I met Tab Hunter when he was in Provincetown not that many years ago when his autobiographical film was screened. He was really lovely. We had quite a long chat considering the number of people and he very willingly took quite a few photographs with me. He was with his husband, who I believe made the film. There was absolutely no snobbery in his demeanor. He was interested and interesting, self-aware and supportive of those around him. beautiful inside and out!
Watch this video of Tab in his white undershirt and then imagine yourself kissing Tab Hunter in his prime. That must have been exhilarating! This guy has such an obvious vitality about him, he seems almost electrifying.
@@anonyarena🤔I guess Anthony Perkins had him all to himself once with lots of kissing sessions I'm jealous..Too bad folks can't be true themselves and honest with other people without losing your job.. still goes on with this prejudice and violence George escape folks.. last year I was attacked with shattering my meniscus by this homophobic pizza store owner. I'm 71 years old. I thought I'd avoid these crippling violent attacks on my later years I'm forced to walk crippled the rest of my life
@@JamesBrown-ij1px”Please don’t say what you really mean. Say what _I_ want to hear or nothing at all, because that suits _my_ sensibilities and satisfies my desire to come across as magnanimous in a ‘current thing’ kind of way.” People do not need “permission” to have their own opinions, and virtue signaling does not make you virtuous.
What a fabulous episode! Lots of "Gay Code" for those in the know. Tab was an exceptionally beautiful and talented man, made even more 'special' as he was gay. How wonderful! Ernie made a good 'roommate'. I was only 6 years old at the time of this broadcast. How different my life might have been, if I had been aware of Tab as a role model. Knowledge is Power!!!
I am from the Philippines, child of the psychedelic era. I was very young then and remember watching Tab Hunter in the early 1960s TV. Handsome and charming Tab, no doubt about it.
@@rogerpropes7129 Given he had one of the bestselling hits of the rock and roll era, and Warner Records was set up for him specifically... I guess nobody.
Tab was by all reports a very kind and humble guy. When he started, his acting carreer after being discovered randomly, he really needed work. While he could have ridden the wave of good looks, he put in the time with acting coaches and became a heartthrob AND a pretty good actor. Respect. RIP buddy.
Tab was seriously the most devastatingly handsome guy who ever lived. So my type. Nice that these old shows are showing up on UA-cam. I also share a birthday with Tennessee Ernie Ford.
In some Tab Hunter interview or his autobiography he told how he could not walk down his high school halls without the girls basically causing a riot over him.
I was embarrassed for him. You can look at his face and see how he felt saying what he did, and having to go through this over and over and over again.
He made peace with the game he had to play in the public, but I think he wasn't completely closeted even during that time the way Anthony Perkins was. Tab and Anthony were lovers for a while.
The '61 Ford was so much better looking than the Chevrolet or Plymouth. Their self adjusting breaks was a real breakthrough. Tab Hunter ! Look at that smile ! OMG ! What a handsome young guy.
I know my grandma watched the Ford show even though I was a baby at the time because I remember her playing Tennessee Ernie Ford gospel albums as a kid
The skettch os the "two poor artists" male bachelor living under one roof, 1 bed, didn't brought any questions. That subject was still so unimaginale for the masses :)
God, it must have sucked to be a gay celebrity back then. He's hounded about not being married when he's secretly dating Anthony Perkins. He eventually did get married to the man he was with for 35 years.
Why do I get the feeling that the conversation he was having with Ernie Ford was written to embarrass tab or make him feel uncomfortable. Like it was some kind of a private joke.
Although things are better today, it still 'sucks' that Hollywood and American Society still diminishes gay individuals in employment, housing, and in representation in education both as educators, students, and with Gay history.
Love those late 50's early 60's American cars... they were like space ships to us kids living in the UK at the time... we never had anything like them. Today no matter which country you happen to be in, cars look pretty generic. It's hard to determine where they are from. Nice video, thanks for posting.
Tan Hunter, under a personal contract with Jack Warner’s Warner Brothers Film Studio…also with Warner Brother’s music division, was scheduled for TV Network Variety musical programs, for exposure as a musical performer, helping his recordings sales exposure…!
@@rextrek Ironically, some of the greatest African American performers of all time were from this era! Whether it’s Nat King Cole, Mahalia Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr, or Odetta, all these stars were under appreciated in their time!
