Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star

Amazon.com

With very little hedging, great good humor, and no pretentiousness, Tab Hunter Confidential delivers the straight story on how a young, gorgeous kid named Art Gelien, child of an absent father and a repressed, platitude-spouting mother, suddenly became a teen hearthrob, known as "The Sigh Guy." Tab Hunter was, in the 1950s, one of the reigning hunks, every teenage girl's dreamboat. He dated Debbie Reynolds and other starlets, did countless interviews about the kind of girl he would marry and, through it all, kept his private life very private. Tab Hunter was gay before gay meant anything other than joyful exuberance.

Henry Willson, famous and infamous agent and creator of stars, named Tab Hunter. He also tagged Rock Hudson, Rory Calhoun, and other young sex symbols. Not all of them were gay, but they came to be known as Harry Willson's boys. (Another book about this time and subject is The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: The Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson by Robert Hofler.) Tab Hunter was completely manufactured. He even speaks of himself in the third person in the book.

Before he was 26, Hunter had hit the trifecta: he was a movie star, had a hit single in "Young Love," and was on the first live production of Playhouse 90 on television. His future success looked assured, but such was not the case. It was either feast of famine for the next few years. He was never a solid A-list leading man, but had his share of famous co-stars and leading ladies nevertheless.

While he was struggling with his true identity and trying to stay afloat financially, his mother had a complete breakdown and he was forced to hospitalize her in less than ideal conditions. This also had to be a secret from the fans. His friendships, both intimate and platonic, kept him going, as well as his deep faith in Catholicism. Yes, Catholicism. Tab Hunter has his own unique pact with God.

The book is filled with many pictures of Tab and his friends and with anecdotes about the stars: Tallulah Bankhead on her last legs, fuzzy and outrageous; Linda Darnell's kindness; John Wayne's macho strutting; Fred Astaire's humility; Van Heflin's professionalism, and on and on. This is sheer heaven for any movie fan. His relationship with Tony Perkins is noted, as is his liaison with Olympic figure skater Ronnie Robertson. (Tab, in addition to being an actor, singer and horseman was also an accomplished figure skater.) When the good parts disappeared after he left Warner Brothers, he went on tour with the Everly Brothers. Much later, now fully "out" he joined Divine in two John Waters movies: Polyester and Lust in the Dust, both cult classics. After suffering a stroke and a heart attack, he is now enjoying life in Santa Barbara with his longtime companion, Allan Glaser. As Tab succinctly puts it regarding his story: "Better to get it from the horse's mouth, I decided, and not from some horse's ass." --Valerie Ryan

Book Description

Art Gelien was just a kid when an agent asked him if he wanted to be in movies. Blessed with extraordinary good looks and enough smarts to know that he had a lot to learn, that kid said yes. Rechristened Tab Hunter, he was launched on a journey that carried him to stardom. First he became a pin-up favorite of teenage girls worldwide and then a number one box-office star; then he recorded a song called “Young Love” that knocked Elvis Presley off the top of the charts—and all the time he had to keep secret the fact that he was gay.

In Tab Hunter Confidential, written with Eddie Muller, Hunter looks back on a life lived without apologies and a career that soared, then crashed, and then later—thanks to popular cult-film auteur John Waters—enjoyed a revival. It is a true Hollywood story, told with humor and insight.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Read.......2007-10-05

This books is an excellent read. Not overly familiar with the subject or his career, I still greatly enjoyed reading about Tab Hunter's varied experiences in the last years of the dying Hollywood studio system. Hunter got a lot of breaks because he was good looking, then experienced hard times as he aged out of the pretty-boy phase of his career. His persistence in the face of this drastic fall from grace is impressive - he certainly served his time in the dinner theater circuit. His willingness to take chances and to live his life his way without advertising his personal beliefs is admirable. Also nice was his discussion of the loves of his life, male and female, without coming across as a kiss-and-tell kind of guy. Best part, the sense of humor behind the narrative makes even the negative events interesting to read about. I will definately order some of his movies he describes in the book as I feel he gives a fair assessment of their quality.

