The biography of renowned actor Rock Hudson is examined in this relevant investigation of Hollywood and LGBTQ+ identity, from his public "ladies' man" character to his private life as a gay ... Read allThe biography of renowned actor Rock Hudson is examined in this relevant investigation of Hollywood and LGBTQ+ identity, from his public "ladies' man" character to his private life as a gay man.The biography of renowned actor Rock Hudson is examined in this relevant investigation of Hollywood and LGBTQ+ identity, from his public "ladies' man" character to his private life as a gay man.
- Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 5 nominations total
- Self
- (archive footage)
- Self - Rock Hudson's Father
- (archive footage)
- Self - Rock Hudson's Boyfriend
- (archive footage)
- Self - Rock Hudson's Agent
- (archive footage)
- Self - Co-Star
- (archive footage)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- …
- Self - Rock Hudson's Boyfriend
- (archive footage)
- (as Bob Preble)
- Self - Fellow Actor
- (archive footage)
- …
- Self - George Nader's Long-Term Partner
- (archive footage)
- Self - Director
- (archive footage)
- Self - Film Producer
- (archive footage)
- Self - Script Supervisor
- (archive footage)
- (as Betty Abbott Griffin)
- Self - Rock Hudson's Wife
- (archive footage)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRock Hudson was the first celebrity known to have died from AIDS.
- Quotes
Self - Rock Hudson's Biographer: In some ways, Rock is the most successful creation of that golden age of Hollywood, the last of those manufactured stars where every aspect of their private life has been built by other people.
- SoundtracksMockin' Bird Hill
Performed by Jean Shepard
Written by Vaughn Horton
Published by Southern Music Pub. Co. Inc.
Courtesy of Capitol Nashville
Under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd.
Perhaps the biggest surprise here is that the secret was kept for decades, even though so many in the industry were well aware. The answer to 'why' this wasn't a big deal at a time it certainly would have been a big deal is likely related to just how likeable and nice Rock Hudson was. Not only did he have incredible appeal to both men and women, he was also an extraordinarily nice man ... a matinee idol with the real life personality of Tom Hanks. Of course, here we are almost 40 years later, and Rock Hudson's legacy is often boiled down to the fact that he was the first true celebrity to go public with his AIDS diagnosis, ultimately passing away from the disease in 1985 at age 59.
As is often the case, there is much more to the man than the headlines. After serving in the Navy during WWII, it was 1946 when he headed to Hollywood. There he met Ken Lodge who helped him get his start, and it was industry big-wig Henry Wilson who thought 'Roy Fitzgerald' was a pleasant enough name, but "Rock Hudson" was much better. And it was Wilson who molded Hudson into the 'ladies man' Adonis we grew accustomed to seeing on screen. Wilson even taught him how to come across as "hetero", and stressed the importance of not being photographed with his 'friends' while in public. We even hear candid interviews from George Nader and Mark Miller who were very close friends of Hudson's, and we understand how "The Castle" became the hangout to avoid public scrutiny.
Director Kijack is very clever in his use of archival movie clips that now can be interpreted much differently than when Hudson's movies first played. When clumped together like this, we wonder how the clues were missed, and just how intentional some of the dialogue and situations were. We hear from the doctor who diagnosed Hudson with AIDS, and the importance of Reagan politics in the era is emphasized. One of the most heart-wrenching sequences revolves around the "Dynasty" episode where Hudson, knowing he was infected with AIDS, had to kiss series star Linda Evans. We also see how his long-time friends Doris Day and Elizabeth Taylor rallied around him when he went public.
Classic film lovers know Rock Hudson received his only Oscar nomination for GIANT (1957), and it should be noted that his thirty year career spanned just about every genre: the iconic Rom-Coms with Doris Day (PILLOW TALK, 1959); dramas (ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS, 1955); war (A GATHERING OF EAGLES, 1963); westerns (BEND OF THE RIVER, 1952); science-fiction ("The Mirror Crack'd"); crime-mysteries (PRETTY MAIDS ALL IN A ROW, 1971); and thrillers (ICE STATION ZEBRA, 1968). He also starred alongside Susan Saint James and Nancy Walker in one of my favorite TV series from the 1970's, "McMillan and Wife." Yet, despite so many terrific performances, shows, and films, Rock Hudson's most challenging and impressive role was certainly that of Rock Hudson.
Premiering on MAX on June 28, 2023.
- ferguson-6
- Jun 25, 2023
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Rock Hudson: solo el cielo lo supo
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 44 minutes
- Color