An Evening With Quentin Crisp (Complete)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- An evening with Quentin Crisp, The wit and wisdom of the irreplaceable irascible Quentin Crisp.
I had to hunt this lecture down in the bowels of the internet and re upload it, because it was no longer available for streaming in its full form anywhere. Everyone deserves to learn and benefit from the wit and wisdom of queer pioneer Quentin Crisp. This lecture, and the other assorted works of Mr. Crisp are a valuable inheritance for LGBTQ persons and they are in imminent peril of being lost and forgotten forever, consigned to the dustbin of queer history, erased from the grand tapestry of the story of queer liberation and struggle. It is more important than ever to preserve our story and remember the courage, integrity and strength of our predecessors as the Trump presidency looms.
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He's famous for being himself, just himself and nothing more. It wasn't about being gay. It was about being Crispin. It's astounding. His personality made him a celebrity, and everywhere he went people were fascinated with him.
its crisp genius.
Its easy to see why. He is such an enchanting character with such intelligent wit. I am so greatfull U Tube, for this opportunity, as I hadn't heard of him prior. Thankyou
He was almost like a zen Buddhist, his wisdom could apply to anyone.
The guy was a brilliant individualist. I was born in 1973 and I recall him from TV when I was a child. If I'm honest, my stepdad would make fun of him and call him rude names when I was a small boy. But I could hear something in his words that interested me even then. I think I first saw him when I was about nine or ten.
What really made him famous was the book he wrote about his life that was turned into a movie, it was called the naked Civil servant. They also made a sequel called The English man in New York.
I grew up in a northern working class town in a time when homophobia was pretty much the norm. It was the insult you would throw around in the playground, the comedian's punchline, the bigotry that mums and dads didn't tell you off for, the 'justifiable' reason for someone to get their head kicked in. If you want to see the embodiment of bravery in the face of all of that, this man is it.
How beautifully said!
True and well said
Quentin's great. I was 13 when I saw the Naked Civil Servant and swanning around Sunderland an effeminate goth. I was beaten by skinheads and forever running away from gangs at bus stations! My eyeliner only got thicker. School was a nightmare of bullying. Now I'm 50 living in the high desert of Arizona and have traveled extensively in my beloved India. Most of the straights and classmates and teachers that gave me hell haven't had a fraction of the adventure I've had.
@@narasimha7187 Lucky you living in Arizona
@@narasimha7187 That's great man. I spent a few years in Sunderland too, in the late 80s, early 90s. Rough old place! I can imagine the reactions. And you've settled in one of my favourite holiday destinations!
We were lucky enough to have our own Oscar Wilde for our lifetime.
Absolutely
Oscar Wilde should've had Quentin Crisp.
God, what wonderful logic and wisdom! I could spend my entire quarantine time watching him! I'm sorry he went through so much BS from people. They missed out on getting to know such a gentle soul.
A person with such brilliant wisdom.
He was and is so underrated. His philosophy and philosophical talks are absolutely honest and true.
No one, certainly no LGBTIQA should have to go through ANYTHING due to bigoted BS, and that human right should be obvious whether you're gentle or wise or not.
What an inspiration. What a speaker. What a person. What clarity, what rhythm, what glory. What baffling eloquence, wisdom an humour. I am staggered. What a loss. What a gain. I am humbled.
Homophobes may have attacked him but he was a gutsy and brave man being out at a time when it was illegal in the UK. You can't read "The Naked Civil Servant" without being deeply moved by his grit. A wonderful man and a great character.
I agree. I am a heterosexual by "nature," and I never believed that homosexuality was a choice. I also read the Naked Civil Servant, and had nothing but admiration for his being out at a time when many homosexuals were being killed, simply for coming out as being who they were born to be. Quentin will always be a hero to me, as I love what he referred to as his "style."
A brave man and a gentleman, with wit.
@@greengardengreen6666 I agree!
homophobes attacked him? Homosexuals also attacked him!! Homosexuals who don't like being told what to do, but no qualms about telling other homosexuals what to do?!?!?!?!