Interesting .......2007-03-09

I enjoyed the book and was glad to have read it. My only disappointment is in the author himself. Revealing a rather shallow self.

Every page was fascinating!.......2007-02-21

I knew little about Tab Hunter before reading this book and couldn't name one Tab Hunter movie, but I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging, informative, and fascinating story. Every page has insights into the movie business, movie history, and Hollywood society. Hunter's professional history spans the full range of a working actor's career, from struggling between parts to becoming a movie superstar during the last days of the studio contract system, to being a huge pop star, to working in television, Broadway, stock, dinner theater, and even producing.

Hunter's personal story is equally compelling, from his difficult childhood to becoming an internationally known horseman, his European jetsetting period (Visconti, Nureyev, Prince Michael of Greece, the Queen of Belgium, etc., etc.), and the legendary people in his circle of friends. This book is an important historical record, a fascinating inside look at show business, and a great read. You'll thoroughly enjoy it.

a work of Art........2007-01-09

This book was recommended to me and I must say I enjoyed it very much.
The incidents with bad press throughout his career were interesting to read about. Writing any kind of biography leaves you vulnerable to having your character judged. I for one choose not to judge the man's choices and character. All-in-all, I put the book down liking Tab. It's well written and I thought the man's journey has been extraordinary. I'm glad he shared it with us.

Intriguing, pacy and elagant, yet unpretentious style.......2007-01-05

I had not known much about Tab Hunter, and read his biography after reading the slightly less elegant biography about Rock Hudson's agent (and at one time, Tab's). I can't remember watching any of his films (I'm 43) but it was an intriguing and interesting read, simply as a human story.....

Book Description

As these avid quilters discuss their motivation for joining in, they offer a beautiful how-to handbook so others can share the same joy. “The beauty of these quilts is mindblowing.” —Library Journal. “Charming... a wealth of directions... The gallery of more than 45 quilts is worthy of submission to a national contest.”—Booklist.

Customer Reviews:

A BEAUTIFUL BOOK.......2001-03-19

Although I am a "child of the city", I must say that this elegant book gives me some pause. Not in this lifetime, but perhaps in the next, I will be fortunate enough to find myself among such lovely people doing such lovely things. See for yourself!

Strength is in the sharing of a sense of community........2001-03-08

While the "how-to" part of this book is important and useful, I especially like the sense of community that is communicated by the numerous quotes. (I would have enjoyed even more quotes.) The photographs in the book are beautiful, and the quality of the paper (it's nice and heavy) ensures that the book can withstand lots of use.

Community Quilts.......2001-02-19

This unique book records 25 years of quilting by a special group of women who live in a close knit community in rural North Carolina. These quilts were made for friends and neighbors, births and anniversarys, marriages and moving away. They are works of art. CQ gives much insight into the planning and production of these quilts and the recipients pleasure in receiving them. If you are interested in knowing just how to put a quilt together, this book will help you step by step. The group actually made a quilt to demonstrate for the book. The quilt will be donated to raise money for a new county library. The beautiful color photos and heartwarming stories make this book very appealing to quilters and others alike.

Popular Games for Positive Play: Activities for Self-Awareness

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Popular Games for Positive Play: Activities for Self-Awareness
Barbara Sher
Manufacturer: Communication Skill Builders
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

Does this exchange sound familiar?

Adult: What are you doing?

Child: Just playing.

Adult (turning away): Okay. Have fun. Just playing is not a phrase to be taken so lightly. While playing, children learn important concepts about their abilities and relationships. The more than 400 games in this inspiring and valuable professional resource build on children's love of fantasy, action, creativity, rhythm, and rhyme. Learning is subtly incorporated in the guise of a lighthearted romp. Many of the activities are appropriate also for developmentally delayed adults and elders. Author Barbara Sher, M.A., OTR, is an occupational therapist with an extensive background in child development. Instilling her own sense of humor and imagination into the instructions, she knows how ordinary games can be used to consciously develop skills and a positive self-image. She also shows adults that it is not too late to join the fun. Children's all-around development is enhanced because the games have no right or wrong responses, need no special equipment (players imagine most of the props), and are not concerned with winning and losing. The activities have been designed or adapted to enhance:

Relaxation

Imagination

Flexibility

Self-esteem

Relationships

Self-knowledge

Sensory awareness

Perceptual motor skills

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Psychiatric Music Therapy In The Community: The Legacy Of Florence Tyson

Manufacturer: Barcelona Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Psychotherapy, TA & NLP | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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The Amazing Jamnasium: A Playful Companion to Together in Rhythm (Book & Enhanced Cd)

Together in Rhythm: A Facilitator's Guide to Drum Circle Music (Book & DVD)

ASIN: 1891278150

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Psychiatric music therapy in the community: The legacy of florence tyson. Gilsum, NH: Barcelona Publishers [A book review from: The Arts in Psychotherapy]
R.S. Kagin
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000RR1JHE

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from The Arts in Psychotherapy, published by Elsevier in 2005. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:

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Community Music Therapy

Manufacturer: KINGSLEY JESSICA PUB
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GXDQCA

Book Description

Star Trek: Groundbreaking science fiction.... Cultural phenomenon.... Ever-expanding television franchise. Source of provocative case studies in human psychology?

Yes, say expert researchers and devoted Trekkers, Robert Sekuler and Randolph Blake. Their acclaimed Star Trek on the Brain (now available in paperback) is a provocative splicing of Star Trek, psychology, and neuroscience, exploring the mind and brain using anecdotes from the original Star Trek episodes, the Star Trek movies, and the spin-off TV series: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager. Star Trek diehards and novices alike will find the journey surprising, amusing, and enriching. 16 illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

words.......2000-01-30

Ah, yes, words. the right brains answer to the analytical subconsious forming the 4th quandrant connection in the Jungian alchemey. But the real question is does Neurontin form a limit cycle by shunting inhibition, (by blocking GABA) or neuronal burst oscillation with L-type calcium channel gates. For word people, does Alien abduction have anything to do with the boogey man will get you? Or is it related to Nocturanal Assault Syndrome.

Star Trek Brain Candy.......2000-01-19

For starters, this is NOT a scholarly book. It's brain candy -- delightful but still brain candy. (From reading the reviews on this page, you'd think it was written by some cutting edge neurologist whose goal in life is to figure out why Neurontin actually WORKS.) Still, it gets 4 Stars from me for having two whole pages devoted to the DS9 episode "Babel" -- in which the entire cast is striken with aphasia. Major Kudos to the authors for differentiating between Brocca's and Wernicke's Aphasias. Subtract kudos for not mentioning the STNG episode "Darmok" where the characters communicate in metaphor. Kudos Regained for their simple explanation of schizophrenia -- it will surprise a lot of readers and is essentially if simplisticly correct. I read Star Trek on the Brain in one sitting. It made me laugh and it made me think. It didn't make any connections I hadn't already made myself. I'd reccommend this book to anybody with a working knowledge of Star Trek who'd like a little "dessert" with their critical studies.

School Library Journal Review.......1999-02-07

This book was on School Library Journal's Best Books of 1998 List. It was originally reviewed in SLJ's December 1998 issue.

Out of this world and into your brain. Fabulous!.......1998-08-24

A wonderful diversion that also gives good science. The chapter on sex could teach Bill and Monica new tricks. I loved learning why we are the way we are through references to my favorite Star Trek characters -- now I know how Jordie can see with no eyes and why B'Elana has a chip on her shoulder -- but even those who never watched Star Trek will get it.

If you enjoy your brain, come learn more!.......1998-07-14

Delightfully fascinating and complete, this book is important for anyone who owns a brain and is interested in its workings -- that is, anyone who wants to understand themselves, or others, better.

The rich variety of the Star Trek milieu provides Sekuler and Blake with a deeper-than-usual backdrop against which to illuminate both the differences and the similarities which make us all human.

From sex to aggression, the authors deftly explore the drives, behaviors and processes which constitute our experience of living in the world.

