off like a house fire. He gave her class. She gave him devotion. And they became lifelong friends. #film
les femmes du noir
January 4, 2025 at 6:01 PM
les femmes du noir
January 3, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Dorothy Arzner (b. 3 Jan 1897), American film director whose career in Hollywood spanned from 1919 into the early 1940s. With the exception of silent-film director Lois Weber, until her retirement in 1943, Arzner was the only female director working in Hollywood.
January 3, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Dorothy Arzner (b. 3 Jan 1897), American film director whose career in Hollywood spanned from 1919 into the early 1940s. With the exception of silent-film director Lois Weber, until her retirement in 1943, Arzner was the only female director working in Hollywood.
I don’t know if it was Pollock’s or the screenwriter’s idea, but when the emcee welcomes two actors to the audience in “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They” (1969), they picked Ross Alexander and Helen Twelvetrees. A telling choice. Click on the tweet, then ALT on the photo for more.
January 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
I don’t know if it was Pollock’s or the screenwriter’s idea, but when the emcee welcomes two actors to the audience in “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They” (1969), they picked Ross Alexander and Helen Twelvetrees. A telling choice. Click on the tweet, then ALT on the photo for more.
William Haines (b. 02 Jan 1900) was a major silent film star at MGM until his 1933 arrest with a sailor in a YMCA. After Louie Mayer fired him and cancelled his contract, Billy became a successful interior designer, much sought after by the Hollywood elite.
January 2, 2025 at 6:12 PM
William Haines (b. 02 Jan 1900) was a major silent film star at MGM until his 1933 arrest with a sailor in a YMCA. After Louie Mayer fired him and cancelled his contract, Billy became a successful interior designer, much sought after by the Hollywood elite.
After the year I had, it seemed fitting to end it with a viewing of “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?”, Sidney Pollock’s 1969 ode to desperation and despair. Starring Jane Fonda (returning from France, graduating from sex symbol to dramatic actress, and Oscar-nominated), it's an American classic.
January 1, 2025 at 10:16 PM
After the year I had, it seemed fitting to end it with a viewing of “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?”, Sidney Pollock’s 1969 ode to desperation and despair. Starring Jane Fonda (returning from France, graduating from sex symbol to dramatic actress, and Oscar-nominated), it's an American classic.
Jamie O'Neill (b. 01 Jan 1962) gay Irish author whose critically acclaimed novel, At Swim, Two Boys (2001), earned him the highest advance ever paid for an Irish novel and frequent praise as the natural successor to James Joyce, Flann O'Brien and Samuel Beckett.
January 1, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Jamie O'Neill (b. 01 Jan 1962) gay Irish author whose critically acclaimed novel, At Swim, Two Boys (2001), earned him the highest advance ever paid for an Irish novel and frequent praise as the natural successor to James Joyce, Flann O'Brien and Samuel Beckett.
E. M. Forster (b. 01 Jan 1879) English author best known for his novels A Room with a View (1908), Howards End (1910), A Passage to India (1924), and Maurice (1971), a gay love story published posthumously because his own homosexuality had not been widely acknowledged.
January 1, 2025 at 10:11 PM
E. M. Forster (b. 01 Jan 1879) English author best known for his novels A Room with a View (1908), Howards End (1910), A Passage to India (1924), and Maurice (1971), a gay love story published posthumously because his own homosexuality had not been widely acknowledged.
December 29, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Celebrating Ismail Merchant (b. 25 Dec), Academy Award nominated film producer and part of Merchant Ivory Productions, which included Merchant's longtime professional and domestic partner, director James Ivory. A Room With A View, Howard's End, Remains of the Day, Maurice
December 25, 2024 at 5:51 PM
Celebrating Ismail Merchant (b. 25 Dec), Academy Award nominated film producer and part of Merchant Ivory Productions, which included Merchant's longtime professional and domestic partner, director James Ivory. A Room With A View, Howard's End, Remains of the Day, Maurice
Celebrating Bob Smith (b. 24 Dec 1958) American comedian and author (“Openly Bob” 1997; “Way to Go, Smith!” 1999); who was the first openly gay comedian to appear on The Tonight Show and the first to have his own HBO half-hour comedy special.
December 24, 2024 at 8:47 PM
Celebrating Bob Smith (b. 24 Dec 1958) American comedian and author (“Openly Bob” 1997; “Way to Go, Smith!” 1999); who was the first openly gay comedian to appear on The Tonight Show and the first to have his own HBO half-hour comedy special.
#VintageMen
auld lang syne - the good years
auld lang syne - the good years
December 22, 2024 at 6:22 PM
#VintageMen
auld lang syne - the good years
auld lang syne - the good years
Cary Grant style - as seen in Town and Country
December 22, 2024 at 6:07 PM
Cary Grant style - as seen in Town and Country
les femmes du noir - Jane Greer
December 22, 2024 at 6:06 PM
les femmes du noir - Jane Greer
les femmes du noir - Coleen Gray
December 21, 2024 at 5:47 PM
les femmes du noir - Coleen Gray
les femmes du noir - Marie Windsor
December 20, 2024 at 6:05 PM
les femmes du noir - Marie Windsor
les femmes du noir - Claire Trevor
December 19, 2024 at 5:45 PM
les femmes du noir - Claire Trevor
les femmes du noir - Audrey Totter
December 18, 2024 at 5:46 PM
les femmes du noir - Audrey Totter
Celebrating artist Paul Cadmus (b. 17 Dec) known for his paintings of gritty social interactions in urban settings which combined elements of eroticism and social critique. His 1934 painting for the WPA, “The Fleet’s In”, created a public outcry due to its erotic exaggeration.
December 17, 2024 at 7:31 PM
Celebrating artist Paul Cadmus (b. 17 Dec) known for his paintings of gritty social interactions in urban settings which combined elements of eroticism and social critique. His 1934 painting for the WPA, “The Fleet’s In”, created a public outcry due to its erotic exaggeration.