Granted, Hefner was correct about Snider. But was it because he thought Snider might hurt/kill Dorothy, or because when he looked at Paul, he saw a less refined, less successful version of himself? Whereas Paul Snider was trying to make a living off one woman's beauty and nudity, Hef had done it with thousands. Did Hefner see something of himself in Snider?
shareIn this case, I would feel he disliked Snider because Snider was such an obvious PR--K that NOBODY could have liked him except another total jerk loser like himself, or someone a little too naive and trusting. Hugh seemed content enough with his life not to let someone as insignificant as Paul be a comparison. At the same time I seriously doubt that Mr. Hefner (or anyone) would have realized what a horrible HORRIBLE person Snider was or what demented sick acts he was capable of. It was more likely everyone felt he was just too controlling and she would never be happy with him. Plus Hugh Hefner probably quickly tired of Paul, this "nobody", trying to totally map everything out as if anyone gave a damn about his stupid ideas anyway.
shareI wonder about Hef, and guys like him, because I don't think they're bad people inside. I'm from America, but I see exploitation film directors from Europe from the 70s drenched in respect by men and women alike. Hef is one of the kings of old school exploitation, true. Russ Meyer was The King, true. But, Hef probably by that time was able to see through just the T&A and see what was really going down with the women he worked with.
The reason the other poster is correct is that Hef built an empire, as much as people hated him for it, or called him a perv, or were jealous of him, he prevailed. And people forget, although then it was considered distasteful, Playboy started out very tasteful. It was like a Pennys catalogue compared to the stuff today.
I also think Hef had ran into the whole situation more than once. The guy ran a ranch full of sex and fun in the crazy 70s. He ran into crazy boyfriends, I'm sure, a lot. Maybe he didn't even know about all of the crazy boyfriends around. Dorothy just happened to be very high profile up until she died, so I think he had to take issue with Snider's sleeziness. I actually wouldn't be suprised if Dorothy's murder wasn't a wake up call to Hef.
What I'm saying is that Hef did what he did for a few decades, and innovated and shielded controversy and had already prevailed. Whereas Hef considered his models an asset because of their bodies, Snider acted like he was pimping out Dorothy. It's speculation on my part, but I think Snider thought he could basically pimp her out, and own her title. Not even pornographers today can keep girls from doing movies with other directors.
Anyway, it was Fosse who said Snider was a less successful version of himself, but as an acting prop for Roberts. Most guys with brains wouldn't act like Snider did, I hope, anyway.
"Hef, why don't you like Paul?"
"Because he has the personality of a pimp."
oh, the irony.
Keep wrangling the cute ones Hef. Fo Shizzle.
Well, that's exactly it. Hef spent the better part of his life and energy trying to make Playboy "respectable" and to pull things off in a classy way. I don't disagree that this was all window dressing of sorts. Hef and his Playboy mag went out of their way to support the arts, jazz music, and they did hire some wickedly awesome and gifted writers- We are talking Mailer, Vonnegut, Bradbury, etc...
So for Snider to come along, it was quite apparent that he was the antithesis of everything Hef had spent his life, trying to get away from. Snider had no love or even knowledge of culture, the classics, fine arts, etc...
And that thing with him memorizing the quotes, it just came off as creepy, and that Snider was trying way too hard. Hef was a smart guy, he knew within seconds that the entire meeting had been rehearsed by Snider beforehand.
a hardscrabble man of no means with a smokeshow wife vs 25 years of getting cultured businessman. No contest in america.
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