Interesting little "today in history" blurb from the local paper. Apparently this is where he said the oft-quoted, "I cried all the way to the bank." Archive photo and accompanying text, followed by two additional (unrelated) blurbs.

http://ww3.startribune.co...tModules:5


LIBERACE, American pianist, wore a big grin as Londoners surrounded him to cheer his victory in a libel action against London Daily Mirror and its columnist William Connor. In a 1956 column, Connor implied Liberace was a homosexual. Liberace was awarded $22,400. After the court victory, the touring pianist went on in his regular performance at the Cheswick Empire theater in London. The court said Connor’s column did not represent fair comment. (AP Wirephoto; June 18, 1959)


PRACTICE: Solomon Wasserman, 11, 1636 Sheridan avenue N., got a bit of advice on how to play the piano from Liberace, now appearing at the Minnesota Terrace of the Hotel Nicollet, before the two presented a show there. Solomon was named winner over 50 other youngsters in a contest held by the Liberace Talent club. (Minneapolis Tribune photo by Jack Gillis; March 29, 1951)


STAR-SPANGLED: Liberace set ‘em back on their heels Thursday night at the State Fair Grandstand Show. Wearing a star-spangled red, white and blue HotPants outfit, the showman-pianist, at one point in the performance, strutted onstage twirling a baton and the audience of 10,000 exploded into applause and laughter. The veteran entertainer set the tone of the evening when he first walked onstage, wearing a 23-carat gold-trimmed Russian waistcoat over an Argentine gaucho outfit and diamond rings. Said Liberace: “Well, look me over. I don’t dress this way to go unnoticed.” He didn’t. (Minneapolis Star photo by Peter Freeman; Sept. 3, 1971)

Who was on that jury?

Graycap23 said:

little richard, richard simmions, tom cruise, eddie murphy, johhny gill, ricky martin, rock hudson.

ehuffnsd said:

RipHer2Shreds said:

i know he was dreamy

Rock was hot.

Liberace was gross. Why all the ladies were getting moist over him is completely beyond me.

The collective insanity that made women buy into Liberace's heterosexuality still exists today: witness Tom Cruise and Clay Aiken.

I can't stand for people to be in the closet. However, in those days, it was actually dangerous to be out of the closet, not only career-wise, but for physical safety reasons also. I'm sure the reporter only had hurtful purposes for his comment anyway so I'm glad Liberace sued the hell out of him and won.
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[Edited 6/18/08 13:53pm]

vainandy said:

Very true about the times. The link has the following text as well (referring to your question about the reporters comments:

In the 1950s, the colorful and flamboyant entertainer had to sue a London tabloid to protect a secret and preserve his career. In a mean-spirited piece, the Daily Mirror implied that Liberace was a homosexual (and “the biggest sentimental vomit of all time”). He testified that he was not a homosexual and won the case — and a $22,400 judgment — in June 1959. It’s not clear how the paper defended itself or whether truth was a valid defense under British law. Liberace is credited with coining the phrase “I cried all the way to the bank” in connection with the case.

Thank you. I knew good and damn well that the reporter wasn't simply commenting that he might possibly be a homosexual. I also knew that it wasn't another "family" member trying to bust him out because someone of Liberace's status would definately be a feather in our cap as far as fighting for our rights. Not in those days, because all family stayed in the closet for their own safety.

Just look how far we've come since then. We can do as we damn well please most of the time and tell someone to kiss our ass if they don't like it. Now gay couples can finally get married in California. If Liberace had lived this long, he would really be a flaming queen.

If Liberace had came in the EIGHTIES instead of the FIFTIES, he'll happily pronounce his homosexuality. He had to hide it in those days. A lot of actors during that time hid it also from James Dean (though I think he was bi) to Sal Mineo to Rock Hudson because they were afraid their careers would die and they would be killed for just being gay.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Lawd hammercy, talk about the King of Queens. That was my boy though. I remember when he'd do specials on ABC back in the 80s. He was so fabulously grand.

Hmmm, MJ used to be close friends with Liberace. I wonder what on earth they had in common?

Ooh, a gay thread.

Cloudbuster said:

Hot gay. Ebullient!

RipHer2Shreds said:

Who is?

Cloudbuster said:

NOT gay. Nice typo.