Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood

I think whatever expectations you come in with will largely determine how well you like this film. If you're hoping for a rollicking, campy expose on the sexual secrets of Hollywood Babylon, you will be disappointed (Mr. Bower's book is more detailed there, though very matter of fact and not at all "Hey, roll up to see the Freak Show!" of a Babylon take). Perhaps the filmmakers themselves are to blame for any confusion - though obviously that's the saleable "hook" to his story. Here, even film and photo evidence of his sexual life are brief and fairly discreet.This is instead a sometimes slow and measured profile of an elderly man who happened to have had an unexpectedly, unplanned prominent role in the private lives of culterally prominent people. But the film is about Bowers and the prominent people and their stories are the backdrop here, spicing things up and giving context, but not eclipsing Bowers. Threading through are glimpses of his time in WW2, his surviving Buddys of his sexual heyday, his befuddled and somewhat disapproving wife, and the incidental queer activism of his life. Bowers went from hedonist to distract from trauma (which Mr. Bowers himself disputes) to Elder holding on to all possessions that cross his path as his life and story nears its close. If getting to know a profane and pithy, unapologetic Queer Elder who tells a good story doesn't interest you, give this fine Doc a pass. I was drawn in, concerned, uncomfortable, touched, and finally affectionate of this man. I appreciate his sharing his stories and his life.PS (spoilery), Mr Bowers, I very much share your grief about the loss of your dog, and understand (this is referenced, not shown).

Based on the controversial book FULL SERVICE, this documentary about Scotty Bowers—“pimp to the stars” during the Golden Age of Hollywood, plays like a cross between HOARDERS and HOLLYWOOD BABYLON.Ninety-year-old Scotty makes no apologies for the colorful life he’s led. Be it offering himself up to a gaggle of priests for sexual exploits as a tween, or arranging clandestine sex romps for celebrities via his post-WWII gas station job, or “outing” them via his book, Mr. Bowers expresses little regret. When he does, it’s for not doting on his first wife often enough, or regarding the premature death of their 20-something daughter after a botched abortion decades ago. His current wife of 35 years is an octogenarian nightclub singer, who just barely tolerates Scotty’s obsessive hoarding and nags at him to repair the health-and-safety dangers of their much-needed, but unattended-to, home repairs.Many have stated that both the book and this film are disrespectful to the memory and loved ones of the people he’s “outed”, but to be fair, there is very little “dirt” here that the general public doesn’t already know. The usual suspects are all noted: Cary Grant, Rock Hudson, etc. so those looking for some surprising juicy new nuggets may be disappointed, but this is still a well-made, interesting doc that proves that people were just as sex-obsessed back in the old days as they are now—it just wasn’t flaunted as freely as it is today.

I was looking forward to an interesting documentary that would parallel the book, but was very disappointed. Much of the film deals with Scotty's unexplained hoarding tendencies and his (now late) wife's laments about the massive clutter in which she has to live. There isn't nearly enough Hollywood gossip. The only remarkable scenes are when Scotty remembers the horrors of war and what he had to endure while fighting WWII, and one must presume this is the key to his personality. Read the book instead.

What's a handsome, lightly educated and not much more skilled young, well hung, ex-soldier to do after the War ends? Well, when a famous movie star (one of the older ones, not one of the handsomer ones, no less) drives up to the gas station where he works and invites him home, off he goes. Word gets around, and somehow the cops---the violent LA cops no less---never seem to be interested, and the scandal sheets never catch wind, and there you are. Scotty becomes something of an attendant to the stars, if you understand my drift... Naked pool parties---all male, with some of the most famous men in Hollywood of the day. Three ways with gorgeous movie stars---including women movie stars!Hey, why get particular when the muff you fluff is famous stuff?There's a spot of nudity for the sensitive---old black and white photographs---but not much. There's LOTS of crystal clear old video of Old Hollywood though, the town itself, but for those who care, also of the Stars. And then there's Scotty himself, now in his nineties, owner of several minor Hollywood hills residential properties he seems to use for his current hobby or profession---dumpster diving and hoarding. At one point he even reluctantly picks up a discarded toilet after initially denouncing it as a "not very good low flow". I still have to use the same model and I can heartily agree with him on that one at least.But why is he hoarding? Even his current wife (literal, not figurative, he's got a woman for a wife) says he wasn't hoarding when they met---and she's a quiet hoot all of her own. But no one really asks that question.It's an odd look through Hollywood's closet door where everybody is gay, or was, or fooled around, and you have to decide for yourself how much is true, but it's certainly interesting, and in his younger photos he's very easy to look at. As an old man, he's quite a charmer in front of the camera.

Read the book and got to hear more firsthand accounts from him directly.Kinda sad though because he was molested as a child from a neighbor, starting hustling with priests (mind you he was like 8 or 10!) and honestly he didn't see any issue or that it probably effected him in some way which the interviewer brings up to his attention.You also get to here from his wife, (who apparently didn't know about what he was doing either when she married him).The book really gets into some juicy stuff more then the movie, but the movie gives you a more clearer picture of the man himself.

I have the book and now the documentary. Both excellent and you may find shocking too! But you buy this to be a little shocked. Very sad to hear Scooty just passed away but he had a fantastic life. I want to believe all his stories are true and he seems very sincere. Thanks Scotty for sharing and Rest in Peace.

Back in a time when no one really cared if you were gueer in Hollywood, the stars were famous on screen and off, the public saw what they were told by the studio machine and agents.Then, times changes.Scandal would erupt if someone was somewhere they should not have been, or coming out of a seedy club or hotel room, or someones home before dawnScottie left service and started a referral service for the stars and others who wanted a particular type of person for a few hours, a quick trip up the coast.The DVD is a wonderful memory of Scotties time at the gas bar and after.Some say why did he do the DVD and write the book about everyone that is dead and can't rebuke the stories.Perhaps its because Scottie is a gentleman and didn't want anyone alive to feel "outed"Some family of the late stars deny the stories. perhaps some people don't like the "real truth" about their parents or grandparents.But the world is becoming an ugly place, isn't in more important that these stars had relationships with people they loved? Who loved them?I would have loved to have been in that inner circle of our past. To have danced, swam in their pools, had bar b q at private parties with these celebrities being their true selves, safe, in their homes with real friends - who kept quietTab Hunter was a great actor and when the word got out a "scandalous tall all" was about to be released, and and partner Allen made their own. If you don't own it, get it.Tab talks frankly about his life and the men in it.I don't know why, but I cried when I heard that Tab had died.I think of Allan, in their home, with wonderful memories of a man who loved him for a lifetimeWaiting for Scotties' the book to be available, but glad I have this.

Had heard about the book, but not yet read it so this DVD was my introduction. Language was a little course at times, but I can be a bit on the prudish side! However, that didn't affect how informative the video is and insightful to GLBT history. I believe it is very important to have the truth out there so that we honour history accurately and learn from it. Production values were quite good and this will be a permanent addition to our film library.

This is a "Great tell it like it is" movie; very refreshing view on life in the real world. Note this "Is it what people want you to see or the parts they play?" Or is it the real person ?Great History!

An important history