The Secret Life & Loves of Tab Hunter
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- Опубликовано: 4 ноя 2023
- One of the biggest Hollywood heart throbs of the 1950s was discovered shoveling horse manure in a barn. His name was Tab Hunter, and he set the nation’s hearts aflame with his pretty face and even prettier body. Tab built a career playing a macho ladies’ man in picture after picture after picture ... But behind the farm-boy physique lurked a secret shadow - one that a sleazy tabloid and unscrupulous agent conspired to expose to the world. At the height of his fame, Tab’s career disintegrated, and he might’ve vanished completely - until he was saved by the unlikeliest of figures. This is the story of Tab Hunter, an international sex symbol who pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Hollywood history.
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The number of times this man was getting blackmailed or close to being outed was nuts. I can’t imagine the constant anxiety and stress he was living with
The crimes bigotry commits.
I like to think Tab got the role in battle cry because James Dean and Paul Newman couldn't get their eyes off each other to look at the main actress
He easily could have ended up a very bitter man but he maintained his humanity through it all. That says a lot.
He was a good man through and through
Hello
Hilariously Ironic, wildly incorrect 1950s thinking: "Tab Hunter cannot be gay;..., he has neat penmanship".🤣
Jeez, they really thought the worst of gay men back then: "They can't even write neatly!" 😂😂😂
@@cc1k435 Yeah, but isn't "neat penmanship" how you know someone IS gay?😂🤣
@@alexandercampbell7903 Seems likely, especially if they insist on using a plume or only writing in calligraphy or something. 🤣😂
I was trying to tell a new friend, that I'd met in the 6 Week Orientation Class at our workplace, that a coworker was gay. And he was out! So I wasn't letting the cat out of the bag. She just hadn't heard, as they hadn't been in contact since High School. And she couldn't tell for sure that I was gay either. So she had no Gaydar! I don't either, until it's super obvious! Anyhow! She made these pitiful "He cant be gay because ___ " points for her side of the debate.. And they all were as weak as the "He can't be Gay because he has good penmanship!," line, there! Then she said "Wait! I got it!" And I knew that whatever she said, was gonna seal my point completely, and not hers as she thought! And life didn't let me down! And sure enough! This girl looks right in my face! And she says "He cant be gay, because he has a Lindsey Lohan Calendar in his cubicle!" And I literally fell on the floor of my Living Room , from laughing so hard! The boy had been in a 3 year relationship, openly, with another guy at the office we were working at! 😹💀😹
For anyone who read my long comment, and isnt a Millennial, or older Lindsey Lohan was like a gay icon for twinks back in the day! Gods I feel old now! 😹😹😹
46:29 _"Get it from the horse's mouth, not some horse's ass."_ Tab Hunter had a lot of courage and a great sense of humor.
Matt you may talk about stars... but you are a national treasure in your own right.
YES!!! Couldn't agree more!
Aww thank you so much! :D
INTERnational!
Amen to that!!
Yes, these are such good well made videos.
Thanks for the great video. My mom was friends with Tab. She was in need of a job, so he got her a part in "Sea Chase." After he returned from a trip to Paris, he brought her a bottle of what would become her favorite perfume: Quadrille by Balenciega. She was even in a spread about Tab in Photoplay titled "Spaghetti Party at Tab's." She mainly worked under contract to Universal during the 1950s. She said two of the greatest guys she ever worked with were Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson. I just wanted to share that bit of trivia with you because you mentioned "Sea Chase." Thanks again.
Thank you for sharing that. She sounds lovely.
WOW that's crazy awesome for your mom and thanks for sharing that! If you have any other storys don't be afraid ot tell them.
I want to hear more about this spaghetti party. 😂❤😊
@@TheoRae8289 Thank you.
@@davey3765 Thank you.
Gosh, this man's life was very stressful; the blackmails, the near-outing, being broke. I am so happy that he eventually got the peace and fulfilment he deserves.
Tab's bravery in teaming up with John Waters meant so much to 25 year old me. I had refused to live in the closet throughout my teens, and suddenly here was one of my teen-hearthroobs kissing Divine! I hope he knew how many lives he touched by closing off his career on his own terms. (Lust in the Dust is a VERY funny movie too!! I think it may be his best. It IS my personal favourite.)