I didn't know that. The therapy did not take as Tony had lots and lots of partners even long after he was married - according to reports. I know Tab was disappointed when Tony "took" the movie lead roll in Fear Strikes Out that Tab had wanted. Ever think that Alfred Hitchcock's movie casting was based upon actor's actual true natures?
Anthony Perkins was a fool. Betray someone like that just for a career? At least Tab had dignity, he even visited Perkins later in life, just shows you what a true gentleman he really was.
The Ford commercials were staged on the NBC TV Burbank video-tape studio #2, adjacent the studio #4 stage…! The commercials were previously video-taped, rolled into the live broadcast presentation…! The Tennessee Ernie Ford Variety show was also video-taped, broadcast to NYCity, then broadcast in the West Coast, again from the Burbank facility…!
i was 5 in '61 and i wonder if Connie Francis was on this show. Tab was a very special guy handsome as he was...Great guy. i wonder what became of his brother's and 1 sister.
I'm confused - I thought the FIRST Charlie Brown animation was for the 1965 Christmas special...........how can there be such good Peanuts animation in something from 1961!?
HOW DID THIS SHOW GET PASS THE NETWORK CENSORS? LOL. TAB HUNTER IN A VERY TIGHT WET T-SHIRT. LOL That whole bed-sit skit with hot dogs, salami, and rosebud radishes?
I am frankly relieved that they had enough class, elegance and discretion to NOT flaunt the private matters of their personal life. Shows respect to all. I know that’s a new concept to most now. The fact is, we all had better, more interesting things to care about than ourselves.
Well, gay people had to do that to survive especially in Hollywood where your career depended on selling to the general public whether it be a movie or record. Do you really think he enjoyed playing the straight heartthrob in that interview? Of course not. It wasn't about discretion. It was about survival.
I Never interested, Who's fucking whom !!! But I interested, what He Done ! /ín concert,on LP, CD, film, etc./ What's a shame ! Mea culpa, mea Maxima culpa !!!Ashes keep fallin'on my head...etc.M❤
We really knew how to keep up appearances back then. Now it’s all tats, fatty, skin, and most dress like homeless crims. Depravity keeps getting worse as the years pass.
Yes, we did know how to keep up appearances back then. Black were second class citizens and were kept in line. Gays had to hide and lie, or be out of work. Women knew their place, housewives.
@@anderander5662 - LOL! The initial comment “We really knew how to keep up appearances back then...[the] Depravity keeps getting worse...” implies that Hunter being gay was a form of Depravity, and keeping it hidden was a good thing. I was pointing out that it was because of the bigotry of that time, something that based on the comment was a good thing. My point was we have progressed, not digressed. If attempting to be positive and look at history from the perspective that things are different, but not necessarily bad makes me a Karen, you have entirely misunderstood the Karen/Chad phenomenon. 😎
Tab loved his liquor. Heavy drinker. The hard stuff . Whiskey scotch tequila etc . Good actor though. If he was light in the loafers and preferred the ol baloney pony then that was his choice and nobody should criticize the guy . So what if he chose the Oscar mayer weiner
Tab was never straight, you just thought he was. The only thing that changed was your perception, and you thought less of him when you knew. Tab had to hide his secret most of his life because he needed to work, so he could live and eat.
@@Erin-Thor It is a good observation, but when you think about it, ALL public figures put up a front. In Tab's case it had to be over who he slept with. If you look at politicians, attorneys, clergy, etc, really ANY public figures, they are actors portraying parts for the public perception. We allow this in society. Well, we really demand this. In 1961 THOUGH, I can say closeted and gay may not have been the worse thing to deal with. Tab worked and then lost his luster due to a "new generation of Beatles". Tab had a good life, regardless. The same struggles all people have but he turned out just fine.
![What's My Line? - Tab Hunter; Martin Gabel [panel]; Richard Kollmar [panel] (Feb 3, 1957)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ErgnfxtVbj8/mqdefault.jpg)
I met Tab Hunter when he was in Provincetown not that many years ago when his autobiographical film was screened. He was really lovely. We had quite a long chat considering the number of people and he very willingly took quite a few photographs with me. He was with his husband, who I believe made the film.
There was absolutely no snobbery in his demeanor. He was interested and interesting, self-aware and supportive of those around him. beautiful inside and out!
Watch this video of Tab in his white undershirt and then imagine yourself kissing Tab Hunter in his prime. That must have been exhilarating! This guy has such an obvious vitality about him, he seems almost electrifying.
I missed him by 1 day on a trip to Palm Springs when he was book signing. I would have been great to meet him.
