Thursday, June 22, 6:00 pm, Castro • not streaming • coming to HBO June 28
 |
| Rock Hudson (by Photofest) |
Roy Fitzgerald from Winnetka, Illinois, then a small “hick” town (by Hudson’s description), went into the Navy in World War II. When he returned, he headed for Los Angeles to pursue acting, soon taking the stage name Rock Hudson. The studio saw his potential as a leading man, with women across America wanting to marry this eligible bachelor and men wanting to be him. Of course, as we now know well, it was an open secret that Rock Hudson in his private life enjoyed the company of young men.
I’m old enough to remember when Rock Hudson was the leading man in Hollywood. I don’t recall hearing any of the rumors that Hudson was gay, and if I did, I’m sure I dismissed them as nothing more than tabloid gossip. Like many Americans, my first inkling came with the announcement that Rock Hudson had AIDS.
This documentary is an excellent chronicle of Rock Hudson’s life, with interviews of people who knew him personally. We see vividly the tension between his public persona and his private life, crashing together only when they could no longer be kept separate. If you’re old enough to remember Rock Hudson in his prime, this film is a must see, but even if you’re not, it’s an important piece of Hollywood history.
No comments:
Post a Comment