I can't imagine how amazing it must've been to see Polyester when it first came out!
@@MattBaume The fart and the air freshener were particularly effective. It was certainly outside the norm be in 1st run playhouse for a John Waters movie - especially one staring an honest to goodness matinée idol.
I so respect your work Mr Baume. I can't imagine a better online representative and cultural historian. Kudos and thanks.
RIP Tab. It hurts to hear how bad it was. And we hope with these idiots in DC we don’t go back to this type of stuff. Thank you for your strength and perseverance. Matt, you’ve done it again. Well done sir.
I hope the American people finally put a stop to their nonsense. The number of people who don't represent a whole lot of people's rights are way overrepresented in Congress.
Republicans want to force us back to this crap.
@@susiepittman601 not happening. Dems are having a great night tonight
I’m afraid it is returning it’s cycle.
Look at Ohio wanting to take away the passing of abortion.
It won’t be long, and all the condescending of ‘it’s fine’ is exactly that.
25 years after the non hate crime of Matthew Shepard.
Just hope you don’t find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
We won't go back. The queer cat is out of the bag and even if they try to go against us using laws we won't disappear.
Every time you put out one of these biographical essays I am deeply humbled by the seemingly unending capacity to express talent, deal with adversity and care for loved ones of these queer actors who came before us. Their lives are truly awe-inspiring.
Thank you! I can't imagine how difficult their lives must've been and it's amazing how resilient they managed to be.
@@MattBaume This story is particularly bittersweet. Good decent people should not have to worry constantly about the petty, nasty, and self serving acts of others undermining their lives and livelihood. Yet it happened to good decent gay men and women for decades because the tools and weapons were sitting in the wrong hands. We do tend to forget to glance downwards at the shoulders on which we are now safely and securely perched for our ride . Your work represents an effort to attract our eyes down that direction. Its appreciated.
@@BTURNER1961 safely and securely?? You don't live in Florida, do you?😔
No. I live in Oregon, where Democrats sit in the Governor;s mansion, and a supermajority of the state legislature. Our voters are smarter and more evolved than Florida's @@Berlane_Defazio
Blackmailed by his ex and shunned by his father 😞. It’s a miracle Tab Hunter remained a kind individual, because he had every reason to pop the hell off. God bless this guy.
and no point in getting GOD involved in this subject. HE has caused more problems for gay people than anything imaginable. Isaiah 45:7
@@superglidernoyb5815preach
I was 12 when I saw one of his films on Turner Classic Movies. I remember feeling a huge crush. He was the reason I realized I was gay. Many years later and I saw him at LAX, he was a senior by then and I was in my late twenties. I recognized him right away and went up to him. I told him he had been my biggest crush and I hated the fact the fact that I was born too late. He was so sweet. He hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. He told me that is he was 40 years younger, he would have asked me on a date. He was the sweetest. May he rest in peace. He must be the most beautiful angel in heaven.
What a beautiful memory of your idol and crush to cherish!
🙄
It's insane how so many people close to him took advantage of him.
How hurtful having supposed friends black mailing you. RIP Tab
Yep, the hanger-ons kept tabs on Tab, for sure.
Thats Hollywood for ya
Such a handsome man. I can't imagine the stress he was under and all he did for his mother. He deserved better but he thrived and for that hats off to him. People today have it easy thanks to people like him. I will say a prayer for him.
I met Tab Hunter at a Los Angeles, CA, open-air 'Antique Flea-Market' located at the Long Beach Vets Stadium in the late 1990s when I was in my early 30s. It just so happened that we came to be at the same booth that day while shopping. As a young girl, I had seen almost all of his films and like any young teenager, I was 'smitten' with Tab Hunter! I thought he was so handsome!
When I came acrossed him I just happened to look directly at him and said, "Are you Tab Hunter?" and he smiled and said, "Yes, I am". I totally lost my nerve and started stammering! All that I could get out was, "I loved all of your movies and I think you're so handsome!" And, afterward I just turned and fast-paced it out of there allowing him to be at peace without a mumbling, stuttering woman trying to talk to him!
