I used to see him on 2nd ave quite often during spring/summer months. If I remember correctly there was a movie theater down around 10th or 11th late 80’s early 90’s
I wish I had been older as I would have loved to have phoned him on his listed number and talked for hours. He was utterly brilliant and his voice was so melodic, full of passion and sublimely intoxicating even well into his geriatric years!
@sophie W it's a well known fact that his number WAS in the phone book and that he welcomed calls from strangers . He's mentioned it many times in his books and interviews
My kids played Sting's song and I tried to explain what a wonderful character the song is a tribute to. Of course, being young they were not remotely interested, but it made me want to seek him out myself and what a beautiful interview this is. Before this I looked at the British 'World in Action' documentary about him, which is very touching. I'm so glad his world opened up and he lived in New York too. I think I will listen to everything I can find and watch the film with John Hurt too. What an incredibly special person Quentin was.
@@noochinator I watched the naked civil servent and Englishman in New York. So wonderful that John Hurt got to play Quentin at different points in his life. Such great continuity and a fantastic performance.
@@adampowell5376 True, he wasn't. But he might as well be an activist because he took vicious beatings for being gay, during which he did not fight back for fear of being killed. If anyone ever paved the way, it is Crisp who did. No laws protected him. None.
I don't think that he had many friends. He liked to keep people at arm's length. Even when he was a popular old man he merely gave everyone their two minutes.
So the apparently superficial Quentin Crisp was in fact an important spiritual Confessor with a profound understanding of reality, style, character and society. How fitting of David Dubal to choose BWV 731 Beloved Jesus, we are here.
@@Themanwhocameback2 I didn't know he was not a fan of oscar.but he didn't need to steal any lines from oscar in fact cause he was his own man like oscar..I deeply respect quentin..he was simply great
What Quentin actually said when he first went to New York and he was asked by a state official 'Are you a practicing homosexual?' his reply was 'Homosexual yes, practicing no.'
I agree with him that is is not about how gay was treated in London and New York but it was the difference between the gays in the old times and the young gays of today. I also like his view on sexuality and personality. He was into developing his personality more than the sexual aspect of it and that’s where he was misunderstood. I like and respect the man.
can't find a review of the much talked of play, Lord Alfred's Lover, but do see a notice in the New York Times saying that the performance of Lord Alfred's Lover with Quentin Crisp had been postponed (this was Spring of '83, so the production they speak of here). I assume it eventually opened, but was not reviewed? anyone know anything about it? Eric Brantley who wrote the play lived to be 102! dying in 2020
What if Oscar Wild knew well and all along about the jail and the trouble, which he was getting into; but he continued playing his part at his best as a real performer. If you do not do the he did, which other then could have that way ever been!?
Wilde did not have to sacrifice himself. He could have lived in France. Friends of Wilde implored him to move to France rather than face trial in England.
@@adampowell5376 frank harris had a boat ready to take him to France but for some unknown reason he decided like socrates to face the music and lose to these devils of the time .thanx
Thanx..me myself I have the deepest respect for oscar for being a sacrificial lamb toward a society more tolerant..Frank harris at first found oscar quite strange but was blown away by his speech. I condemn the society of his time for destroying such a fascinating thinker which civilization needs more of..ta
@@noochinator... Quentin's last book, written by his closest friend & caregiver said... Quentin had 2 Million Dollars in Savings at the time of his death. Perhaps, Quentin wanted to maintain the image of having "nothing" and being a so-called "failure."
@@PhilAlumb He wanted to live the bohemian life. His London flat, in which he lived for decades, was gorgeous-- but in the U.S. he lived in a NYC rooming house, which was far below the quality of his London place. I dunno, many of his friends, Sting et al., must have tried to get him to move to a nicer apartment in NYC.....
@@noochinator ...Interesting..I saw a 1970 interview in his home in England and it was a dusty, messy place. I didn't see any beauty. But, whatever made Quentin happy is good by me.
Thanks for uploading this. Crisp is such a gift to humanity.
