Rock Hudson: Friend of Mine

In recounting his 20-year professional and personal relationship with the film and TV actor, Hollywood publicist Clark, aided by Kleiner ( Don't Shoot My Dog ), sets out as well to dispute the charge brought in a successful lawsuit against the estate by Hudson's lover Marc Christian that the star concealed his AIDS affliction. Paying tribute to his friend, Clark, who managed his career, maintains that the star was devoid of ego, was a casual person and sentimental. Further, he states that Hudson would have made it big on the Broadway stage were it not for his untimely death. The book is an embarrassing memorial, cloying, biased and insignificant. Photos not seen by PW. (Mar.)