He was probably in his mid-50s when I met him? At least, that's what I thought him to be. He was very polite and gracious towards me when I asked if he was Tab Hunter, as I'm sure that he had seen fans like me a thousand times throughout his career! All that I could think of was "Here is this famous movie star who is just trying to shop his favorite flea market while taking in some fresh air -- and here comes this woman who is about to take up a good 30 minutes of his time going over all of his movies!" But I refrained and immediately let him get back to his shopping!
He was just as handsome then as he was in all of his movies and meeting him in person was amazing!
Over the years while shopping at the Long Beach Vets Stadium's Antique Flea Market I've seen many famous celebrities who were there shopping either with a friend or just by themselves! On one of the days, Oprah Winfrey came through and I saw her have one of her assistants buy out a whole booth of customized furniture back when "Shabby Chic" furniture was all the rage! Most of them just want to be left alone and that's pretty much what the public does, we just let them enjoy themselves and be like 'anybody else' who's enjoying their day at the flea market.
Thanks for letting me share my experience meeting Tab Hunter!
❤
What a lovely anecdote. I’m glad you got the chance to meet a man who you so enjoyed in your youth.
I’m glad to hear he was as kind and gracious to you as you could’ve hoped. They say never meet your heroes, but then every now and again, people live up to their legend.
"City under the sea" -anyone that can share a screen with Vincent Price at full ham and hold his own deserves some serious acting creds.
I wish I'd had an opportunity to talk about City Under the Sea! At some point I want to do a video about Vincent Price, so maybe I'll have a chance when I get around to that.
@@MattBaume
i'm a huge fan of vincent price. literally can't think of movie he did a bad performance in. No matter how bad the script he always elevates the role.
In house of wax, he barely moves his face, but we don't really notice until the reveal that it's a wax mask.
in Dr Phibes, a mute mad scientist, he gets more character nuance from a single raise of the eyebrows than most modern actors do in their entire career.
Even in the trashy low budget anthology "the monster club" (definitely one for the culture cruise audience) he steals the show as the framing device, the rest of the film is worth watching just to here his speech about "real monsters" at the end.
and of course people have argued about the nature of the relationship between Basil and Rattigan for decades, thanks to Price's fantastic voice work.
hope this helps with the future video, i look forward to seeing it!
"Vincent Price at full ham"
Hahaha Hahaha
love it
As a 90s kid, i had never heard of Tab Hunter and only clicked on this video because I needed something playing in the background while I meal prepped. But I'm so glad that i watched this! Very interesting and entertaining!
Great job Matt! Tab hunter had one of the more happier endings in Hollywood. And his legacy is one of dignity and integrity.
Oral history is fundamental to the human experience, especially for us queers. I've heard Tab's name over the years, but I don't think I've ever seen any of his movies. In less than an hour, I was teary about a former stranger and wanting to see more. Thank you, Matt - you are a superb teller of our stories.
Oh that means a lot, so glad you found it moving! Tab's movies are very fun, even the ... well, less-than-award-worthy ones.
I'm gay not "queer"
Good for you, sweetie. Nobody was talking to you. @@benfisher1376
@@benfisher1376Me too. 😄
I am gay and queer - we took that back, the other gay and bi men that love their f word can kiss my gay, queer ass.
Sad that many Hollywood actors are still going through the same crap Tab Hunter did.
Who feels they have to live in secret today?
It isn’t something that people are harassed for nowadays … it’s almost seen as something ‘cool’ which is odd seeing as it’s as natural as heterosexuality
@@fairysnuff-000
Ok, what I really meant to say is that
I think that there is still some who are closeted and it's a shame.
@@fairysnuff-000just because it's more accepted culturally doesn't mean there's places or families etc that do not accept homosexuality. And plenty of reasons for men especially in Hollywood to hide it in order to maintain a certain brand. The Internet isn't the real world
@@fairysnuff-000Travolta
@@TheoRae8289 And Tom Cruise
My partner wrote Tab fanmail 20 years ago and he sent back a signed autograph and personalised thank you letter.
For years I had no idea who he was.
I had never heard of him but found it deeply moving to hear he spent his later years happy and fulfilled. It's all we can hope for in life.
