Howard Hughes: His Women and His Movies (2000)

Howard Hughes: His Women and His Movies Poster

A reclusive millionaire who owed his fortune to his father, Howard Hughes staked his fame on many things, including his credits as a producer, director and aviator. But he is perhaps best known for his skills as a Casanova, reportedly romancing Jean Harlow, Ginger Rogers, Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth and Bette Davis. Actor Billy Zane narrates this documentary, which offers a glimpse of the man behind the glamour.

Introduction and Overview
"Howard Hughes: His Women And His Movies", launched in the year 2000, is a thorough documentary centering a direct spotlight on the life of one of America's titanic figures, Howard Hughes. The film provides an account of his enormous wealth, developments, distinct business ventures, as well as his huge collection of the movie service and his notorious relationships with females. This documentary offers audiences a distinctive peep into Hughes' life, consisting of individual tales, exposing interviews with his close partners, and clips from his films.

Hughes' Involvement in Movie Making
The film checks out the eccentric life of Hughes, who began as an air travel lover and ended up ending up being a successful motion picture manufacturer. Hughes, often known for his financial investments in air travel and real estate, was likewise a critical gamer in Hollywood's Golden Age during the '20s, '30s, and '40s. His film-making venture produced numerous successful films that became commercial hits at their release time, such as 'Hell's Angels,' 'Scarface,' and 'The Outlaw.' The documentary looks into his total immersion in every element of film production, from script-writing to directing and sometimes micro-managing.

Howard Hughes and His Women
As the title recommends, the movie also critically takes a look at Hughes' relationships with numerous Hollywood starlets. Exposing the intimate and frequently complicated experiences with his leading girls, which led to his track record as a well-known womanizer in Hollywood, is a big focus of the documentary. Relationships with well-known starlets like Katharine Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Jean Harlow are unwinded, revealing Hughes' fascination and fixation with beautiful actresses, often utilizing his power and wealth to control their personal and professional lives.

Struggle with Mental Health
While depicting Hughes' immense success, the documentary likewise exposes his continuous battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder. His obsessive nature significantly impacted his way of life, prompting bouts of seclusion and eccentric habits. This ultimately handicapped him, turning the successful aviator, businessman, and film mogul into a recluse in the later years of his life.

Interviews and Personal Accounts
The film creatively uses interviews with Hughes' close allies, company partners, along with the ladies in his life, presenting the audiences with first-hand accounts of his life, his personality, and eccentricities. The inclusion of these individual stories brings depth to the narrative, painting a vivid image of who Hughes was beyond the headlines and the rumors.

Conclusion
In a nutshell, "Howard Hughes: His Women And His Movies", is an interesting delve into the enigma that was Howard Hughes. It wonderfully explored his contributions to movie theater, his affairs with leading Hollywood starlets, and his struggle with his mental health. This documentary develops a well balanced narrative that offers viewers a more comprehensive understanding of Hughes' life, strengths, and defects; thus humanizing him and elucidating his location in cinematic and American history.

Top Cast

  • Billy Zane (small)
    Billy Zane
    Narrator (voice)
  • Pat Broeske
    Self
  • Janet Leigh (small)
    Janet Leigh
    Self
  • Leonard Maltin (small)
    Leonard Maltin
    Self
  • Louella Parsons (small)
    Louella Parsons
    Self (archive sound)
  • Billie Dove (small)
    Billie Dove
    Self (archive footage)
  • Terry Moore (small)
    Terry Moore
    Self
  • Howard Hughes (small)
    Howard Hughes
    Self (archive footage)
  • Jean Harlow (small)
    Jean Harlow
    Self (archive footage)
  • Sally Forrest (small)
    Sally Forrest
    Self
  • Edith Lynch
    Self