Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon (2008) Directed by Jeffery Schwarz

Warning: While this is a documentary, it is a documentary about Jack Wrangler, the undisputed leader of the gay revolution; Porn Division.  There is graphic nudity in the film, and frank discussions in the review.  If you are already reaching for the smelling salts, perhaps it would be best to move along.

Robert Stillman's little boy was something that the world had never seen before.  Jack was not the son his father wanted.  It was the 50's and what he wanted was a jock.  What he got was a talent already addicted to the spotlight from birth.

Jack Stillman could not sing, he could only ballroom dance, and his acting was...well...he didn't get many call backs.  But he was determined to be in the entertainment industry.  He was a director for dinner theatre, a business that taught him a lot about how to put on a production, and how to deal with the fragile egos that were on the way down and desperate to recapture past glory.  These talents would serve him well throughout his life.

In 1969, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn threw a little riot rather than put up with bigotry and police harassment anymore, the country embraced the summer of love, and Jack was blooming.  He was gay; he knew it, and he did something about it.  He saw the men in the physique magazines like Vim, and he knew that was what he wanted to be; a male sexually desirable to other males. He went to the gym, and life began to shape itself for the young man.

Good looking, blond, buff, and very well endowed, he was offered a spread in a magazine.  One thing led to another, as they so often do, and that magazine shoot moved up to filming porno loops.  Between this, and stripping, Jack was making a living, and receiving the validation he had always craved.  In 1976, the country was ready for something new; a big gay movie, and Jack was the one they selected to star in it; Kansas City Trucking Company.  Gay Porn was moving out of the back of the magazines, and into the theatres, and the Porn Czars were looking for talents that could draw repeat customers.  Jack, now rechristened Jack Wrangler, was it.  Jack Wrangler was blond, good looking, extremely well endowed, and could perform on command.  Combine this with the knowledge gained from growing up in his Hollywood family (Daddy was a director) and the stint in Dinner theatre, and you had the makings of a star.  Add to that his laid back charm, his lack of pretension, and his genuine warmth, (he personally answered all his fan mail, particularly helping those who were having problems with their sexuality) and you had the first Gay Icon.

Jack was THE Star of Gay Porn.  There was no up to go to.  So, he made the switch to straight porn, with 1979's China Sisters.  Now, understand.  Jack was not bi-sexual.  He was gay.  But he took on Straight Porn with the same talents that made him a star in the gay world, and was just as successful.

Now, here is where his life takes on a really bizarre twist.  In 1976, Jack met Margaret Whiting, a songstress 22 years his senior.  Like him, she lived for the spotlight, larger than life, and Jack was quite captivated with her.  They started dating.  "I'm not bisexual and I'm not straight", Wrangler later said. "I'm gay, but I could never live a gay lifestyle, because I'm much too competitive. When I was with a guy I would always want to be better than him: what we were accomplishing, what we were wearing-anything. With a woman you compete like crazy, but coming from different points of view, and as far as I'm concerned, that was doable."
 
Whiting's friends and daughter were deeply concerned that Jack was only after her money, but the couple were devoted to each other, and understanding of each of their limitations, and Jack not only stayed with her, he eventually grew to be monogamous.  They married in 1994, and remained together, working in the world of musical theatre until Jack's death in 2009 due to emphysema. 

Jack Wrangler was an inspiration to a generation.  He was masculine, desirable, butch even.  And he was gay.  And it wasn't a big deal.  He taught us it was okay to be gay, that you can be gay, and masculine, and you can define your life however you chose.  Jack chose to get out while he was on top.  He was straight for pay, and conquered that arena too.  Then he took on the world of marriage, and musical theatre, and proved he was up to those challenges as well.

Jack Wrangler, a Huge star, who rises further than the rest.

Gay Movies:

La Mission***Burnt Money***8: The Mormon Propo$ition***In The Flesh***The Sensei***The 24th Day***Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon***ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction***East Side Story***Dorian Blues***Creatures From the Pink Lagoon***Satyricon***Ice Men***Richard O'Briens Rocky Horror Tribute Show***Prom Queen***The Kids are All Right***Between Love and Goodbye***The Mudge Boy***That Man: Peter Berlin***A Single Man***Almost Normal***Outing Riley***Outrage!***Law of Desire***Love is the Devil***Cowboy Junction***Horror in the Wind***Bedrooms and Hallways***Cut Sleeve Boys***Big Eden***For A Lost Soldier***Midnight Cowboy***Redwoods***The Massuer***Boy Culture***Breakfast With Scot***The Fluffer***Flesh***Little Ashes***L.I.E. ***Dorian Gray***9 Dead Gay Guys***Shank***I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry***Beautiful Boxer***Bangkok Love Story***Schoolboy Crush***Shelter***Back Soon***Dog Tags***Theft***The Mulligans***The Velvet Goldmine***Swashbuckler***Smoke Signals
***C'Thulhu***Milk***The Picture of Dorian Gray***Brideshead Revisited***Notes on a Scandal***RocknRolla***Mamma Mia!
***Priscillia: Queen of the Desert***The History Boys***Brokeback Mountain***The Broken Hearts Club*** Yaji and Kita: Midnight Pilgrims ***Surge of Power ***In & Out ***Mambo Italiano ***Touch of Pink ***To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar ***Wolves of Kromer ***Rocky Horror Picture Show ***Taboo ***Deathtrap 


Gay Themed Series:

Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Dante's Cove
Hex
Carnivale Season One
Carnivale Season Two
Rome Season One
Rome Season Two
True Blood
True Blood: Season Two
The Book of Daniel: The Complete Series
Torchwood: Children of Earth
Torchwood: Season One


Gay Animation:

Pirate's Booty***Sensitive Pornograph***Loveless: The Complete Series***Loveless: Hope on the Run***Loveless: Soul of Chains***Loveless: Lost and Found***Embracing Love: A Cicada in Winter***Embracing Love: Cherished Spring ***Stonewall & Riot***Drawn Together Movie: The Movie***Drawn Together: Season 2***Drawn Together: Season 3

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age