I have lived alone for 12+ years. I lived accordingly to myself and had of course interactions with other ppl. But as a 45 year old man now,... A scared child avoids the fire... To see myself living together with another person either for communal benefits or passion.... Are there benefits?...
@@Bone74838 I'd say it can be great or not so great. You're obviously someone who can live on their own, so you'd really need to find someone such as yourself otherwise they'd get on your nerves if they were too chatty, had unhealthy boundaries, etc. Lastly, you need to understand that you don't just get a roomie, you get the roomie's friends, too. And THEY may be total, using asshats &/or thieves.
I remember reading an interview he gave in the 1980s for Cosmopolitan, I think, and in it he is quoted as saying that "Women will only ever have equality when they stop worrying about what men think of them", and he was and still is absolutely right.
You may or may not have noticed him lighting the gas fire just before the film crew came in this is very typical gesture that you made your home comfortably warm for visitors not for yourself as a gas bill was something you dreaded. An act of respect and kindness for those who visited you. A very brave human being and one that we should listen to the gentleness of his message.
That last thing he says at the end is very moving and relatable: "If you're on a tightrope, when you first set off you don't know how much play there is in the rope. But when you get into the middle, between the ages of twenty and forty, the thing rocks like mad and it's too late to go back, even to look back. But if you go on as carefully as you can, you see the other platform and then you just make a dash for it, not bothering what the audience thinks, or waving your arms, or looking dangerous and difficult and prodigious. What you see when you get to the other side is, in fact, the edge of your coffin. And you get into it, and you lie down, and you think, 'My cuffs are frayed, I haven't written to my mother,' and all those other things. And then you think, 'It doesn't matter. Because I'm dead.' And this is a message of hope. It will come to an end. It will come, we cannot be blamed for it, and we shall be free.”
You clearly are as delusional as he is All the insane murderers also think it's the rest of the world that's the problem that the are sane and the world is not hey justify their sins and actions too You all call evil good and good evil
As a namesake and a child of the 70s/80s in the UK I was bullied and beaten for not fitting in, for being different, gentle, quiet, artistic, soft. I was tortured, spat on, and called a queer. Queer Quentin! I was taunted with Crisp's name at every turn during those vulnerable, tender years. I had no idea at the time who Quentin Crisp was, but I cursed him, for surely he was a monster to be so reviled, and for me to be so shamed and cast out. It was only much later in life, many painful years later, that I found peace with myself and my past. I also finally learned who Quentin Crisp was and at last I wear my name with pride. I wish I had met him. I wish I had had his courage when young, to be soft in a hard world... but now will do. Aye, now willl do ❤
@Quentin Walker As an artist/writer I can thoroughly feel your pain of years gone by, no encouragement for art as a career, cast out at sixteen to fend for myself which was so hard bur gradually found friends all over the world who were endeavouring to carve out a niche in the Arts to fund my mainly writing I to did modelling and scraped by we lived in a shared house in Ladbroke Grove One Isreali,2 persian, 3 african musicians,myself and we pooled are moneys and has beautiful ethnic meals, music and dancing those were the days the best thing ironically my parents did was kick me out !❤xx
@@sarahjones-jf4pr Wonderful times I grew up in Earls Court.and have to admit to being one of a gang of little oiks who took this piss out of Quintin Crisp as he walked past. Now I see what a brave and wise man he was.
My mother was a good friend of Quentin Crisp. I remember he would visit our house in Battersea in the 70’s when I was a child, I don’t think he was that fussed about children, however I was always amazed by this man with purple hair and flamboyant clothes
@@TaraL24 No worries thanks for replying , I only asked because at the time of his death I lived in the village that he passed away in and have been fascinated with his story ever since.
He’s got a take on everything. He’s an intellect and comfortable in his own skin. The lens in which he observes the world. His thoughts upon it. Are pure gold.