I was introduced to not only Tab Hunter by the movie Polyester, but also John Waters and Divine. I was sold and immediately became a fan of all three. John waters is a genius, Tab & Divine both incredibly talented actors. Lust in the Dust is simply a masterpiece.
Lust in the Dust may have been a masterpiece, but it was NOT John Waters film.
And Polyester was late in Tab Hunter’s career. I saw Polyester on a date in about 1983. It was Divine.😂
@@johnrichey7494 never said it was as is pointed out in the video. The video is about Tab, not John Waters.
I worked on that movie poster for Lust in the Dust. Met Tab and his partner. A racist, and anti semite. Really an insufferable snob.
As a gay kid in the 60s, going to the movies allowed me to fantasize. Tab Hunter and Paul Newman were such eye candy! Thank you very much for this video.
The fact that guys like this were considered muscular hunks shows how unrealistic nowadays standards are
Isn't it wild? We tend to think of beauty standards as being hard-wired into our brains, but so much of it is just made up.
Wait till you realise how many things are just made up
Tab Hunter had great positive energy - amazing how he managed to navigate between his private and professional life in Hollywood and remain true to himself. He never hurt anyone in order to protect himself. I heard that there was a biopic being made about him and his relationship with Tony Perkins. There is so much great material in his life that could be made into films - his relationship with Ronnie Robertson, the dog scandal or his first staring role in ‘Island of Desire…
Hi Robert
Tab Hunter will NEVER be forgotten in my family. My siblings and I adored Grease 2, we watched it all the time, loved it unironically and quoted it all the time. Only years later did I find out who Tab Hunter was and all that he had been through! There's always a soft spot in my heart for that man, for being part of a truly terrible film that me and my siblings truly love.
Yes!! That is how I knew about him too. And I also love Grease 2
Loved it too.
Yeah. I thought I was the only one who loved Grease 2. I watch it when ever I can as well.
@@jeanninelockridge5235 Ahhh Ahhh Ahhh, I’ll be your girl for all seasons 🤓😂
Let’s do it for our country, the red, white, and the blue🇺🇸
And one fine night I’ll be holding on tight. To a cool rider, a cool rider😎
Lets bowl, let’s bowl, let’s rock n’ roll 🎳
Where does the pollen go? 🐝
Fab soundtrack too🏆
I ran into Tab Hunter and mate back in 1988 at Abells Antique Auction in LA one Sunday afternoon. He was very nice, friendly and easy going. RIP Tab.
I always end up verklempt by the end of your videos. I say in almost every comment, you do incredibly important work, Matt. Thank you for making sure our history isnt forgotten.
"Verklempt"? Couldn't find the meaning.
@@kyleanuar9090Verklempt (pronounced “fur-klempt”) means overcome with emotion, perhaps even choked or clenched by emotions.
@kyleanuar9090 It's fake Yiddish that Mike Myers coined on Saturday night live for the Coffee Talk skits. It's getting a but misty eyed or being choked up about something. I think he was portraying a Jewish woman from Long Island.
Whenever his character said she was getting verklempt, she'd tell the audience to talk amongst themselves while occasionally giving them a random topic.
Shpilkus in the ganektizoink
@@TheoRae8289It is a Yiddish loan word with a German spelling. The original Yiddish is Farklempt.
I worked for his answering service in the 1980’s. He was the nicest sweetest man.
He aged like a fine wine....more handsome when he's older! (for me at least)
I'm 70 and have always loved Tab Hunter. I also loved Polyester and am so glad that's what saved his career. Also, I love it that you can get all of the underlying history about the people you highlight - history many, especially the younger ones, didn't know about (many of us oldsters know a lot of these historical facts you highlight). Thank you for doing all of your videos.
What an uplifting video! It's rare for a queer actor from this era to have a story with such a happy ending. Tab endured a lot of misfortune but he managed to find creative fulfillment, romantic connection, and authenticity despite it all. He seems like he was such a sweet person, too. Thank you for some much-needed queer culture comfort food.
