Tab Hunter Confidential

This is a remarkable documentary not only about the extraordinary life of a very popular teen idol but about the movie industry itself during the height of Tab Hunter's film career. Although I grew up during the 50's and 60's, I realized while I was watching this film that I wasn't very familiar with the films in which Tab Hunter appeared, but I am nevertheless very impressed by his ability to overcome many obstacles throughout his life. In the end, he succeeded at everything he pursued and lived a very productive and fulfilling life. What saddened me was the realization, once again, of how quickly life passes us by and that someone so vibrant and charismatic as Tab Hunter could be gone from the world, having recently died at the age of 86 in 2018. For me, this was the saddest aspect of this film. I was not sad for Tab as an individual because, in the end, he lived a very full and rewarding life. He never once cast himself as a victim. He just kept moving forward, whether he was on the ice, on horseback, or in front of the camera.

Raised by a single mom who had to struggle to provide for her two sons, Hunter managed to overcome many disadvantages, including a father who abused his mother and never possessed the slightest emotional attachment to his own sons. Hunter's reliance on his older brother, Walter, for guidance throughout a difficult youth was very significant, making Walter's early death in Vietnam all the more tragic.

Once the Warner Brothers studio identified Hunter as a lucrative source of revenue, it claimed him as one more item among its accumulated treasure of precious property and did all that it could to protect his private life, including his sexuality, from public scrutiny at a time when homosexuality was not only illegal but considered totally unacceptable by society in general. When he left the protective shelter of the studio, he was forced to fend for himself, even when he was sacrificed to the sharks of the tabloids so that another homosexual star, Rock Hudson, still owned and controlled by the studio, remained out of the line of fire.

Although I can't exactly call myself a fan of Tab Hunter's movies, this illustration of his life enabled me to appreciate very much Mr. Hunter as a human being. He not only succeeded in overcoming many disadvantages during his life, but he actually thrived in the face of them, thanks to his commendable, positive attitude and his deep, unshakeable faith, both which I found very inspiring.

Even before I started watching this film, I knew that any endeavor involving Eddie Muller, the "czar of noir", would be worthwhile. I may not know too much about the movies of Tab Hunter, but I watch Eddie on Turner Classic Movies all the time and very much appreciate his excellent command of the English language and, of course, his passion not only for the film noir genre but for classic films in general. I have learned much from Mr. Muller over the past few years, and this documentary stands as one more very valuable lesson among many. Thank you, Eddie!

Tab Hunter was almost certainly the best looking actor ever to grace a movie screen and one of the few major players ever to come out as gay. His book, "Tab Hunter, Confidential" is a hugely readable account of Hollywood in the fifties and now it's been turned into a brilliant and moving documentary by filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz. Watching this, two things struck me about Mr Hunter; on a purely superficial level, for a man in his mid-eighties, he's still incredibly handsome, (and certainly doesn't look his age). Secondly he comes across as one hell of a nice guy, a man to be deeply admired for staying true to himself.

Like Tab's book, Schwarz's film is, of course, a great portrait of Hollywood, (even if there is something gruesome about seeing old movie stars who haven't weathered the years quite as well as Tab has), but it's also refreshing to see these people talk so openly and honestly about Tab's sexuality in the knowledge that Tab is more than happy for them to do so.

Could he act? Most definitely, though he was never given a part that really stretched him, (it's just a pity that "Gunman's Walk" was never taken that seriously). Maybe if he had been more successful it would have been a lot harder for him to be as open but his honesty, and not just about his sexuality, but about his talent, (and he was also a champion show-jumper and a fine figure skater), and his career makes this one of the best films of its kind I've seen.

Saw this film at the Berkshire FF and can't wait to see it again in Provincetown, MA. Mr. Hunter and Mr. Glaser received standing "O" at the end of the film and at their appearance for the Q and A's. For all of the intricacies of storytelling (it covers Hollywood history, Tab's personal history and struggles and the resolution he has come to) the film flows seamlessly. It is fascinatingly illustrated with studio stills, film clips, interviews and personal snapshots. Tab narrates the film, and his "concentration" as he looks at us is mesmerizing. He has shared incredible insights with his audience about his fame, his loves, his family....occasionally with a delightful, self-deprecating twinkle. Profoundly, however, it is his success as a human being that will touch us most.

Caught the London screening. The place was packed, not an empty seat in the house, and Mr. Hunter received a thunderous well-deserved standing ovation.

This is one of the best celebrity biography docs for a long time, and will bring to a new, younger audience the reality of how the old Hollywood studio system manipulated its stars for their own corporate gain.

In Tab Hunter Confidential, Mr. Hunter narrates, sharing his insightful and honest view of the Hollywood star-making system of the 50s and his personal rise, success, frustration and fall at Warner Brothers Studios. With self-deprecating humor and warmth, Mr. Hunter reflects on the policies, plans and politics of the studio which dictated how to live in and survive the public life of a movie star, generating popularity and the adoration of his fans. He combines this with honest reflections of his closeted life as a gay man when the word gay did not even exist at the time. Mr. Hunter's frank and authentic portrait of his loves, his family and his faith are complicated, moving and intelligently presented.

Kudos to getting this fascinating autobiography onto the screen with taste and elegance.

Documentary about Tab Hunter narrated by him. It shows how he became a star and highlights various movies and TV shows he did. Also during the feature they cut to other actors who relate what they think of Hunter. It also deals with his being secretly gay. Hunter is quite honest about everything and laid-back with some very funny moments. It also gets into his ex boyfriends--particularly Anthony Perkins. A thoroughly fascinating documentary. There's also a book with the same title which goes a little more in depth.