He was 60 when this was filmed and did live another 30 years like he said and its great that those 30 years where so good for him. RIP Quentin
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He looks extremely well if 60...no wrinkles..full hair...he looks much younger ..in NY especially he must have had straight men attracted to him ..many...whether he accepted that attention seems a mystery
I’m not gay, but I aspire to be as brave and unique as this man. He had courage beyond imagination. He lived his life the way he wanted and isn’t that what we all want?
@@schrire39 That’s ok. Because I genuinely admire Quentin, I felt the need to point out that it’s not just the LBTQ community who are inspired by him. I see the way the comment was phrased made t seem a little defensive lol.
@@davidrobinson2776 I get what you mean. It did sound a bit “no homo” but you’ve explained your intention and it’s clear what you mean is a statement of solidarity.
@@schrire39 lol, after you pointed it out I considered editing the comment but our discussion, apart from being one of the most civilised ever conducted on the TH-cam comments section, explains everything from both sides very well. In future, I will choose my words a little more carefully.
@@davidrobinson2776 I’m glad you didn’t edit your comment (Crisp wouldn’t have wanted you to.) It’s perfectly valid for you to point out that you - as a straight man - aspire to Crisp’s courage. Quentin Crisp would have hated the PC mafia of today - the “thought police” whose ears prick up every time they hear a word or nuance that isn’t quite to their liking, or might imply something offensive. Although @schrire39 seemed genuine and polite, that mentality is the reason we DON’T have free thinkers, artists and writers like Quentin Crisp anymore - and it’s a shame.
@@jonhohensee3258I happened to come across them together that day on my way to Fulton Market to buy some fish for a meal I was preparing for The Grateful Dead. So think twice in future before doubting another's word.
Shane, thanks so much for this, I ordered the DVD. I had the great pleasure of meeting Quentin Crisp three times in NYC in the late1990s. The first time was at one of his one-man shows, as he was signing books. I was so shy I wasn't sure I'd approach him and ended up being the last person in the line. Then I panicked, stepped up, and asked him to inscribe the book "To a ridiculous woman". He looked surprised for a moment, then gave this wonderful smile, and wrote "To a ridiculous woman... from a ridiculous man". We laughed. A little later a friend gave a dinner party where Crisp was one of the guests. On this occasion I was encouraged to invite him too, and my then-girlfriend and I gave what was probably one of the last NYC parties he went to. Gracious and kind, his memory never fails to restore me.
Had the pleasure of knowing Quentin.....up the stairs to his gas-fired flat....'I can offer you a cup of coffee' he said 'last year's milk I'm afraid" ...we became friends & helped him get his one man show started (I'm a thesp) at Kings Head in Islington.....knew he could do it (though 2 hours a bit long) so we hit on brilliant wheeze he'd talk for 45 scripted (well semi) mins & the audience would pop a 'Question for Quentin' into a box on the way in....and in the second half he'd pluck em out and answer 'em.....worked a treat & always surprised. He was delighted to go to NYC ....'darling bring to me your huddled masses, well if ever there was a huddled mass it is I". where he had a thoroughly agreeable time and was much appreciated.
Toward the end of his career, I saw him live at a tiny venue in Dallas, Texas. He was frail and slow but he kept the audience spellbound for hours. It was a terrifically special evening that I will never forget.
He's dead and the world IS a bore. Endlessly proferring quotes to the atmosphere in case a passer-by might write them down isn't "being yourself", he's performing, and he put on a good show but I'd like to see what there really was to him. Did he put the show on for _everyone, all the time?_
I’ve known the name for decades. I knew what he looked like. I’d seen photographs of him. But I had not the faintest idea that he was a man of such towering intellect. an entire, tragic philosophy of life unto himself. I’m in awe.
@@kwimms Take your disrespect and go away this is not for such revolting comment ,and why did you watch it, or part of it? Wonder if you had the bottle to end up as a celebrity on the American stage?and have a film made about you?
