Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood is Matt Tyrnauer's documentary about Scotty Bowers, a World War II vet who is now considered an icon of sorts in the gay world, for his proclivities (primarily) in the 40s and 50s as a glorified procurer of Hollywood gay celebrities as well as ordinary gays who were chiefly closeted due to the stultifying mores against gay people at the time.
In 1947, Scotty began working at a gas station in Hollywood where he purportedly fixed up various gay stars including such luminaries as Cary Grant, Randolph Scott and Charles Laughton. The gas station featured a trailer in the back where trysts were consummated as well as a motel across the street, in which Scotty had a deal with the owners, where he could send clients who requested a more luxurious setting for their encounters.
After working for a few years at the gas station, Scotty then became a bartender and worked at private parties, where he claims to have numerous dalliances himself with stars such as Spencer Tracy and actresses including Bette Davis, Vivien Leigh, Lana Turner and Ava Gardner (all at the same time) as well an affair with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Scotty maintains that Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn were only platonic friends and he procured over one hundred lesbian lovers for Hepburn.
The film combines archival footage during Scotty's heyday and a few years ago, at the time of Scotty's 90th birthday and during various book signings, when his book "Full Service," an even more detailed account of his career, was released. There are also glimpses of Scotty's private life including interviews with old friends, his current wife (his apparent bisexual life now behind him) and a visit to a secondary residence, cluttered with hundreds of mementos he's collected over the years.
The documentary only managed a 67 rating on Metacritic, as it was criticized for two basic reasons: 1) it was felt that there was no way to verify all of Scotty's stories and some reviewers felt he was either embellishing his narrative or not telling the truth at all; and 2) it was considered presumptuous of Scotty to "out" various celebrities, all unable to defend themselves, as they are all now deceased.
I had no reason to doubt most of Scotty's claims as they were corroborated through various interviews with people who knew him and lived during that era. As for "outing" those now who are unable to speak for themselves, the passage of time suggests perhaps there is a statute of limitations on revealing time worn escapades.
In view of the times Scotty was living in, he's considered by some to be a sexual revolutionary. I don't know if I would go that far, but he certainly assisted many gay people who were forced into the closet and needed assistance in socializing and forming relationships.
There's something refreshing about a man who expresses no guilt feelings over his past conduct. In contrast to many who have claimed to have been victims of sexual abuse, Scotty reveals how a family friend as well as various priests whom he knew as a teenager forced themselves on him. But Scotty takes it all in stride and refuses to blame others for the sexual contact-which he considers part of growing up (others of course disagree, terming it "molestation").
Scotty is also quite candid about a number of tragedies that befell him including the loss of fellow soldiers in World War II, the death of his daughter and first wife as well as various prior lovers. There is no way such events couldn't have taken a toll on Scotty and perhaps it's his hoarding (the desire to hold on to clutter) that's an indication that he's not able to completely "let go" emotionally, regarding the tragedies he's had to cope with over the years.
"Scotty" is essentially a collection of gossipy sexual vignettes, and one feels there could have been more information about the lives of the various celebrities Scotty talks about. Nonetheless, Scotty is a fascinating character and director Tyrnauer masterfully puts together the archival footage which proves to be an impressive aesthetic achievement.
In 1947, Scotty began working at a gas station in Hollywood where he purportedly fixed up various gay stars including such luminaries as Cary Grant, Randolph Scott and Charles Laughton. The gas station featured a trailer in the back where trysts were consummated as well as a motel across the street, in which Scotty had a deal with the owners, where he could send clients who requested a more luxurious setting for their encounters.
After working for a few years at the gas station, Scotty then became a bartender and worked at private parties, where he claims to have numerous dalliances himself with stars such as Spencer Tracy and actresses including Bette Davis, Vivien Leigh, Lana Turner and Ava Gardner (all at the same time) as well an affair with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Scotty maintains that Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn were only platonic friends and he procured over one hundred lesbian lovers for Hepburn.
The film combines archival footage during Scotty's heyday and a few years ago, at the time of Scotty's 90th birthday and during various book signings, when his book "Full Service," an even more detailed account of his career, was released. There are also glimpses of Scotty's private life including interviews with old friends, his current wife (his apparent bisexual life now behind him) and a visit to a secondary residence, cluttered with hundreds of mementos he's collected over the years.
The documentary only managed a 67 rating on Metacritic, as it was criticized for two basic reasons: 1) it was felt that there was no way to verify all of Scotty's stories and some reviewers felt he was either embellishing his narrative or not telling the truth at all; and 2) it was considered presumptuous of Scotty to "out" various celebrities, all unable to defend themselves, as they are all now deceased.
I had no reason to doubt most of Scotty's claims as they were corroborated through various interviews with people who knew him and lived during that era. As for "outing" those now who are unable to speak for themselves, the passage of time suggests perhaps there is a statute of limitations on revealing time worn escapades.
In view of the times Scotty was living in, he's considered by some to be a sexual revolutionary. I don't know if I would go that far, but he certainly assisted many gay people who were forced into the closet and needed assistance in socializing and forming relationships.
There's something refreshing about a man who expresses no guilt feelings over his past conduct. In contrast to many who have claimed to have been victims of sexual abuse, Scotty reveals how a family friend as well as various priests whom he knew as a teenager forced themselves on him. But Scotty takes it all in stride and refuses to blame others for the sexual contact-which he considers part of growing up (others of course disagree, terming it "molestation").
Scotty is also quite candid about a number of tragedies that befell him including the loss of fellow soldiers in World War II, the death of his daughter and first wife as well as various prior lovers. There is no way such events couldn't have taken a toll on Scotty and perhaps it's his hoarding (the desire to hold on to clutter) that's an indication that he's not able to completely "let go" emotionally, regarding the tragedies he's had to cope with over the years.
"Scotty" is essentially a collection of gossipy sexual vignettes, and one feels there could have been more information about the lives of the various celebrities Scotty talks about. Nonetheless, Scotty is a fascinating character and director Tyrnauer masterfully puts together the archival footage which proves to be an impressive aesthetic achievement.