James Whale was an English film director, theatre director and actor, who according to Harry M. Benshoff’s book ‘Monsters in the Closet: Homosexuality and the Horror Film’ (1997) was often dubbed “The Queen of Hollywood”, having spent much of his career working in Hollywood.
Whale was born in Dudley on 22nd July 1889 and lived his life as an openly gay man throughout his entire career both in British theatre and in Hollywood; something that was rarely heard of during that era given that it was still a criminal offence.
Filmmaker and friend of James’, Curtis Harrington, explained that he was not gay “in the sense of screaming it from the rooftops or coming out. But yes, he was openly homosexual. Any sophisticated person who knew him knew he was gay."
James Whale was born into a large family and discovered his artistic talents early on, going on the study art. It was during World War I, however, that he discovered his love of theatre and drama. Enlisting as an officer in the British Army, Whale was captured and held prisoner of war by the Germans in the battle on the Western Front in Flanders in 1917. Held at Holzminden Officers' Camp, he became heavily involved in the amateur theatrical productions that took place in the camp as an actor, writer, producer and set designer; reportedly finding them "a source of great pleasure and amusement".
After the armistice, Whale returned to Birmingham and tried to work as a cartoonist, despite selling two cartoons to the Bystander in 1919 though, he was unable to secure a permanent position, and later that year began his professional stage career.
Following the success of his direction of the play ‘Journey’s End’ in 1928, he moved to the U.S. to direct the play on Broadway and then from New York, he moved on to Hollywood, California to direct films. He is perhaps best remembered for cult classic horror films including: Frankenstein (1931), The Old Dark House (1932), The Invisible Man (1933) and Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Whale also directed films in other genres, including the 1936 film version of the musical Show Boat, and The Road Back (1937), a sequel to All Quiet on the Western Front which was sadly a critical failure. Although there are some claims that his refusal to hide his sexuality was what ended his career in the film world, his film directing effectively ended following The Road Back.
He instead continued to direct for the stage and also rediscovered his love for painting and travel. He lived in Hollywood for the rest of his life, most of which was spent with his long-time romantic partner, producer David Lewis. Whale’s investments meant he could live a wealthy life in retirement, however, strokes in 1956 left him in a lot of pain, and Whale died in 1957.
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