New doc film about legendary actor ROCK HUDSON’s double life as a gay man packed Castro Theatre during Frameline Film Festival screening

By Oliver Carnay

Castro Theatre in San Francisco, California was in full capacity during the screening of icon Rock Hudson’s latest documentary film “ROCK HUDSON: ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWED,” on June 22nd at Frameline Film Festival.

The latest doc feature from Director Stephen Kijak, offers an intimate look at one of film history’s most magnetic stars. Mining the riches of Hudson’s storied career, director Stephen Kijak (Sid & Judy, Frameline43) deftly marries archival footage to a rich spread of interviews, reaching for the heart of its bygone gay star.

The film explores the story of a man living a double life, one whose public persona was carefully manufactured by his handlers and orchestrated by the studio system, while fearing a potentially career-ending discovery that he was privately living as a gay man.

Detailing Hudson’s life from his origins to his queer friendships, his resonance with audiences, to his taste for decor, ‘Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed’ is a satisfying and thorough catalogue of Hudson’s life and work.

Gilded with appearances from James Dean, Doris Day, and Jane Wyman, this film showcases backstage looks at tabloid coverage and studio negotiations, even touching on Hudson’s brief clashes with the FBI. Meditating always on stardom’s joys and drawbacks, this robust look at Hudson’s life never makes it feel anything but full.

Producer Carolyne Jurriaans joined Dir. Stephen Kijak for a Q&A after its West American Premiere at @framelinefest .. watch the full Q&A here below:

Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed is an intimate portrait of actor Rock Hudson, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated leading men of the 1950’s and ‘60’s and an icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age, whose diagnosis and eventual death from AIDS in 1985 shocked the world, subsequently shifting the way the public perceived the AIDS pandemic. Born Roy Fitzgerald and renamed “Rock Hudson” by his agent, with his 6’5” frame, strong physique and chiseled good looks, Hudson was the embodiment of romantic masculinity and heterosexuality.

The film is now available to watch here: https://www.hbo.com/movies/rock-hudson-all-that-heaven-allowed