Yes! Those who say he was only famous for being famous overlook his superb writing and speaking skills.
Quentin was dignified, dogged, and really brave. He had integrity.
I must agree
Dear Quentin. A gentle soul. He suffered a lot for not conforming & was instead true to himself xx
Lived in my hood for many years (East Village). Used to see him all the time but I never spoke to him. I wish I had. Fascinating man.
I used to see him on 2nd ave quite often during spring/summer months. If I remember correctly there was a movie theater down around 10th or 11th late 80’s early 90’s
I wish I had been older as I would have loved to have phoned him on his listed number and talked for hours. He was utterly brilliant and his voice was so melodic, full of passion and sublimely intoxicating even well into his geriatric years!
Same here!
@sophie W it's a well known fact that his number WAS in the phone book and that he welcomed calls from strangers . He's mentioned it many times in his books and interviews
you should have said "Hi" of course, as - as he said in this discourse - before he died he wanted to meet everyone on earth :)
My kids played Sting's song and I tried to explain what a wonderful character the song is a tribute to. Of course, being young they were not remotely interested, but it made me want to seek him out myself and what a beautiful interview this is. Before this I looked at the British 'World in Action' documentary about him, which is very touching. I'm so glad his world opened up and he lived in New York too. I think I will listen to everything I can find and watch the film with John Hurt too. What an incredibly special person Quentin was.
Thank you for your lovely words!
@@noochinator I watched the naked civil servent and Englishman in New York. So wonderful that John Hurt got to play Quentin at different points in his life. Such great continuity and a fantastic performance.
Such a charming, witty and all round fabulous human being. So glamorous and he was so beautiful when young. 🎩❤️
♥️
A true genius and gentleman Excellent interview
He lived his truth, took courage
Brave and wonderful soul 🙏🇮🇪
Lovley gentleman. Very underated
Please understand that he was never a gay rights activist. He was dismissive of it. He was a writer and actor who just happened to be gay.
Thank God this is changing dramatically as time changes as his brilliance should be known REGARDLESS OF HIS SEXUALITY!
@@adampowell5376 True, he wasn't. But he might as well be an activist because he took vicious beatings for being gay, during which he did not fight back for fear of being killed. If anyone ever paved the way, it is Crisp who did. No laws protected him. None.
Lovely interview!
A charming man I would have liked to been a friend to.
be his friend now. so many of my favourite people are dead, i decided to just talk to them in my head. i feel a lot better for it.
I don't think that he had many friends. He liked to keep people at arm's length. Even when he was a popular old man he merely gave everyone their two minutes.
@Philip Alumbo So what is the truth?
@@adampowell5376 the truth to what?
10:13 *"there is really no such thing as classical music, there's only the noise you like and the noise you don't"*
sidDkid87 What? "no such thing as classical music"is this a bad quote?or total rubbish.
@@sarahjones-jf4pr could be a combination, sarah jones ...
@@sarahjones-jf4pr according to William S. Burroughs *"language is a virus from outer space"* - so, maybe it's *all* rubbish
@@sidDkid87 Yes certainly sounds like it.
@@sarahjones-jf4pr my mind is made up
Enjoyed this. Fascinating man.
I get misty-eyed every time I hear it, esp. when they cue up Harriet Cohen's recording of "Beloved Jesu,, We Are Here"
Genius.
Fantastic.
Nice interview and nice music! Thanks
So the apparently superficial Quentin Crisp was in fact an important spiritual Confessor with a profound understanding of reality, style, character and society. How fitting of David Dubal to choose BWV 731 Beloved Jesus, we are here.
Yes! Superb comment! My eyes well up at that point every time I listen to the interview!
Amazing. Pavlova
When he appeared at the customs in USA he too could have said,I have nothing to declare but my genius.😁
Nope. He was not a fan of Oscar Wilde, and would never have stolen a famous line of Wilde's.