The greatest wit in the English language since Oscar Wilde. As a social commentator, he challenges us to think, an activity beyond the ken of most people...
I remember seeing him once waiting for a bus in the kings road Chelsea , he was a real English eccentric , even standing at the bus stop he was striking a pose and every body noticed him , and in London in the sixties that really wasn’t easy , because everyone was dressing up
A true individual and independent thinker. He challenged without becoming aggressively challenging, and accepted all and everything as he saw it. Genius
Amazing to think Quentin thought his life was coming to an end and he would die in that room in London but 5 years later when his book was made into a TV film starring John Hurt he became world famous, moved to New York and lived an amazing 30 more years as a celebrated person. It just shows how your life can change at any time.
I saw Quentin when he was doing his dialogues in the village in NYC. It was in a small venue...maybe 100 folding chair seats and he would just hold forth talking about his life. There was an intermission and Quentin would just remain in his chair and those who wished to speak with him were welcome to do so. I was one who gathered around but was more immersed in his personality style and listened to how he responded to his audience. He was so individualistic. Calm, self accepting and simply authentic.
Believe it or not, I was a volunteer usher for those performances in NYC. I was in college and thought it would bring me closer to the stage. Had no idea who he was then.
How I would have liked to have met him - one of the most unique people to have ever lived. His observations are pure Zen and as far as I know, he knew nothing of that philosophy. He must have suffered horrible torment, but yet, he is/was so kind. Thank you for this clip. I had never seen it before. Rest in peace, dear Quentin. You certainly left an ideliable mark upon this world.
This is the first time watching anything about Quentin. I had seen small clips or pictures which had given me a negative view of him. I am so glad i saw this , he was i think the most honest person i have ever heard. A very interesting human being and there are not many of those around.
I remember watching "The Naked Civil Servant" as a young woman and thinking, now here is a wonderful man, a true hero of how to live one's live and remain individual!
So did I. He was at home in the city and so had to deal with so many others whenever he stepped out of his front door. Those of us who live in the countryside are much more free to be eccentric, particularly as we mellow into our later years.
He is a very unique character, intelligent, charming and totally honest. I loved this documentary, nothing like it is made anymore, it shows him as he truly is
@@louisecook6483 Interestingly towards the end of his life Crisp said that he was never really gay at all, and I remember him saying in the eighties that he wasn't all that keen on the gay rights movement. Actually I think Crisp was more of a dilettante than anything else.
This guy was like a wise ascetic homosexual mystic or something. Everything he says is interesting, witty or profound and all deeply rooted in natural truths. I'm glad I clicked on this vid
The thing about Quentin is his universal appeal: he just wanted to be himself, and so should you - whatever that is! He lived for another 28 years after this
I'm emotional watching it.... a very beautifull person.. and I'm an ex builder... I'm glad i have a little humanity and love in me... thanks for bringing it out Quentin....R.I.P.....
This iconic complicated man was in fact a shrewd survivor of prejudice and ridicule for being "different" also acutely aware of everything going on in the world around him and brave enough to exploit his persona for the theatrical, artistic talent he had, to make his life interesting, rewarding, and extraordinary, personally I think he had a beautiful face and ambiance which helped a lot in the times when surviving was the uppermost concern.Bravo Quentin R.I.P dear soul.
I was 5 years old when this was shown. I remember it so vividly as he was the total antithesis of everything that I knew of my own family. But strangely enough my friend in school was like this. He grew up to be the happiest man I’ve ever known.
Quentin was a unique spirit and a polestar for all of the people who don’t fit into the dopey molds society constructs. He was a hero for individuality.
@Paul Walker EVERYBODY goes to hell who isnt saved and born-again-we ALL live eternally in either heaven or hell! Its NOT the good that go to heaven there are NONE! its the forgiven who recieve Christs atonement on the cross-Jesus desires that NONE shall perish but sadly many do! I pray Quentin was saved! Jesus took me to heaven 25 yrs ago 3 months after i was saved! Read the Gospel of John! Be blessed!
