George Cukor: A Double Life: A Biography of the Gentleman Director

McGilligan ( Robert Altman ) summarizes the disdain of the male heterosexual-dominated movie industry toward homosexual director George Cukor (1899-1983) when he quotes producer Joseph L. Mankiewicz: ``In a way, George Cukor was the first great female director of Hollywood.'' Cukor, who received an Oscar for My Fair Lady , is not portrayed as a persecuted innocent in this intriguing book; we're shown that he was promiscuous, petty and, ironically, not above stereotyping homosexuals in his films. The book tells as well of the decline of Hollywood's Golden Age because of competition from television, Red Scare blacklisting and studio reorganizations. Interesting insights into Hollywood deal-making are also provided. Photos not seen by PW. (Nov.)