Tab Hunter & Horses : Documentary on Netflix for ya

[Silverbridge]

We were pretty dubious queuing up “Tab Hunter Confidential” on Netflix but it turned out to be much better than the cheesy title and trailer indicated.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1533089/

I knew some of Tab Hunter’s story, regarding his needing to stay in the closet, that he dated Anthony Perkins, and that the studio system orchestrated his protection from the press and marketed him as an all american hetero ideal.

I was part of the moviegoing public in the 80s who saw him in Polyester and then Lust in the Dust, a mini-resurgence to his acting career.

Something I didn’t know before seeing the documentary was that he was (and still is) extremely into horses. He was named Tab “Hunter” because he was riding hunter/jumpers when he was picked up by an agent in the late 50s.

He’s 85 now and still handles his horses daily. He credits horsemanship with keeping him sane in the rough years. He’s been with the same partner for 30 years, a producer who is 30 years younger than he. His partner produced the documentary and got access to and interviews from lots of Hollywood biggies and critics, from then and now.

I thought others might enjoy it, particularly the horse parts. As I said it’s on NetFlix.

[Hej]

Watched it a couple of weeks ago. Really liked it!

He was and is a gorgeous man, and he speaks with grace and humility about his extraordinary career.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

He also dated George Morris! (And is profiled in GM’s autobiography)!

I want to check it out–thanks for the heads-up!

[js]

He’s still great looking! Agree, he speaks with quiet grace about his career. I’m glad he has kept horses a part of his life. Interesting about GM!

[Hayburner]

such a handsome man! I never knew he was gay…

[plaidbreeches]

I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing.

[SlabSided]

I just watched this…did anyone else notice the COTH hat he was wearing in one of the later scenes where he talks about his life today? Wonder if he’s on the forum…has anyone actually seen a close up photo of Mike Matson? :winkgrin:

[Marla_100]

MM claims to be 6’6", TH is only 6ft. tall. Wouldn’t that be a hoot is TH is on here?

[OAD_Cowgirl]

I loved him in the Walt Disney movie “Hacksaw”. Loved the horse as well!

[peedin]

I don’t subscribe to Netflix, but the documentary is also available through Amazon, GooglePlay, and I think iTunes.

[islandrider]

I recently watched it too. Loved it. In one scene he is wearing a COTH hat!

[PeteyPie]

Thanks for the recommendation. It was definitely worth watching.

I forgot that he was a singer – I’m old enough to remember him as a heartthrob but too young to have had a crush on him during his Young Love recording days.

Seeing him with the Chronicle of the Horse ball cap was fun, and watching him with his horse was charming.

[2DogsFarm]

pssssst!
A friend has a pair of his tall boots - gorgeous with a brown top.
IIRC, he got them when he worked in VA for a then-BNT.
Loaned to my DH for a show, I wanted to keep them.
{swoon! DH had the same size feet as TH}

[chaserider]

Thanks for the tip about this documentary. I watched it last night and really enjoyed it - was very pleased about the amount of “horsey” content. It was so cool that he STILL rides and is still in such good shape. TH has lived an interesting life.

[findeight]

Ummmm…I remember him from when I started out showing in Cali, he had his troubles as well including some AHSA action I’m not going to post since I don’t recall all the details.

[Foxtrot_s]

No, don’t post it - we don’t need more manure being dug up - enough here already, especially when the facts are shakey.

[OlmosHeaven]

Saw him years ago at a Houston area hunter-jumper show. I think the facility was Bear Creek – this would have been in the '80s. I remember him working with a girl on a very nice black pony. Just from what I saw, he seemed like he would be a good person to train with. (I’ve seem some trainers in action at shows that would make me want to keep far away from them.:()

[Bells]

Thanks for the recommendation - it was well done and I really enjoyed it.

[JGHIRETIRE]

[QUOTE=Silverbridge;8771519]
We were pretty dubious queuing up “Tab Hunter Confidential” on Netflix but it turned out to be much better than the cheesy title and trailer indicated.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1533089/

I knew some of Tab Hunter’s story, regarding his needing to stay in the closet, that he dated Anthony Perkins, and that the studio system orchestrated his protection from the press and marketed him as an all american hetero ideal.

I was part of the moviegoing public in the 80s who saw him in Polyester and then Lust in the Dust, a mini-resurgence to his acting career.

Something I didn’t know before seeing the documentary was that he was (and still is) extremely into horses. He was named Tab “Hunter” because he was riding hunter/jumpers when he was picked up by an agent in the late 50s.

He’s 85 now and still handles his horses daily. He credits horsemanship with keeping him sane in the rough years. He’s been with the same partner for 30 years, a producer who is 30 years younger than he. His partner produced the documentary and got access to and interviews from lots of Hollywood biggies and critics, from then and now.

I thought others might enjoy it, particularly the horse parts. As I said it’s on NetFlix.[/QUOTE]

I watched that - it was pretty good - there was a lot I didn’t know about him.