Rock Hudson Photo: Lee Garlington/HBOThe seismic tremors generated in 1985 by the news that Rock Hudson was dying of AIDS may be hard to comprehend now, partly because Rock Hudson himself is such an artifact. The late-era product of a studio system that would mold a star and manicure his image, Hudson was a creation, one who emanated a certain sense of plenty—in looks, talent, charm and modulated machismo—that fit America’s sense of itself. That he was gay was simply too much for some people, though as made very clear in “Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed,” that fact was among the worst-kept secrets in Hollywood.

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Persons: Lee Garlington, Hudson, Rock Hudson Organizations: Hudson Locations: Hollywood