@@maggiesace389 True !
I met him briefly in Boston when I arranged his travel to and from the city where he was lecturing. He was the sweetest and kindest person. It was an honor to meet him, even if it was such a short time.
How did you come to do that for him? Please share a little of your story
This talk isn't only for the gay community, it speaks to each one of us to become the people we choose to be. Brilliant explanation of freedom, challenging to the core.
He has a unique and cohesive philosophy which is a very rare thing indeed. Beautiful
I hate doing qualifiers, but I'm a straight guy compelled to search him out after hearing him on Letterman. As I'm all about fair play, this guy is practically a super hero to me for enduring what he did with apparently such grace. Though he couldn't have possibly felt all that gracious during the times his ass was getting kicked.
Possibly that's what it takes to be a great philosopher.
I'm only 12 minutes into this damned thing and all the comments about him being a philosopher are coming into easy sharp focus for me. This is gonna be one of those very rare cases where I'm gonna have to come back to this and absorb the insanely numerous nuggets of wisdom, too many to soak in immediately. I'm not even gonna talk about the humor here.
Wish I could've been a next door neighbor to this guy. What rich experience that would be!
Struggle is what makes a human being great. That's why "silver-spoons" are ass-hats.
Mr. Crisp was real, authentic, and gave no fvcks. Compare him to politicians or inherited-wealthy who are lying whores. Those lying whores try to push "others" down, because they, themselves, are devoid of human feelings.
This man is not just a role model for gays, but for everyone who has been bullied or hated by the majority of the people. Thanks for sharing his courage with us.🐞🐞🐞🐞🍀🍀🍀🍀🐩🐩🐩🐩
Wonderful💗
@Geoff Wode It all depends on the level and amount of bullying one has received.
@Geoff Wode Oh, I'll let you decide.
@Geoff Wode Yep, we have to make the best of things.
What a wonderful soul
Sounds like he found a bit of happiness late in life. Good for him.
15 minutes he talks about machines collecting our data forever 🤣🤣👍👍 spot on Quentin. This man was incredibly smart.
"The only thing you have to wear is yourself", said Mr. Crisp. A powerful teaching for people from any walk of life.
I was lucky to see him live, at the Bath Theatre Royal performing this show. Met him briefly afterwards. A beautiful, inspirational man. We could do with more like him today.
Unlike you, living in mansions 'riddled with standards of living'
A lovely man. My aunt painted him at art school and she was always amazed at the bizarre poses he managed to maintain. I think of him as part of my growing up
Seriously needed to be listening to this while working into the early hours on a mind numbing document while in LA. What drew me to this I wonder indeed but I think I may listen to this every day for the next couple of weeks - wonderful therapy from such a wise soul💗 Much Love to your Spirit Quentin! Natty la Cuan xx
What a Wit and philosopher ! he is indeed on a par with Wilde. Saw him in the 80's and its so wonderful to see and hear this again ! x
Thank you. I was in London when he died and my friend Marc had bought tickets for us to go and see his show. A few days later I and my friend learnt he had died. We both understood his passing was a sad loss. He was such an interesting character and his stage presence was meant to be very special.
Lucky me, saw him in NYC , on stage.
Must have been memorable. What a wit he was.
"I'm trying to speak to anybody who feels that the band always seems to be playing in another street, who seems to be locked in his room. When I say the door is not locked, go to where the band is playing, I don't want anyone to say, 'I haven't a thing to wear.' As I see it, all you have to wear is yourselves."
You start to watch and you just can’t stop. Such a wonderful man. They don’t make them like this anymore. Thanks for sharing
I've watched it 3 times in a row now ..
Alok has a similar brilliant visionary intelligence today, in our time.
My great uncle.
Seriously? He was quite the character.
I hope this is actually true!
Amazing guy and had more balls than most straight guys.Thanks for uploading this.
I don't think gay men are known for having no balls. They're gay, not transgender.
