... Robert Hofler’s cultural biography of [Henry] Willson focuses heavily on his greatest known creation, Rock Hudson, but the book also tells a story about the Hollywood system in a bygone era, in a sense setting the story straight about gay Hollywood. Willson is a figure worthy of a biography in part because of his key role in shaping the careers of many stars ... As a star maker, Willson “invented” the Hollywood hunk and its other great incarnation, the teen idol, exemplified in his creation of Tab Hunter. Hunter tells his own version of the story in his new memoir ...

Hunky Business

By CHRIS FREEMAN on January 1, 2006

The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: The Pretty
Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson
by Robert Hofler
Carroll & Graf. 468 pages, $26.

Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star
by Tab Hunter with Eddie Muller
Algonquin Books. 378 pages, $24.95

AT THE TROCADERO, one of the Sunset Strip’s hottest hangouts in the late 1940’s and early 50’s, he would give the handsomest young men a card which read, “If you are interested in getting into the movies, I can help you. Henry Willson. Agent.” Robert Hofler’s cultural biography of Willson focuses heavily on his greatest known creation, Rock Hudson, but the book also tells a story about the Hollywood system in a bygone era, in a sense setting the story straight about gay Hollywood.

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