IMDb RATING
7.5/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
The story of matinee idol Tab Hunter from teenage stable boy to closeted Hollywood star of the 1950s.The story of matinee idol Tab Hunter from teenage stable boy to closeted Hollywood star of the 1950s.The story of matinee idol Tab Hunter from teenage stable boy to closeted Hollywood star of the 1950s.
- Awards
- 8 wins & 3 nominations total
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Featured reviews
Just great
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.
Even if you aren't a fan, it's well worth seeing.
I must say up front that I am not particularly a fan of Tab Hunter's films. I've seen a few and must admit he is a very beautiful man but I've never been a fan. Additionally, I am not gay. But despite both of these things, I do recommend you watch this biography as it's entertaining and well worth your time...so keep this in mind when you consider watching this film which recently debuted on Netflix.
The film is quite simply the story of actor Tab Hunter's life. It follows his journey as an actor as well as a religious man struggling with being gay. Along the way, you learn that there is much more to him than being a homosexual...and he has what appears to be a happy and full life. Overall, very entertaining and a film that will leave you liking and appreciating this artist much, much more. Very well made and compelling viewing.
The film is quite simply the story of actor Tab Hunter's life. It follows his journey as an actor as well as a religious man struggling with being gay. Along the way, you learn that there is much more to him than being a homosexual...and he has what appears to be a happy and full life. Overall, very entertaining and a film that will leave you liking and appreciating this artist much, much more. Very well made and compelling viewing.
intricate, substantive
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.
One of the best films of its kind I've seen
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.
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.
Film record of Tab Hunter's autobiography is glossy, glamorous and beguiling
Documentary on closeted matinée idol Tab Hunter (born Arthur Kelm, later Arthur Gelien) is a wonderful record of the journey the actor took to Hollywood in the 1950s, through Hollywood in the '60s, and back from Hollywood in the '70s. From his teenage days being chased around his high school by smitten female students, Hunter was shy talking about himself and completely private when it came to matters of the heart...and nothing has changed! Though this project was co-produced by his partner of 30 years, Allan Glaser, Hunter is still reticent discussing his homosexuality and the relationships this produced. Fortunately, there are a bevy of acquaintances, co-stars, columnists and friends on hand to lend their insights into Hunter's career, and the well-researched movie and television clips provide amusing nostalgia. Do we get a no-holds-barred glimpse into the faded celebrity of a handsome Hollywood movie star? No, but the benign, matter-of-fact way in which Hunter recalls his life is probably more entertaining (if not emotional) than a soul-searching therapy session might be. Hunter has come to terms with himself and his past, and he's happy to trot off quietly on his horse into the sunset. His movie career has been capped nicely by both his 2006 memoir and this film: a once-famous name and face who now enjoys the finer things in life. *** from ****
Did you know
- TriviaA reporter mentions that Tab Hunter's popularity was with the so-called "baby boomers"; however, the term refers to children born post war, including myself born in 1947 which would have made me nine years old at the height of his popularity. Actually, his fans were the post-depression/war babies who would have been teenagers in the middle 1950's. Baby-boomers are 1946-1964 born, and they absolutely were a part of his fandom.
- ConnectionsFeatures A Star Is Born (1937)
- SoundtracksDon't Let It Get Around
Written by Tab Hunter & Gwen Davis
- How long is Tab Hunter Confidential?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Секрет Тэба Хантера
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $85,812
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $9,945
- Oct 18, 2015
- Gross worldwide
- $85,812
- Runtime
- 1h 30m(90 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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