Sexuality is not a factor in bravery as courage comes in all sorts of shapes, sizes and types.
he didn't have more balls. But he did have class and character!!! Stop making what Quentin was about what heterosexuals aren't. Quentin was Quentin.
The year of this lecture was 1980, at the Westwood Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Thank you, that’s why I came to the comments to find out.
The Golden, radiant, glorious, magnificent, glittering and adorable sunset of his life.
He lived for another 20 years after this, I do believe. Til 1999.
@@JasonBlackthorn Nevertheless...
Love it
One thing he said I always remember is ...he said he never dusted ever...that after the first 4 yrs it never gets worse. I am currently testing the theory.
I'm rich because I've taken my wages in people and Thankyou. Amazing😊
Totally loved it ! I don't no why he always gets the worst backlash ? I read a review where they said he was just a big cry baby who whines on & on about his pathetic life . I think he speaks the truth & they can't handle that ( Just Saying ).
Probably from a testosterone-ridden macho, closeted rag.
Read about his views on AIDS
@@jasonandlynnechambers3420 that was a huge mistake he did but got right later. Plus he donated monthly checks (thousands of dollars per month) to AMFAR.
@@georgegeorgiev3946 Yes he did but at the time his words were offensive and stupid.
@@jasonandlynnechambers3420 sooooo you never made a mistake? You're perfect? :)
God, why has nobody from my generation ever heard of this treasure.
because there was no internet or instagram or youtube its a time when people had personality and intelligence but you can make it your job to delve into the world of people who existed and didnt need a phone !
Because your generation is the generation that thinks bringing the word 'Queer' back is acceptable, demonstrating a huge lack of understanding. But luckily I'll be dead before long and the world will no doubt descend further into the chaos in the hands of the snowflake millennials.
@@meansy7753 What is wrong with reclaiming a word for ourselves? The issue with the word Queer was the hate that came from behind the word. We took out the hatred and made it an inclusive positive word.
@J Randall I find it humorous that you liked you're own comment. It is a perfect encapsulation of your vanity.
@@cupcake4177 ok ladies, stop fighting
Thank you for uploading this marvelous film. I had seen it many years ago on British television and since then I remain fascinated by this brave and wittiest man.
Thank you so much for uploading this.
Quentin, one of the wisest men who ever lived.
I was about to write the exact same thing. :-) My deepest thanks for sharing this.
Once again, I return to this video: an evening with my hero in its entirety. Cheers all.
letterman has no idea what crisp is saying or how he is actually using him as his stuge hes just not bright enough to get it
@@bikerianm Thanks for accusing someone of stupidity by calling him a "stuge." Quintin would love the irony.
Still thought provoking today,as it was then. Unique,inimitable ,and ultimately ,a positive force for this sorry world.
I'm sure he would have been honored to know that he was finally deemed "Family Home Entertainment."
Don't try to join society. Wait for society to form around you. - Quentin Crisp
This would be so amazing to see on stage today in 2021. The script is not dated at all. What a wonderfully witty human being. Respect.
That's an excellent point, this man really was timeless.
England’s home grown Socrates
He is amazing. I adore him.
Wonderful, remarkable and unique. Oscar Wilde would approve of everything Quentin said. I was lucky enough to meet this remarkable man here in Dublin, Ireland. Bless you Quentin wherever you are x
Unlike Oscar ,Quentin was a survivor...
After hearing Quentins washing up rituals or lack of them, I think I feel an OCD cleaning attack coming on, other than that very wise words my friend RIP Quentin Thankyou for you're courage.
"The end of the world party where every body will be speaking and no one will be listening" sounds like 2021
I was a very young girl when I saw "The Naked Civil Servant". I've loved him ever since! Thank you for this!
Such a lovely lovely gentle man. 'The Naked Civil Servant' was a fantastic film and John Hurt played Quentin Crisp perfectly. Thank you for allowing us a chance to see this wonderful man again.
A rare person indeed.They dont make them like Mr Crisp anymore.His wisdom is a true gift to mankind.