One of the kindest men I’ve ever known. He’s greatly missed.. I met Tab through a mutual horse friend. We rode together, his love of horses was infectious! He never talked about all he’d been through in Hollywood, makes me sick, he didn’t deserve any of it. I’m so happy for he and Allen being able to marry. Allen is a sweetheart heart too. I miss Tab and am grateful for this video, thank you ❤
Growing up in Tx. I heard words I did'nt understand. Yet, there was something I understood instinctively. My youngest male cousin was different in a way I
felt, but as a femaleI I could not identify. When he came out in college, lots of gossip in this Baptist town! I was not surprised, always stood by. him. He was multi-talented, had a fabulous personality. He eventually became a hair dresser, worked for a popular soap opera. He moved back to this Baptist town and took care of my aunt until she passed. He later moved to LA, worked as a hairdresser for a famous talent show. He made a good life, was happy. Sadly, he passed away much too young.
My point is, as a childI I sensed something I could not explain. I loved my cousin, and always felt it was no concern of mine who he loved, how he loved. I saw how mean, hateful people could be to my cousin--who did not choose to be gay, who did not want people lecturing him, belittling him. He just wanted to live his life. I wish we could all live in peace, harmony and love.
RIP: RPL
🌹🌹🌹
Hi, I'm here from hbomberguy's channel; the video about plagarism (yes, all four hours of it). I like gay content and got sucked in by James Somerton (big mistake, big plagiarist it turns out). Your channel was mentioned in the hbomberguy video, so here I came and you did not disappoint!
I just recently saw Polyester on TCM and it was so great; Tab Hunter was fantastic and Divine was, well, divine! And so, I'm off to watch your John Waters video now.
I’ve been putting off reading his book for 20 years, but maybe after watching this I’ll finally get the inspiration!
It's a great book, I have read it several times, you will enjoy it., If you haven't seen the documentary, you should.
Great overview of Hunter's life and career. Want to add that "Battle Cry" was one of 1955's biggest hits with eight million in rentals, placing third for the year (according to Variety's January 25, 1956 edition), which helped place Tab at #2 on Quigley Publications' 1955 "Stars of Tomorrow" poll, right behind Jack Lemmon ("Sea Chase" also landed in the top ten, with six million in rentals- great breakthrough year for Tab!).
I love how your interviews are always respectful and truthful. Never leading the audience with false narrative or trashy catch lines. I always look forward to seeing your videos. Thanks for doing what you do.
This made my night, thank you! You and Tab seemed like adorable buddies--I had no idea how self-deprecating and cute he was in telling stories--and as a Baltimorean, seeing John and Divine were the two little cherries on top.
yet another great documentary. You approach your subjects with such respect and a sense of celebration. Not sugar-coated - but always from a positive perspective rather than clickbait.
Tab Hunter would proud 🏳️🌈 of you , Matt!!
I think having my ex blackmail me for $10k would've destroyed any optimism I had. Jeesh, what this man was put through, so happy that he found true love and fulfillment in the end.
I recently read Tab's autobiography and saw the video version as well. This video does an excellent job of summarizing both. Very well done. I very much like Tab Hunter and it's astonishing what he went through, both personally and professionally.
Heart wrenching how much Tab went through. Brings tears to my eyes. He's not forgotten. Thank you for this wonderful documentary on his life.
That James Dean and Paul Neuman clip actually showed a lot of chemistry - between the two of them. 😁 They were flirting.
That was a very sweet bio of Tab. I was glad he was able to come out and be loved for who he was.
Such a sweet man. So glad he found his love before he passed. Thank you for such a well thought out classy presentation. ❤
Your videos always bring me so much joy, and this one is no different ❤️
This presenter is a natural, a superb story teller! He's gifted and appreciated.
I love Matt, I've been following him forever and he interviewed me for The Sewers of Paris. Matt, I'm the playwright who grew up in Miami and now I own Raleigh Tea Company. Thanks Matt for this, I never knew much on Tab.
Oh hey great to bump into you here!!!
Thank you, Tab for putting a "great face" on the sexual orientation of all the people born to be gay!
As an 87 year old gay man who has lived most of my life rejecting my sexual identity because of my Catholic- family orientation,
thanks to people like Tab Hunter, homosexuality is now simply a sexual orientation and not a stage of immorality as Christian churches presently teach!
Hello, I felt compelled to respond to your comment.