Prior familiarity with Star Trek is not needed. Anyone drawn to the book by that name alone will be very pleasantly surprised by how much more they find here. Conversely, strangers to that fictional universe will gain a fresh appreciation of it as literature which explores the nature of the human condition.

Book Description

For the past two decades, Broadcast and Cable Selling has served students and professionals in the broadcast and cable industries as an indispensable tool for learning, training, and mastering sales techniques for the electronic media. Now, in an era of media convergence and cross-platform selling, authors Warner and Buchman have re-crafted this landmark text as Media Selling: Broadcast, Cable, Print, and Interactive, Third Edition.In the last decade, the media industries have experienced unprecedented consolidation and sweeping change. The third edition of Media Selling addresses these significant industry changes and continues to be the seminal resource for information on media sales. The text retains all of its original focus on the electronic media, while adding in-depth and expanded information on newspaper, magazine, Interactive, Yellow Pages, and outdoor/billboard.Among the new chapters and features to this edition, readers will find a particularly relevant chapter on sales ethics, a chapter on emotional intelligence (discerning and then matching the emotional needs of a prospect), and up-to-date information on Interactive media selling. Praised by educators and sales training managers throughout the country, Media Selling: Broadcast, Cable, Print, and Interactive, Third Edition advocates a solution selling approach that one reviewer called "the best synthesis of behavioral psychology, common sense, and professional salesmanship I 've ever read. "

Customer Reviews:

Media Selling and Media Literacy.......2004-12-19

Mass Media has replaced the public square in the 21st Century. I teach production and design for media. For those who want to teach media literacy and an understanding of media and media systems in the United States this book offers valuable insight into our media's inner workings. Charles Warner spent decades in the trenches and board rooms of major media organizations. Without the knowledge of the inner workings of the systems for which they design, my students cannot produce meaningful and transformational design for the industry. As consumers of media and practitioners in the making of media, we need to understand the media selling world. Charles Warner's real world anecdotes are worth the price of the book. The Cable Television chapter by William Grimes is required reading for my Broadcast Design students. This book essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how the economics of media affects the democratic dialogue in the public sphere.

Media Sales Exec........2004-02-27

This book is a must read for anyone interested in getting into media sales or those wanting to sell more effectively. Charlie is a consummate pro who balances decades worth of actual media sales experience (not as a consultant, but as a front line seller) with finely honed skills as a teacher. His contributing authors take a pragmatic approach to each of their subjects that allows you to jump to the section to match your interest in specific media platforms. Read this book yourself and make it required reading for your sales staff and watch the number of sales call go up, quality pipeline increase and deals get to closure faster.

fFinally a comprehensive text for MEDIA SELLING.......2004-02-13

There have been scores of texts devoted to transactional selling skills. There are also some fine texts on Media Planning and buying....This is the first that I have uncovered that gives a comprehensive view to the skills needed to establish value and compete as a media sales rep. I was in radio sales management for27 years..I am currently teaching Advertising Sales at the University level...this text resembles the first 3 months of a rookie sales person.

Terrific background.......2004-02-12

The anecdotes help make this an interesting read..which is difficult for a textbook. It is excellent for something thinking about going into the field or who is looking to review the basics.

Great read...especially for a textbook.......2004-02-12

I found mr. warner and mr. buchman's book an excellent treatise on media sales. I also enjoyed the anecdotes. I have not seen a book like it.

Broadcast and Cable Selling (Wadsworth Series in Mass Communication)

Average customer rating:

A great book on the basics of broadcasting sales.

Broadcast and Cable Selling (Wadsworth Series in Mass Communication)
Charles H. Warner , and Joseph Buchman
Manufacturer: Wadsworth Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Advertising | Marketing & Sales | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Television | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Since the Second Edition was published in 1991, the long established Birch Company has gone out of business, leaving Arbitron as the only national radio ratings firm. This revision updates the radio ratings material in several chapters to account for and highlight the implications of this change. Praised by educators and sales training managers throughout the country, the Updated Second Edition continues to give students a needs/satisfaction approach to selling that one reviewer has called the best synthesis of behavioral psychology, common sense, and professional salesmanship Ive ever read. A complete guide, the book covers selling not only to retailers and small market advertisers, but also to large-market, ratings-oriented retailers and advertising agencies.