Such a shame how he died on the eve of his one man show.Thats life ! rarely kind and injust.
Crisp died of a heart attack on 21 November 1999, nearly one month before his 91st birthday, while staying at the home of a friend in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, on the eve of a nationwide revival of his one-man show.
Such an intelligent man
His thoughts are as relevant today as they were when he delivered them. Intelligent, witty, confident and concise on how he views the world. A lovely man who knew what made him happy, his interaction with people.
The young could do well to sit for a few hours and listen to Quentin.
If they do they'll have a much better chance of being who they want to be and with that, much happier.
When I lived in the East Village in NY in the 90s, I always saw him at his favorite diner and always with pretty young men. He was such a fixture. Seeing him made you feel calm about the world. He was like a never changing picture of old world defiance. He looked ridiculous but that's why we loved him. We should all have the courage to truly be ourselves and look as ridiculous as we would like.
What diner? I lived on the east side. Loved the Kiev.
Beautiful way of putting it
I actually thought he was a great dresser, like he is here. But make no mistake, his look wouldn't work for everyone.
My brother and I discovered and admired Mr. Crisp when we were in the Bronx as children. We had seen an interview he had done and were completely enamored with him. We admired even at a young age his personal freedom he expressed . Thankfully we were raised by wonderful parents who had raised free thinkers and recognizing a wonderful human being when you see one.
Oh, darlings! I've got goosebumps reading 'Bronx, children'...and felt delirious! There is a God...and you, both, are blessed. Thank you for sharing. 😇🤗💃
DEEP-Truths,administered as a benign Medicine,made Most De-Licious with the Sweetest Fruit of Witty Humour. What a glittering Beacon his Life represents to us ALL,masquerading as tiny,True Signs writ Large from God about How we Could be Better Our-SELVES,and make a Better WORLD-If Only we could Pay Attention and NOTICE!! x M
I've never seen a like/dislike ratio like this. This is one of the bravest men ever in history.
i first saw him about 1973 on TV. My take on him was that his job as a model, having to hold completely still, functioned like Buddhist meditation and gave him a kind of beingness that most people don''t have. that's why he's so self-aware and wise.
"You must be more significantly than you do"
A MASTER CLASS IN HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE WITH STYLE..BE YOURSELF AND TO HELL WITH WHAT OTHERS THINK OF YOU.
Thanks for uploading this gem. I'll not forget calling Quentin up one night (around 1996) and asked him how to deal w/ a couple who were late for a dinner party that a friend & I were throwing. He gave excellent advice & stayed on the phone (though obviously tired) to talk to the woman who was hosting the dinner party for a considerable time. I miss his presence on this 2018 world.
How did you get his number?
Matthew Morgan he made his phone number public while living in New York and used to answer whoever was calling him apparently.
That is astonishing Ezra. I think this man is an absolute hero, and I would have loved to have talked to him. You were very lucky 🍀
He did indeed
@@AllyPerrott He was one in a million!
Thought id give it a minute or two. Next thing i knew it was over. I was utterly absorbed. Smiled and laughed all the way through.
( Actually that one line is how life should be. )
Thank you thank you thank you, what an absolute treat it was to find this performance - Mr. Crisp was a man of wonderful wit and wisdom.
He was, in my eyes a beautiful soul with a unique perspective,I love his work immensely.
So thank you again for uploading this work.
Nothing this gentleman says is trivial, if there is anyone who makes me feel ok about being me it's this profound soul
Mr Crisp's words are as valid for straights just as they are for gays.
Of course, he spoke to and for humanity, that's why he was so great. His wisdom was all inclusive - had he merely been a minority spokesman he would not have captured the public imagination. This man was a prophet for man - and woman - kind!
Thanks for sharing this bro
An extremely brave man throughout his entire life; I admire him greatly. I am 73 and a gay man born in London, England and I lived through some major changes too.