@@Themanwhocameback2 I didn't know he was not a fan of oscar.but he didn't need to steal any lines from oscar in fact cause he was his own man like oscar..I deeply respect quentin..he was simply great
What Quentin actually said when he first went to New York and he was asked by a state official 'Are you a practicing homosexual?' his reply was 'Homosexual yes, practicing no.'
I agree with him that is is not about how gay was treated in London and New York but it was the difference between the gays in the old times and the young gays of today. I also like his view on sexuality and personality. He was into developing his personality more than the sexual aspect of it and that’s where he was misunderstood. I like and respect the man.
I thought the presenter wasn't very good but it's always wonderful to hear Quentin speak
you were incorrect in your assessment of the presenter
David Dubal is a very pleasant person
You can still hear him periodically on WQXR classical music, which has a live stream you can hear online.
I want Quentin to narrate my life
A lovely person to study
can't find a review of the much talked of play, Lord Alfred's Lover, but do see a notice in the New York Times saying that the performance of Lord Alfred's Lover with Quentin Crisp had been postponed (this was Spring of '83, so the production they speak of here). I assume it eventually opened, but was not reviewed? anyone know anything about it? Eric Brantley who wrote the play lived to be 102! dying in 2020
wot a doll
I dont think Mr Crisp was ever on Desert Island Discs? If not, this makes a very good substitute.
He looks like Timothee Chalamet in that first young picture.
He certainly did.🎩
Quentin looks like Violet Chachki in that photo.
I love "struck a chord in New York City, and perhaps America" - like NYC is another country inside the USA
well it is
It was brave playing the Argentinian National Anthem in 1982.
@Adam Powell Why was it bold playing the Argentine Anthem in 1982 on NYC radio? Just curious as obviously I am bit old enough to know.
@@frankieshane There was the Falklands War in 1982.
More pointless than brave.
Hes beautiful but I just noticed he and Chloe Sevigny could have been twins if they were of the same era
Yes, and I'd hate to have to choose between them!
lol yes Susie!
@@noochinator IKR!!!
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) died at age 46, not 42.
Oh, and he didn't like music either, something like 'the maximum noise with the minimum information'.
Quentin is refreshing. Caitlyn had.me unable to appreciate such.
What if Oscar Wild knew well and all along about the jail and the trouble, which he was getting into; but he continued playing his part at his best as a real performer. If you do not do the he did, which other then could have that way ever been!?
He did not admire Oscar Wilde at all, thought him a bit of a creep according to his writings. Strange his involvement in the Bentley play.
Wilde did not have to sacrifice himself. He could have lived in France. Friends of Wilde implored him to move to France rather than face trial in England.
@@adampowell5376 frank harris had a boat ready to take him to France but for some unknown reason he decided like socrates to face the music and lose to these devils of the time .thanx
Thanx..me myself I have the deepest respect for oscar for being a sacrificial lamb toward a society more tolerant..Frank harris at first found oscar quite strange but was blown away by his speech.
I condemn the society of his time for destroying such a fascinating thinker which civilization needs more of..ta
did not have any money? wud take that with pinch of snuff
I read that Crisp died with around $500,000 in the bank. He always said, "Money is for saving, not spending."
noochinator MY HUSBAND AWAYS SAID MONEY IS NOT TO BE SAVED ITS TO BE SPENT.
THATS PROBABLY WHY WE NEVER HAD ANY 💲💲💲💲💲
@@noochinator... Quentin's last book, written by his closest friend & caregiver said... Quentin had 2 Million Dollars in Savings at the time of his death. Perhaps, Quentin wanted to maintain the image of having "nothing" and being a so-called "failure."
@@PhilAlumb He wanted to live the bohemian life. His London flat, in which he lived for decades, was gorgeous-- but in the U.S. he lived in a NYC rooming house, which was far below the quality of his London place. I dunno, many of his friends, Sting et al., must have tried to get him to move to a nicer apartment in NYC.....
@@noochinator ...Interesting..I saw a 1970 interview in his home in England and it was a dusty, messy place. I didn't see any beauty. But, whatever made Quentin happy is good by me.