Customer Reviews:

A great book on the basics of broadcasting sales........1998-07-10

I would recommend this text book to anyone who is interested in selling advertising time for Radio, Television, or Cable broadcasters. It is mandatory reading for all new Account Executives on my Sales Staff.

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A Step by Step Guide on How to Sell
Dr. Michael J. DiLauro, Ed.D.
High School Student
I've used this reference and found it excellent!
A quick read

There is No Box!
David P. D'Eugenio
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1553958063
Release Date: 2006-07-06

Book Description

Product Description: Selling requires mental toughness and optimism. There Is No Box! is the most comprehensive paperback written for progressive sales and marketing management for today's professional sellers.

Each sales, marketing and management topic is consolidated for quick reference.

Topics include:
Time Management
Sales Management
Change Management
Advance Selling Techniques
Brand and NTR Management
Management Development
Case Studies
Discussion Topics

Solution selling for today's best sellers is art and science. The science is more psychology and sociology than technical. The art is in the presentation, and the technical is in the information that is vital to selling. How you wrapped that information is as important as what you present. How you execute the skills you have learned determines your success. What you will need to learn to improve your career and to give you a sense of confidence is in There Is No Box.

Customer Reviews:

A Step by Step Guide on How to Sell.......2005-12-17

"There is No Box" takes the reader through the entire sales process in step by step order. One would have to read and study multiple Sales and Motivational books to get what is contained in "There is No Box." This book is great for both new and experienced sellers. I carry "There is No Box" in my bag with me everyday for easy and quick reference.

Dr. Michael J. DiLauro, Ed.D........2005-09-16

THERE IS NO BOX should be required reading for all college freshman. It is more than a sales and marketing text.

THERE IS NO BOX is a must read for minds that strive for ongoing personal growth.Optimism and mental toughness are overriding themes in the book which translates into long-term self improvement.

High School Student.......2005-08-22

My dad purchased There Is No Box for me and it helped me with my buisness class. I suggested this book to my friends and they LOVED it! I'm looking foward to getting and reading the updated version.

I've used this reference and found it excellent!.......2004-05-15

I have read a lot of sales books and have attended more than my share of sales seminars. Seldom is the content clearly written by sales managers, for sales people. In THERE IS NO BOX, the information is of "how to" rather than "one should" of real examples rather that philosophies about what should work and answers a lot of tough questions where others have failed to go.

A quick read.......2004-05-03

I found "There Is No Box" by accident while surfing for new management books on sales and marketing. (I didn't expect a book on sales to be titled; "There Is No Box".) But it was the title that actually got me interested. I have had excellent success for years in sales and marketing. Now as a manager, I wanted a reference book, a quick read reminder to keep me and my sales department fresh without long examples or boring material. This book did just that. Each subject is concise and easy enough to bring into a sales meeting and talk about for a few minutes. The techniques are proven and the author doesn't impose his way, but instead credits others that along the way have contributed successful selling ideas. I strongly recommend this book for those who want a reference to keep in their briefcase of on their desktop. If you're new to selling, this book will give you an excellent start by developing your personal skills as it leads you through the selling process. I also agree with another reviewer that this is excellent for students.

My two cents. (selling out free broadcasting)(Editorial): An article from: Video Age International

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My two cents. (selling out free broadcasting)(Editorial): An article from: Video Age International
Dom Serafini
Manufacturer: TV Trade Media, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00093U512
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Video Age International, published by TV Trade Media, Inc. on January 1, 1996. The length of the article is 556 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: My two cents. (selling out free broadcasting)(Editorial)
Author: Dom Serafini
Publication: Video Age International (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 1996
Publisher: TV Trade Media, Inc.
Volume: v16 Issue: n1 Page: p4(1)

Article Type: Editorial

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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