Film Review: Revealing ‘Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood’

CHICAGO – Any “secret history” inevitably reveals some totally human trait that somehow counters a delicately constructed facade. Show business is no stranger to those histories, and the new documentary “Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood” is a doozy. Ex-Pimp to the Stars Scotty Bowers reveals all.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Another fascinating time element, that permeates the background of the somewhat sleazy reveals, is the secret history of post World War II America. Those who survived that meat grinder, both overseas and in the USA, often came out on the other side with a devil-may-care attitude… survivors will do that. But also, the “hicks from the sticks” got a taste of life beyond their borders, sometimes ending up with the fuzzy end of the lollipop, but still managing to scratch out an existence even while licking it. That is all encompassed in Scotty Bowers, an enigmatic sex procurer who dabbled in everything, including with some of the bold faced names of the Golden Age of Hollywood. We’re always deluding ourselves in thinking the past was better all around, yet everybody still had sex drives, and Scotty Bowers was more than accommodating.

This film is based on the book “Full Service,” and follows Scotty Bowers as he has somehow survived into his nineties. In the present day, he travels from property to property (mostly inherited) as he reminisces about his past – both about his life and the lives he had encountered – and both past and present equals a one-of-a-kind character. The present day Scotty is a hoarder, for example, and that seems as telling as the sexual exploits he describes.

He came to Los Angeles and Hollywood via the small town, then Chicago, then participation in World War II, to a hope after the war to live larger than his destiny. His first job in L.A. was as a car repair man, and with the addition of a trailer in back of the service station, his other job became setting up sex encounters (both or all orientations). Soon he was “servicing” some big stars who would come to the pumps, which included some of the biggest names in Hollywood at the time.

“Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood” continued its nationwide limited release in Chicago… at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 North Southport Avenue… on August 10th. See local listings for other theaters and show times. Directed by Matt Tyrnauer. Rated “R”