All That Heaven Allows

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The definitive biography of the deeply complex and widely misunderstood matinee idol of Hollywood's Golden Age. Devastat... (more)

The definitive biography of the deeply complex and widely misunderstood matinee idol of Hollywood's Golden Age. Devastatingly handsome, broad-shouldered and clean-cut, Rock Hudson was the ultimate movie star. The embodiment of romantic masculinity in American film throughout the '50s and '60s, Hudson reigned supreme as the king of Hollywood and successfully transitioned to television in the '70s and '80s. The icon worshipped by moviegoers and beloved by his colleagues appeared to have it all. Yet beneath the suave and commanding star persona, there was an insecure, deeply conflicted, and all too vulnerable human being who grew up poor, was abandoned by his biological father, abused by an alcoholic stepfather, and controlled by his domineering mother. Despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Hudson was determined to become an actor. In a more conservative era, Hudson's wholesome, straight arrow screen image was at odds with his closeted homosexuality. As a result of his gay relationships and clandestine affairs, Hudson was continually threatened with public exposure, by scandal sheets and by a number of his own partners. For years, Hudson dodged questions concerning his private life, but in 1985 the public learned that the actor was battling AIDS. The disclosure that such a revered public figure had contracted the illness focused worldwide attention on the epidemic. Drawing on more than 100 interviews with co-stars, family members and former companions, this is a complete and nuanced portrait of one of the most fascinating stars in cinema history. Author Mark Griffin provides new details concerning Hudson's troubled relationships with wife Phyllis Gates and boyfriend Marc Christian, as well as an in-depth exploration of Hudson's classic films. With unprecedented access to private journals, personal correspondence, and production files, Griffin pays homage to the idol whose life and death had a lasting impact on American culture. (less)

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Drawing on more than 100 interviews, Mark Griffin shows how beneath Rock Hudson's suave movie star persona, was a deeply... (more)

Drawing on more than 100 interviews, Mark Griffin shows how beneath Rock Hudson's suave movie star persona, was a deeply insecure man continually threatened with public exposure of his closeted homosexuality and contraction of AIDS by both scandal sheets and his own partners. (less)