@@anonyarena🤔I guess Anthony Perkins had him all to himself once with lots of kissing sessions I'm jealous..Too bad folks can't be true themselves and honest with other people without losing your job.. still goes on with this prejudice and violence George escape folks.. last year I was attacked with shattering my meniscus by this homophobic pizza store owner. I'm 71 years old. I thought I'd avoid these crippling violent attacks on my later years I'm forced to walk crippled the rest of my life
Tab Hunter in his young days had extraordinary good looks. So very handsome.
I think he still looked very attractive as he got older to.
Tab Hunter ALWAYS had 'extraordinary good looks'. Please don't be ageist.
@@JamesBrown-ij1px”Please don’t say what you really mean. Say what _I_ want to hear or nothing at all, because that suits _my_ sensibilities and satisfies my desire to come across as magnanimous in a ‘current thing’ kind of way.”
People do not need “permission” to have their own opinions, and virtue signaling does not make you virtuous.
What a fabulous episode! Lots of "Gay Code" for those in the know. Tab was an exceptionally beautiful and talented man, made even more 'special' as he was gay. How wonderful! Ernie made a good 'roommate'. I was only 6 years old at the time of this broadcast. How different my life might have been, if I had been aware of Tab as a role model. Knowledge is Power!!!
RIP Tab, You were loved.
BS no code . Nothing special about being gay.
You are so right . I was about 17 at the time of Tab's career . But better not be 'gay' in the 50's .
I am from the Philippines, child of the psychedelic era. I was very young then and remember watching Tab Hunter in the early 1960s TV. Handsome and charming Tab, no doubt about it.
Tab was so beautiful 😍
It's so sad he had to hide his true self.
Who on Earth knew he could sing?
@@rogerpropes7129 Given he had one of the bestselling hits of the rock and roll era, and Warner Records was set up for him specifically... I guess nobody.
Tab hunter and Montgomery Clift would have made a excellent couple
@@KevinJohnson-vm4ju Nah, Clift was basically a nut case.
Tab was by all reports a very kind and humble guy. When he started, his acting carreer after being discovered randomly, he really needed work. While he could have ridden the wave of good looks, he put in the time with acting coaches and became a heartthrob AND a pretty good actor. Respect. RIP buddy.
I always wanted to have a 1961 Ford, as well as Tab Hunter but I ended up with neither!
You still can purchase a 61 Ford. They are still around, Tab is not.
@@tonykool5347 LMAO, Damn you, I was going to write the same thing. 😄
Tab was seriously the most devastatingly handsome guy who ever lived. So my type. Nice that these old shows are showing up on UA-cam. I also share a birthday with Tennessee Ernie Ford.
I’m sure Tab Hunter would appreciate those kind words. I hope you like Steve Allen, because some of his shows are coming up soon!
@@geraldbaker4019 Looking forward to those shows. TY
In some Tab Hunter interview or his autobiography he told how he could not walk down his high school halls without the girls basically causing a riot over him.
It must have been exhausting for Tab to constantly be asked why he is still single.
He couldn't come out as gay. Not back then....but it was known he was with Anthony Perkins.
Tab Hunter had a beautiful voice, I never heard him sing.
He had #1 hits and quite a successful recording career.
Yeah, and that body.
So, so beautiful. And Tab had to fake being straight due to the era.
OMG............. Tab Hunter was so gorgeous!
“We have to keep up a front.”
Tab Hunter.
.
Lord, ain’t that the truth
I was embarrassed for him. You can look at his face and see how he felt saying what he did, and having to go through this over and over and over again.
Tab is iconic💙
The suit and skinny tie are killer. Great look.
Agree. Those skinny ties so stylish
It's really sad that Tab Hunter couldn't be his true self and had to hide his sexuality. I'm glad we don't live in that repressed era anymore.
He was professional. Sex was not an important part of his job. He was attractive to everyone. THAT WAS HIS JOB!
"That repressed era" seems to be coming back. Vote, vote, vote, unless you want to go through that shit again.
He made peace with the game he had to play in the public, but I think he wasn't completely closeted even during that time the way Anthony Perkins was. Tab and Anthony were lovers for a while.
The same happened with Raymond Burr
@tz3218if gay people should be discreet than so should straight people.
The '61 Ford was so much better looking than the Chevrolet or Plymouth. Their self adjusting breaks was a real breakthrough. Tab Hunter ! Look at that smile ! OMG ! What a handsome young guy.