Quentin Crisp can be extremely amusing - I wonder what Kenneth Williams the actor thought of Mr Crisp? Quentin Crisp's books are absolutely worth reading - I recommend them. His account of WW2 with its challenge to sexual behaviour in the London Blitz blackouts had me in stiches - he said he always enjoyed the small queen-gay get-togethers in cafe's - until the windows got smashed in - either by the Nazi's bombings or the violent tactics of the homophobes. I wish I had met the man. I once saw Kenneth Williams in Bloomsbury walking along and he looked rather miserable - I smiled and nodded and he just sniffed and pointed his nose in the air and camped it up; I don't think anybody else had recognised him. Quentin Crisp and Kenneth Williams - politically unacceptable? I don't think so.
Just watched this video. Thanks for uploading this testament to his brilliance. Bloody HERO!! ❤❤❤❤❤
I saw him do this show in Liverpool. Very lucky!
He was asked what he thought about the 'Naked Civil Servant,' he said that John Hurt was his 'representative on Earth.'
When asked by an audience member if it was possible to have a Lifestyle while working in a shop, he told us that the secret there was to 'talk people into buying things they would rather die than have.'
Thank You SO much for this..he#s a hero of mine!
I'm afraid Mr. Crisp would disagree with you entirely over any notions of 'queer liberation'. He did not live his life outwardly for the purpose of making a statement but purely to be who he was. That's honesty of a sort rarely seen in anyone no matter what their characteristics but he said time and time again that he only did as he must. He could do nothing else. There's also nothing at all political to be gleaned from his life. He was an ostentatiously apolitical animal and would be far more appalled by the attempts to hijack his legacy and others for the purpose of any left-wing agenda as if he were made a standard-bearer of the right. It cheapens his integrity to try to turn Quentin Crisp's intelligence and wit towards narrow political interests.
Good stuff and a bunch of things many people tend to not consider viewing from a different angle outside of their own mind.
Sam, thank you so much for posting this. "I know a lot of people who say that their object is to take their place in society. Don't ever do that! Stay right where you are and wait for society to form itself around you." Today people might think these words of Quentin Crisp unremarkable. Back in 1980 when this show was recorded TV interviewers were left open mouthed at his bold pronouncements. I think in hindsight it is easier to recognize the prophetic truth and courage he brought to us. His answers in the Q&A which followed the monologue section of this show are powerful and profound. His words are all the more powerful today - because the story of Quentin Crisp's courageous life and the movement of society since provide a perfect illustration of the quote above. (He is one of the icons of leadership I include on my own website.) Thanks again, Sam, for sharing this. Quentin Crisp is really inspirational to anyone wishing to live an authentic life.
He was amazing as Elizabeth I in the movie Orlando.
That was my first exposure to Quentin
@@Patrick3183 so what is the deal with this guy? A philosopher, an actor, a comedian?? I don’t get it??
@@waltersobchak7275 Your almost there..
@@waltersobchak7275 what's there to get? 😐....
@@Shaunny.Longlegs I don’t know smart ass that’s why I asked
What a hoot . Captured my mind for sure!
Sting's muse for "Englishman in New York".
No, Shite Sherlock?
@@arricammarques1955 You are Dr Watson? 😂😂😂😂😷🏃🏃
Awesome, glad to see this back online!
He was right with that one. Wherever you look today are the screaming protesting hordes.
You live in the US too huh??
@@waltersobchak7275 No I am in England, Walter. I lived in London in the mid 1960's and worked as a photographer. The scene he lived in London at that time was something that you had to be there to know. There were a lot of similar folk such as Quentin but I have to say if you had met him you would realise he was much imitated but never duplicated. Glad he went to America as it did bring him much happiness. London in the1960's is light years away from London 2021. Hope you all manage to get over this Covid crisis over the 'pond' .
@@vulgivagu what a nice reply. Thank you so much for explaining. I hope all is well in your neck of the woods also.
magNIFicent 👑
What a wonderful broadcast! Thank you.
Thank you for posting this video, I've watched all the movies and some other interviews but find this one to be one of the best,,,,,, thanks again.
