The progress made in the last few decades towards creating an accepting world for LGBTQ+ individuals cannot be denied, though there’s still a long way to go. One of the most resonant examples of how harmful prejudice can be is the story of Golden Age Hollywood star, Rock Hudson, which will be examined in detail in the upcoming HBO documentary, Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed.
Homosexuality was perceived as a sin, depravity or mental illness during Hudson’s rise to prominence in the 1950s. As his fame grew, he became increasingly less free to be himself since even the slightest association with a gay person could have spelled the end of his career. Hudson became the most famous “closeted homosexual” in the movie industry, with his sexual orientation being revealed to the world only after he disclosed his HIV diagnosis and succumbed to death a year later.
The documentary will showcase the kind of stardom that Hudson represented, which is no longer seen in today’s tabloids. At the peak of his career, Hudson was seen as a role model by men and desired by women. Though he never made his sexual orientation a secret to his close circle of friends, he was warned never to take pictures with men he was romantically involved with. In an effort to play up his masculinity and “virility,” studios and tabloids alike marketed Hudson as a heartthrob, making the shock of his revelation all the more impactful.
Starring in classic movies such as Magnificent Obsession, Bengal Brigade, Pillow Talk, and Giant, Hudson’s legendary career will be revisited in the documentary, which will also cover his HIV diagnosis and subsequent death, making him a symbol for the LGBTQ+ community in the mid-80s. The community fought tirelessly during this time against doctors who refused to take AIDS seriously and begin research into potential treatments and cures.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker, Stephen Kijak, who has also helmed We Are X, If I Leave Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Shoplifters of the World, Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed explores the actor’s breakout performances, as well as the religious and sexual undertones present in the documentary’s title.
The documentary premieres on June 28th, and the trailer is available below.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