Tab makes Brad Pitt look like Tennessee Ernie Ford
Rudolph Valentino makes Tab look like Danny DeVito
There have been many beautiful men in Hollywood over the decades. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Unnecessary comment.
@@JamesBrown-ij1px Sorry Mr. Ford thought you were dead
But Paul Newman made Tab look like Woody Allen.
Such a beautiful man! Rip❤
I know my grandma watched the Ford show even though I was a baby at the time because I remember her playing Tennessee Ernie Ford gospel albums as a kid
This is soaked in innuendo through and through
Rosebud radishes and hot dogs...nuttin' else to say...love the clip.
Gasp!!!!!!!!!
It just now hit me.
I love Tab Hunter he is so beautiful, I also love that he dated Anthony Perkins.
The skettch os the "two poor artists" male bachelor living under one roof, 1 bed, didn't brought any questions. That subject was still so unimaginale for the masses :)
God, it must have sucked to be a gay celebrity back then. He's hounded about not being married when he's secretly dating Anthony Perkins. He eventually did get married to the man he was with for 35 years.
Why do I get the feeling that the conversation he was having with Ernie Ford was written to embarrass tab or make him feel uncomfortable. Like it was some kind of a private joke.
Although things are better today, it still 'sucks' that Hollywood and American Society still diminishes gay individuals in employment, housing, and in representation in education both as educators, students, and with Gay history.
I read WB created Warner Records so they could market his music directly.
That's true.
Love those late 50's early 60's American cars... they were like space ships to us kids living in the UK at the time... we never had anything like them.
Today no matter which country you happen to be in, cars look pretty generic. It's hard to determine where they are from.
Nice video, thanks for posting.
Tan Hunter, under a personal contract with Jack Warner’s Warner Brothers Film Studio…also with Warner Brother’s music division, was scheduled for TV Network Variety musical programs, for exposure as a musical performer, helping his recordings sales exposure…!
……a really kind and fine gentleman…met him in Santa Fe, NM…
Oh man @18:38 sniffing his roommates salami was really pushing his luck in ‘61! Can’t imagine how that made the cut.
Tab should have done more comedy. He has good instincts and timing.
Love seeing The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show in color videotape with commercials
I loved this! :)
16th...! Dammm I was 1 when this aired......now 60.....WTF!? Where has time gone....?
its hard not to notice nowadays , lookin' back...how "White-Centric" TV was then.....Barely a sign, IF ANY of diversity
@@rextrek Ironically, some of the greatest African American performers of all time were from this era! Whether it’s Nat King Cole, Mahalia Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr, or Odetta, all these stars were under appreciated in their time!
Which is more beautiful? Tab Hunter or the 1961 Ford?
Very funny,, but obviously Tab is better looking. The 1957 or 59 models might have given him a run for his money, though.
TAB.
Imagine, Anthony Perkins dumped this guy and later submitted to gay conversion therapy! who the fuck would leave this beautiful man??
I didn't know that.
The therapy did not take as Tony had lots and lots of partners even long after he was married - according to reports.
I know Tab was disappointed when Tony "took" the movie lead roll in Fear Strikes Out that Tab had wanted.
Ever think that Alfred Hitchcock's movie casting was based upon actor's actual true natures?
Anthony Perkins was a fool. Betray someone like that just for a career? At least Tab had dignity, he even visited Perkins later in life, just shows you what a true gentleman he really was.
Cut to about 8:30 for one of the most beautiful men who ever lived.
Edible 😜
"It's a gay and exciting life"
The Ford commercials were staged on the NBC TV Burbank video-tape studio #2, adjacent the studio #4 stage…! The commercials were previously video-taped, rolled into the live broadcast presentation…! The Tennessee Ernie Ford Variety show was also video-taped, broadcast to NYCity, then broadcast in the West Coast, again from the Burbank facility…!
18:37 Ernie sticks his salami in Tab's face
... 😭
I think the host knew about his secret 12:38
Didn't know cousin ernie had a show!!!
Looks and brains... it`s lonely at the top.
i was 5 in '61 and i wonder if Connie Francis was on this show. Tab was a very special guy handsome as he was...Great guy. i wonder what became of his brother's and 1 sister.
I'm confused - I thought the FIRST Charlie Brown animation was for the 1965 Christmas special...........how can there be such good Peanuts animation in something from 1961!?
