Welcome to Screen Gems, our weekend dive into queer and queer-adjacent titles of the past that deserve a watch or a re-watch.
The Exposure: Tab Hunter Confidential
Leave it to the documentarian Jeffrey Schwarz (Vito, I am Divine) to spotlight the frustrating life and career of an old-time Hollywood closet case with such grace and humor. Schwarz’s documentary Tab Hunter Confidential tells the life of the titular actor, one of the biggest (and hottest) matinee idols of the 1950s. With his blond hair, chiseled physique and ice-blue eyes, Hunter had all the makings of a big-screen megastar, save one: he was secretly gay. It goes without saying at this point that Hunter’s sexuality caused him career woes, and eventually, derailed his movie stardom completely.
Filmed before Hunter’s death in 2018, Tab Hunter Confidential features a treasure trove of interview subjects, including Debbie Reynolds, John Waters, George Takei, Clint Eastwood, Robert Wanger and of course, Hunter himself. The actor gives candid insight into the Golden Age Hollywood closet (Hunter dishes on several other occupants, including Rock Hudson and Anthony Perkins, the latter of whom comes off as a vindictive, catty bitch), and the financial and emotional stress that came along with it. Hunter, however, seldom comes off bitter. Rather, he shows extreme graciousness when discussing his film successes, his long career, and takes solace in his 35-year relationship with his boyfriend, Allen Glaser. His is a showbiz story for the ages, one full of triumph, loss, perseverance and joy. Critics through the years often dismissed Tab Hunter as just another pretty face. In Tab Hunter Confidential, he proves he’s anything but.
Streams on Amazon, YouTube, iTunes & VUDU.
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Fahd
This is a terrific documentary about an historic Hollywood idol. Without Allan Glaser’s encouragement, I don’t think Tab Hunter would have done it. I’ve watched it a few times and read the book. The book has some of the less positive stuff that isn’t included in the documentary. Tab was much more than a pretty face, but it was his pretty face (and great skin & body) combined with a great personality that fueled his Hollywood success.
Essie
Is this the same one that has been out for a couple of years? When I saw it, Hunter was still alive. I’ll take a look to see if it’s a different one.
ggreen
Please listen to the interview of John Waters on the Polyester Blu-ray. He tells stories of how gleeful Tab Was to vote for anti-gay politicians and conservative nut jobs including Trump.
Cam
OMG, after I saw your comment I searched and found an interview Waters did with GQ where he said Tab Hunter voted for Trump.
WTF?
TamaraChing
Great and CONCISE but condense version of his life. Glad he was around to supervise it as he wished it to be done. Has some very special moments in the flick. A must see.
winemaker
Who out there remembers the ‘Tab Hunter Show” from the 1960’s? His30 minute variety albeit a long time ago was so much better than some off the utter trash on television that calls itself entertainment
Celtic
Tab Hunter was breathtaking. I was so enthralled with him, with Ricky Nelson, Fabian, James Dean and several others. I did not “understand” that excitement in my loins. It would take another decade before I could or would accept the fact I am a homosexual. At around age five I began to “notice” men’s buttocks, especially the nice firm and solid ones that filled out a pair of pants nicely.
yendor808
You dear man! I’m so glad you found your way. And there’s absolutely nothing that compares to the shape of a man’s butt cheeks. Although I was sad to hear that Tab voted for the repubs.
Josh447
Tab was that one-in-a-billion knuckle biting sex pot icon. The doc is good and makes the sex God human.
whatsaywhat
Got to meet Tab Hunter once at a meet & greet about this film not too long before he died.
He was a genuinely kind & humble man who loved horses and there was absolutely no trace of any self importance, vanity, or show-biz affect. He was still very handsome in his 80s.
tulasboardingschool
Nice Blog
Daggerman
..I am in AWE of Tab Hunter, a truly wonderful guy! He had the perfect.