Greenwich Entertainment will release Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood on July 27th at Arclight Hollywood in LA, and on August 3rd at IFC Center in NYC (nationwide expansion to follow). Until then, you're only opportunity to see this revealing documentary on the salacious behind the scenes activities of some of Hollywoods most famous celebrities is by attending an upcoming screening at the Los Angeles OutFest Saturday, July 14 at the Directors Guild of America. Q&A to follow with director Matt Tyrnauer and subject Scotty Bowers.
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood is the deliciously scandalous story of Scotty Bowers, a handsome ex-Marine who landed in Hollywood after World War II and became confidante, aide de camp and lover to many of Hollywood’s greatest male, and female, stars. In the 1940s and '50s, Scotty ran a gas station in the shadow of the studio lots where he would connect his friends with actors and actresses who had to hide their true sexual identities for fear of police raids at gay bars, societal shunning and career suicide. An unsung Hollywood legend, Bowers would cater to the sexual appetites of celebrities (straight and gay) for decades.
In 2012, Bowers finally spilled his secrets in the New York Times bestselling memoir “Full Service,” which revealed a dramatic, pre-Stonewall alternate history of Hollywood. While the studio PR machines were promoting their stars as wholesome and monogamous, Bowers was fulfilling the true desires of many of them. This cinema-vérité documentary tells his story, as well as presents eye-opening takes on icons from the Hollywood Golden Age including Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Lana Turner, Ava Gardner and many more.
Although this may not be the kind of behind the scenes documentary most fans of the glamorous age of Hollywood are generally looking for, I think this film ranks up along other "not-to-be-missed" films of the year, or any year. And who can resist the opportunity to hear from a man who lived among the stars? And who can tell their stories now that they can be told. Perhaps this is just the beginning of an onslaught of similar films brave enough to reveal what once could only be whispered about.
Use the top image for location information for the screening, and use the OutFest image as a link to the festival's website.