Firstly, huge respect to you for having lived through a time where homosexuality was seen as a punishable crime. It mustve been a terrifying time, and I genuinely have a deep respect for anyone who had to live in fear due to their sexual orientation.
As for people struggling with their sexuality, i personally feel that it's incorrect that the world feels the need to desperately identify someones entire existence with their sexual preference. Its incredibly silly, because sexuality is personal and sex is private. The push to identify one's entire existence with something that has no concern to the outside world baffles me.
As humans we hold more value as a person than the decision we make on who we chose to sleep with. To me personally, it's like choosing what to eat or what to wear. It doesn't, and shouldnt, hold any real significance to anyone else. As a 44 year old, i see things differently to most people now and although my sexual preference has always been for men, I don't feel the need to use that as something to identify my entire existence with as I'm more than that. I feel that is where the world is going wrong.
I hope this makes sense.
@@AmaanStorm Brilliant reply! It comforts me to know that young(er) people will not need to live my life of shame and guilt!
I put all the blame on Catholicism: a church that still lives in the Middle Ages where sin and running off to a nunnery or monastery is the way to live.
Young people reject churches like that because unlike many of us, they allow themselves to recognize that people develop their morality based upon experience
and relationship! I give the Catholic Church 5 years!
❤solidarity comrade! Thanks for existing ❤
@@leoinsf I totally hear you. Religion is basically a load loosely written rules on how one should act, live and conduct themselves. Its not as concrete as people make it out to be, meaning that the principles that make the fundamentals can often be cherry picked to suit one's personal beliefs.
I was born to a Pakistani father & an English mother, and I was raised in a Muslim household in England. I experienced similar issues as you did whilst growing up that essentially stunted me and made me question my existence. I actually spoke to an Islamic scholar who once told me that although homosexuality is frowned upon, its frowned upon because the success of the human race is built upon the reproductive between man and woman. What he did mention however is that, aside from the above reason, the main reason homosexuality was frowned upon was the promiscuity of the times when the religion came about. The world was a very different place.
I personally am of the theory that gay people were created because we are a natural form of control against overpopulation. Imagine a world if everyone was straight and how many more humans would over-harvest the world of its resources.
Anyway, we could debate about life until we are all blue in the face.....we just need to remember the principles of life. And that is to be a kind and caring person who helps and supports others.
Enjoy your life for who you are and never apologise. ✨️
@@AmaanStorm Thank you for your supportive reply! I appreciate it!
Be aware that I grew up in a strongly Italian family and basically the choice was: heterosexual (with my family)
or homosexual (without my family).
I was married for 18 years, had 4 children and in the 80's I moved out of the family home.
Big mistake! Counseling would have gotten us back together, but Catholic Social Service injected moralism into our problem and the marriage was over.
Then prostate cancer reared its ugly head and sexuality became a thing of the past!
I am a gay who has never had a gay relationship and words like promiscuity, moralism, don't apply.
That is the problem: the assumption of immorality of gay people and this is just plain not fair!
Immoral people are born to be hetero or homosexual! It is not fair to "label" every homosexual as immoral!
In the 1980's, I rode in an elevator with him and he took my breath away because he was even more handsome in person than on the screen if you can believe it. I had a crush on him since I saw him in "A Summer Place" when I was a teenager, so seeing him in person was a dream come true and it is a shame that in those days, actors had to hide their sexual preference unlike today where openly gay actors still get roles playing straight characters. I still love you Tab, may you rest in peace.
I dont recall tab hunter in summerplace. It was troy donahue.
Matt Baume, there are many who do what you do but no one quite captures your quality, your class, your thoroughness and your ease and charm. I remember reading “Tab Hunter, Confidential” I found it to be such an honest and deeply moving book. When I got to the end, I remember that I was in a Starbucks as I finished it. I got to the part where he says (and I paraphrase) something to the effect of….”And now my life is very different but it’s wonderful up here where I live now. It you happen to pass by and see me out in the yard doing raking leaves and you see me looking toward the sky and muttering something, don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m just saying thank you” I remember sobbing and sobbing in that Starbucks as I finished this amazing story of such a resilient man. It takes great strength to make it through the things he made it through and kept going. And he did it with such dignity. And he came out on top. Thank you for treating him with such dignity in this wonderful piece you’ve done. But that is what you always do. Each video you do is done with such care and style and dignity. Thank you for bringing class to this medium. I am such a fan of you and your work.