It caught me by surprise too. Regrettably, they did not see fit to credit the animation work.
Do we know who wrote this show, especially the bed-sit skit?
@@majkusI wondered the same. Could be Schultz was pitching it at that point and found some exposure on the Ford show? 🤔🤷🏻♂️
Greaty question. Was surprised by that!
HOW DID THIS SHOW GET PASS THE NETWORK CENSORS? LOL.
TAB HUNTER IN A VERY TIGHT WET T-SHIRT. LOL
That whole bed-sit skit with hot dogs, salami, and rosebud radishes?
I was 15 when this aired.
Is this when Tab was with Anthony Perkins?
No. That was mid/late 50's. They'd gone their separate ways by the 60's.
Sweet.
I am frankly relieved that they had enough class, elegance and discretion to NOT flaunt the private matters of their personal life. Shows respect to all. I know that’s a new concept to most now. The fact is, we all had better, more interesting things to care about than ourselves.
Well, gay people had to do that to survive especially in Hollywood where your career depended on selling to the general public whether it be a movie or record.
Do you really think he enjoyed playing the straight heartthrob in that interview? Of course not. It wasn't about discretion. It was about survival.
If it's a private matter, why did 49 of 50 states consider Tab a criminal?
Like heterosexuals not “flaunting” their heterosexuality? What an uninformed comment!
If those ties were any skinnier, they'd be bolo ties.
Smoking hot, and humble.
Tennesee Ernie Williams was a great playwright.
😂
His father never acknowledged him
29 años ...
Amazing what use to pass as entertainment eh ... who was their demographic anyway ? Nursing home residents ?
24:45 this looks like a funeral
I didn’t go much on it either but saying that, the entertainment shows on tv today aren’t much chop either
he's 40 in this clip!
Ernie is 41, Tab was 30
I Never interested, Who's fucking whom !!! But I interested, what He Done ! /ín concert,on LP, CD, film, etc./ What's a shame ! Mea culpa, mea Maxima culpa !!!Ashes keep fallin'on my head...etc.M❤
15:00 such a weird segment
We really knew how to keep up appearances back then. Now it’s all tats, fatty, skin, and most dress like homeless crims. Depravity keeps getting worse as the years pass.
Yes, we did know how to keep up appearances back then. Black were second class citizens and were kept in line. Gays had to hide and lie, or be out of work. Women knew their place, housewives.
And dark roots!!..........when did that become ok.??
@@Erin-Thor knew a Karen would pop up...
@@Erin-Thor So I guess that excuses the way we carry ourselves appearance wise today. Spare me please.
@@anderander5662 - LOL! The initial comment “We really knew how to keep up appearances back then...[the] Depravity keeps getting worse...” implies that Hunter being gay was a form of Depravity, and keeping it hidden was a good thing. I was pointing out that it was because of the bigotry of that time, something that based on the comment was a good thing. My point was we have progressed, not digressed. If attempting to be positive and look at history from the perspective that things are different, but not necessarily bad makes me a Karen, you have entirely misunderstood the Karen/Chad phenomenon. 😎
Tab loved his liquor. Heavy drinker. The hard stuff . Whiskey scotch tequila etc . Good actor though. If he was light in the loafers and preferred the ol baloney pony then that was his choice and nobody should criticize the guy . So what if he chose the Oscar mayer weiner
A good effort, but he's not much of a singer.
He was good enough to have a recording career. “Young Love” for example.
Tab was great, especially when he was straight
I must have blinked and missed that millisecond 😂
Such a shame he had to play along with the "image"
So glad he could eventually be true to himself.
Tab was never straight, you just thought he was. The only thing that changed was your perception, and you thought less of him when you knew. Tab had to hide his secret most of his life because he needed to work, so he could live and eat.
@@Erin-Thor It is a good observation, but when you think about it, ALL public figures put up a front. In Tab's case it had to be over who he slept with. If you look at politicians, attorneys, clergy, etc, really ANY public figures, they are actors portraying parts for the public perception. We allow this in society. Well, we really demand this. In 1961 THOUGH, I can say closeted and gay may not have been the worse thing to deal with. Tab worked and then lost his luster due to a "new generation of Beatles". Tab had a good life, regardless. The same struggles all people have but he turned out just fine.
@@Erin-Thor With that online name of Alfred Neuman I just assumed he was pulling our legs.
@@tonykool5347 Who was it that said politics is Hollywood for ugly people? Fred Allen perhaps?