He delivers a punch line with every statement, before going to the next one.
Quentin was a survivor. He took the crap that the world threw at him and he rose above it! Plus he did it his way, with style!
Thanks for posting this!
Mark Hutchinson
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. His insight combined with his life experience is more valuable today than ever.
His talent is absolutely incredible...and I only became aware of him thanks to Sting's "Englishman in New York". Thank you very much.
What a gem; containing what some people would consider challenging views, exquisitely expressed and a wonderful stimulus for a round of subsequent discussions.
I can’t get enough of him!!! I’ll be very sad when I have seen everything TH-cam has to offer. I may go back around the circuit again.
Can someone tell me why I may feel this way?
Perhaps it is that there are so few genuine characters these days, we all fit into our allotted groups, the young desperate to stand out and shock have tattoos, but they are just conforming.
@@bobclark6703 yes- I believe you are correct
Hilarious. Moving and tragic as well.
It seems to me his life was a performance.
Interesting points about 'the machine' and the influence of computers. I think his view on the self has been perpetuated by Social media.
Going to read his book, the Naked Civil Servant.
Inspiring chap and an individual thinker.
He was a living sign!
What a gem this man was to the world !
One of the most fluent people I've ever heard or seen: he wrote beautiful prose, he spoke in beautiful prose, and when he had said what he meant to say, he stopped. That is style: and that's why I miss Mr Crisp.
He is amazingly witty and funny and profound at the same time. Thank you kindly for posting this video.
Incredibly moving and entertaining at the same time. Absolutely another Oscar Wilde.
Wonderful.
I am envious of that girl who can tell her mother "I have met Quentin Crisp".
Thank you so much for finding and uploading this! I so agree that he was amazingly brave to be himself in an environment of danger, scorn, and contempt. Yet he was so far above those who judged him harshly and those who attacked him verbally or physically. I think he was literally a genius in his amazingly quick wit and his incisive observations of human nature - all of which he presented sardonically, without judgment, and with quick silver speed. I think he was completely and wonderfully unìque and wise. I truly feel he was a gentle genius in the art of "being". He was a one of a kind - absolutely, wonderfully himself. ❤
왜 동성애자라고 혐오 혹은 차별의 대상인지 모르겠어. 누구에게도 피핼 주지 않는데..충분히 매력적이고 자신에 대한 관리도 누구보다 잘 하는데..
If you can't be a teacher. If there's nothing that you know, that they don't; then you can try politics.
Brillant. Thank you so much.
He Foresaw A.i ...Wow
Let me start off with a qualifying statement . I am a Bible believing Christian. I don’t support the idea of homosexuality. However this doesn’t mean that I don’t love people for who they are and accept them as they are . I am an absolute fan of Quentin and wish I could have met him. He was an amazing human being. Intelligent, funny, kind and definitely sure of himself . I love listening to this talk and often come back to listen to it. I absolutely wish I’d met mr crisp and had a chance to talk to him
Quentin Crisp = Scarcity of Commodity.......
Simply marvelous..... thank you so much for posting this gem.
"people do make comparisons between me and other people. chiefly Mr. [Oscar] Wilde of course, whose idea of style was mistaken, personally;
he said, "in matters of great importance, it is not sincerity that matters, but style"
but to me, they're the same thing."
Ask yourself why you keep coming back to this video? This beautiful gentleman was ahead of his time….
Thank you for sharing! What a remarkable human being! I so admire his determination and courage to always be himself despite all the hate and abuse he suffered. Such a true message regarding looking inwards to know yourself.
I love how he describes the personification of a human living their true self and Jungian Shadow as Tallulah Bankhead as she opens at a Westend theatre in London, in a murder mystery, stepping over a dead body as the curtain opens to rapturous applause saying "hello darlings thank you so so much" then stepping back over the dead body and going "ooh" in shock as if she's just seen it. lmfao. He makes camp high art.
Quinton shows Trump what a real combover looks like.