Hi Matt: I came up to your video on Rock Hudson yesterday, and about Tab Hunter today. I just want to say a bit THANK YOU to you for putting these great videos together. Not only I learned a lot about these two great men and their live stories, but I was very entertained by your commentary style all through the video. I even felt as if your eyes were a bit teary at the end of the Rock Hudson's video as it was such a sad story; my eyes were teary here too. Thanks Matt. Raul Arregui
Hi
47:32
A truly great video about an incredibly resilient human being. His statement at the end, though, really landed with me: "I am happy to be forgotten." May we all be as well with ourselves at the end.
This was such a good episode! I've never heard of Tab Hunter but now feel very educated. Thank you for highlighting the stories of these stars who pretty much paved the way.
I appreciate this wholesome yet tragic story. I heard a lot about it in the pre-show and doc on Anthony Perkins...but I only really knew him through Polyester. Thank you so much for this...seemed like such a great guy!
Glad hbomberguy reccomended you, great content!
What a beauty. I never knew much about him, I knew he was my type, blonde, chiseled, and a great smile.
People were cruel...Still are sometimes. Many currently famous people are still closeted for fear of the same. So tedious...
Thanks Matt Baume!
I was born in 1964, and it was hard enough growing up gay in my times. I cannot even begin to fathom what it was like in the times Tab grew up. It breaks my heart to even imagine how hard it might have been.
And yes, I have fond memories of Tab. How could anyone who saw him on screen not?
Thanks! I appreciate watching your videos as I try to understand what my uncle went through.
Thank you, I hope the videos are helpful! It's hard to imagine just how rough life could be back then, but I'm so grateful for the folks who lived through it & can talk openly about what it was like.
Rest in peace Tab and if DC ever goes back to the stuff that happened in the 80's then i fear the worst.
Now Tab and Anthony can catch up and just be close like the old days in the big sky
I've always liked Tab Hunter and thought he was gorgeous but didn't know much about him. I really enjoyed watching this video. I'm sorry for all the gay actors who were hurt by society as well as their "friends." I'm glad he was happy at the end and found a loving husband. Thank you, you did a great job and now I want to see your other works.
Thanks, glad you liked the video! It's a relief that those times are in the past -- though they could easily come back. It takes continual effort to protect the advances we've made.
You are very good at what you do, your videos are always well researched and engaging, and this one was no exception. Thank you and great work!
I highly recommend reading his biography too. Well written and illuminating. Such a good person and it comes through in the book. I wish he was still alive. I am sure he is at peace though.
I consider myself a cinephile and interested in golden age studios history yet, I'd weirdly never heard of Tab Hunter until today. What a story. What a life. Thanks for a great video once again.
Back in the 60's, when I was a twelve year old boy, I was absolutely in love with Tab Hunter.
24:56 I can’t blame him tbh…. Who could resist Anthony Perkins 😂
He did have a lot of charm! Which I imagine made it easier to overlook how he was prone to ... well, let's call it chaos.
This man has been through soo much shit and dealed with soo many snakes yet remained hardworking, lovely and incredibly chilled. RIP KING❤
I really admire his own vision for his career and the brave choices, he made to support it.
Wonderfully done Matt!
Seriously, you have to be one of the best things on You Tube. I look forward to every single one of your videos and you surpass expectations every single time.
Yay thank you so much for watching! :D
Tab was such a sweet soul. Thank you for this video, Matt.
A closeted 50s movie star with a relatively happy ending!?!?!? Thanks so much for sharing this, the last quote you shared from him brought a tear to my eye.
I love that this story has a happy ending !
Thanks Matt
Can we talk about how well researched are Matt's videos?
I just shared this wonderful video to the Gilbert Gottfried's Official Amazing Collosal Listener Society; and hope you get new listeners
You are possibly my favorite pop-culture history RUclips channel.
Yay thank you! :)
Wow, brought me to tears that his life ended so well. Great, great episode!
As always love your work. And I've consistently recommend your stuff to people I know who love entertainment history.
Thank you, and yes please do continue to tell your friends to watch, that's greatly appreciated!!!
