It's a wonder why no one's written a bio of Gaynor or Farrell before - after all, for a few years there they were among the most popular stars in Hollywood, and their movies went into the sound era; they made a large number of films together, several of which were classics (Sunrise, Seventh Heaven), and Gaynor not only won the first Best Actress Oscar, she appeared in some sound classics (A Star is Born, State Fair). Also, they had a long-running affair with each other - and/or Gaynor is one of the best known "rumoured lesbians" of Hollywood.
Maybe it's because their best films together were silents, and thus not widely seen once sound came in; perhaps it was because State Fair and A Star is Born were followed by more-famous remakes; also, to be blunt, neither of them died young or featured in a scandal, meaning they missed out on the immortality gained by silent stars like Fatty Arbuckle and Valentino.
Still, better late than never and Baker has done a very good job - well written, thoroughly researched. And the two leads did have interesting lives - plucky little Gaynor, essentially thrust into acting by her mother and step father, despite not having much enthusiasm for it; she began as an extra but her big eyes and waif appeal saw her graduate to leads then stardom fairly rapidly, much to the chagrin of her bitter sister; she managed to stay a star for the rest of her career, retiring when on top. She also made a lot of money, battling with studios and going on strike for better terms and conditions (she was a pet of William Sheehan's and later David O. Selznick's) - but also hung on to it, dying a wealthy woman.
A first marriage proved disastrous, but her second and third were happy; this was to costume designer Adrian and then, when he died on her, producer Paul Gregory. The Adrian liasion in particular fuelled the rumour that Gaynor was a lesbian, as did her close friendships with Margaret Lindsay and Mary Martin. This book doesn't support these rumours, and quotes people who criticize them - but the evidence doesn't rule it out either. Whatever she did in the privacy of her bedroom and/or mind, it's clear she did have intense friendships with women, and a happy marriage to Adrian.
It's also clear she and Farrell had an affair, though she never married him; Baker argues this may have been due to the fact Gaynor sensed that, down deep, Farrell was weak. His story was worth telling on it's own merits - coming from a comfortable family, who he defied to go into acting, Farrell's climb to the top was a little rockier, with several false stars before he hit big. Like Gaynor, he managed the transition to sound with relative ease but was never regarded as big a star, and his decline was swifter - from being still regarded as one of the biggest names at the box office in 1932, he was firmly B list within a few years time, making The Flying Doctor in Australia in 1935. (As an Aussie, I would have liked to have read more about this; Baker mentions his affair with Mary Maguire - though doesn't talk about the fact her later husband wound up imprisoned during World War Two for fascist beliefs).
He bounced back, though, helping found and run the successful Palm Springs Racquet Club, becoming a force in Palm Springs politics (including stints as mayor), making money as a property developer, then rediscovering acting success in 50s sitcoms. His personal life was rockier - a womaniser whose marriage lasted a long time but was often stormy and unhappy; he had a long affair with Diana Powell, William Powell's second wife - something I was completely unaware of (W. Powell was much older than his wife, and apparently was willing to turn a blind eye so Diana could have a bit of fun). Farrell battled with the bottle, kicked it for some years but relapsed towards the end of his life and became a hermit. At least he was rich (I hate it when they lose their money).
So not one but two stories which deserved to be told and they've been told well.
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