Tab Hunter Confidential (2015)

Based on the book Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star written by Tab Hunter and Eddie Muller (film noir guru), TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL chronicles Hunter’s life from his childhood through his early years as a matinee idol and pop singer to his foray into B films, dinner theatre, and John Waters.

That face!

Along the way, Hunter struggled with his homosexuality, religious conflicts, and family duty.  He worked with the biggest stars of the day and tells some good stories, but he doesn’t gossip.  Hunter talks about his own life, but leaves his friends alone.  He does share some interesting truths about the studios of the 1950s.  When a tabloid threatened to break a story about his homosexuality, the studio came to his rescue.  After he broke with Warner Brothers, he was on his own.  What’s funny is that the squeaky clean image Hunter portrayed on screen is a near reflection of his own life.  He just happens to be gay.  In spite of the scandal, Hunter remained popular.  Always conflicted about his sexual orientation and religion, Hunter finally accepted himself and rediscovered his faith.  He also discovered his love for horses. TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL is an entertaining look at the taboos of 1950s America and how they shaped the lives, careers, and films of that era.  It’s also a refreshing story of a sweet, wholesome guy.

I saw TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL as a part of the 2015 Provincetown International Film Festival.