He is ahead of his time. Resilience makes him endured the long crazy Hollywood road
I can't wait to track down Lust in the Dust & finally read his book. Thank you Matt!
I found an old biography book on Tab Hunter when I was 14 and fell in LOVE 🥰 LOVE with him. It was full of shirtless photos, this was 1978 so when my mom found it she threw it out, I was devastated! It changed my relationship with my mother. I couldn’t tell her why I was so upset so I started to ignore her and grew distant. We never recovered to this day, and I still fantasise about Tab or Tab like fellas. 💝
Good for you
Tab was willing to work hard! 😓
Old folks have the audacity to brag that there are no gays in there generation as if that's something to brag about. And this haters cant be as though as Tab who survived and came out later in the industry and opened a lot of closed stagnant minds. what a man!
Tab was in one of the great Mystery Science Theater episodes, San Francisco International. "Tab Hunter, hunting down people who don't pay their tabs."
Hey, that's how a REAL legend is made, by landing an episode of MST3K! Look what it did for Joe Don Baker, right? 😅🤣😆
I worked with tab Hunter in the 1960s and Summer stock one of the nicest kindest gentleman I've ever known. He gave a big party for the apprentices before he left one of them just a really good guy
Great stuff Matt. You have handled the biography of a man who deserved better than he received with grace and dignity. I always admired Tab Hunter, now I adore him. Thanks
This was lovely. It was sensitively told and a credit to you. I get so tired of people just out to make a fast buck and they do not care who they hurt. I remember when Tab Hunter was the latest best thing in movies. He was a gorgeous young man and we were all in love with him. May he Rest in Peace.
A wonderfully moving, poignant, and uplifting documentary, it is almost impossible to imagine the pressure this warm and generous soul lived under for so many years. He remained such an attractive man, he so deserved the love and contentment he found in his later years. Thank you for this documentary.
I just happened to come across your videos and they are excellent! It is fascinating and heartbreaking to hear about the lengths a gay star had to go through to exist in Hollywood back in the day. I could not imagine having to hide a part of myself like that and am so inspired by what some people did. I am glad actors supported Tab and Rock coming out later.
I've tried to look up this Harry Weiss character because dropping the charges for a whole party, possibly saving their careers at a moment's notice like that is incredibly impressive. But aside from an obituary from his own law firm in 2008 there doesn't seem to be much information about his life, who he was or what he stood for.
Harry seems to have had the good sense to avoid attention throughout his career -- something that all smart lawyers do, but is awfully frustrating to historians! He died in 2004, and you can find sporadic articles of people describing him, but never quotes from him. For years, he had a reputation for bargaining down those gay-entrapment charges (among other specialties) but it's very hard to know what kind of guy he was in his personal life.
I did the same as you and was unable to find much on him. Wish we knew more.
Matt, you raise the bar with each video. Thanks so much for this, such a story of triumph through vulnerability, risk taking and sheer courage. Cheers to you, Mr. Hunter.
Thanks Matt. I always liked Tab. As a young gay guy I had heard the whisper sun the 79s and took comfort from it. I enjoyed his book and Kent it to how much older coworker who had idolized him in the 50s and she was still shocked that he could be homosexual. I turned to her one day and said well of course you know I am and I thought she was gonna fall over dead. Three cheers for tab Hunter.
@Matt Baume soooo sad I missed the Live. I just know he was Mr. Stewart in Grease 2 who sings the hilarious Reproduction. I remember my parents telling me he was famous from the 50s and 60s. 😆 🤣
Hbomberguy brought me here :)
TV show host: "He never seemed to get any older...well he has" 😮 damn. Unfair beauty standards and ageism have always cut both ways ...as quiet as it is kept for men. Great Video/Post. Thank you for giving me a new gay icon❤
I know, it's such an unnecessary dig!!!
Thanks, totally enjoyed this!
Such a wonderful documentary about one of my favorite stars back when I was a teenager.
Another well-researched, well-delivered installation.
Thank you for this delightful and touching video. Tab was so special, adorable and handsome. I'm so happy he had finally met such a special guy for him who stayed till the end. That was the most wonderful of all things in his life cause he had the best reward ever in him.