@Paul Walker Woke is the biggest insult you could have chosen lol....no, not at all, I just believe in Jesus' message of love that Mr Crisp alluded to. That's the same Jesus of inclusion and acceptance I remember from the Bible.
He is an extraordinary man.Former 60 minutes Australian journalist Richard Carlton said that quentin crisp was "The most extraordinary person " he had ever met.
What a lovely creature...rebellion with such honest gracefulness and intelligence rarely found today...a unicorn in such a tactless world. I wish there were more Quentin Crisps in this world today. I don't know how I came across this vid, but thank you, it was perfect.
Wrong. The world is not "tactless." The world is just what it is, and partly what you make it, of which you may do so with more agency NOW than you likely ever did in the past. I agree we need more gracefulness and intelligence that Quentin modeled for us here, true. And as for rebellion, I doubly agree: The current aesthetic for people nowadays is to be so conformist as to not have a rebellious thought in their heads that might go against "the correct opinions" or "correct ideologies" of the lumpen masses.
As I child I was told about this interview by my parents (we didn’t have a television so I couldn’t watch it) but they were fascinated by it and quoted great chunks to me. Now, all these years later it’s even more fascinating than I imagine.
The comments here are a fascinating tribute to Quentin Crisp - every one is tolerant and appreciative. Back in the day I took my new young wife to hear his one-man touring show, The Naked Civil Servant, at Salisbury Playhouse. Homosexuality had only recently become legalised (in private), and we were trying to come to terms with this new approach. Quentin's historical strength in the face of public moral outrage was a matter of legend - on a par with Oscar Wilde, without the play-writing talent. We were stunned, in the event. Homosexuality was not even obliquely referred to, throughout the whole two hours of fluent verbal philosophy. The buzz in the interval bar was intoxicating!
He is 61 years old here, and saying he’s in the winter of his life and waiting for death, but he ended up living another 29 years. That is a very long winter. Part of his longevity might be due to the fact that he did not worry about the future, or dread the past.
You've brought back such memories for me.I love Quentin, he was so real, nor afraid to be who he really was. I was always different, a loner, and because of it was bullied, verbally abused, and the rest. Everyone assumed I was gay, I cared, not a Jot. Quentin was a necessary hero for the outsider like myself, gay or straight. I remember a docufilm on him back then when he was in New York, and the dust their never got any worse after three years as opposed to the four he speaks of here. Have you noticed, he, has the most beautiful hands. He was amazing and a curious intellect. Wonderful ❤😊
I had tea with him once. I was the Edinburgh Film Festival's Accom Officer one year and he arrived with his friend, a lady film maker with the amazing name of Felicity Sparrow. I had to find her a flat he would be sharing with her. While we awaited the keys arriving I sent out for cakes and scones. He was a charming, old-school gentleman. Reminded me of John Geilgud. A cherished memory.
The interviewer was so wrong when he said " you have nothing really". How course and wrong. He had his own life.And its one lived on his terms. He was quite a gent. He was an individual and had great insight .
In the late 1980s I lived in the East Village, New York City, and I recall seeing Quentin about town but mostly waiting in line behind him at the post office on 4th Avenue and 10th Street. He wore a kercheif around his neck and would dye his air blue/purple.
Quentin was such a brilliant construct, I watched a doco also on you tube about his family and discussion of his 'created image of aloneness' where in fact he had several siblings and a large family he engaged with. What I find even more interesting than his personal appearance and way of life is his philosophy and words, so interesting and at time confusing but incredibly insightful and observational. 'they rebel against their parents but conform with each other' so spot on and still rings true.
With hindsight, he was a great man really. I saw him on a US chat show, interviewed by David Letterman. The audience were initially hostile to him, but soon came round. Maybe because he was so authentic and genuinely likable.
You watch the Don Giller uploads too ? They didn't make a hostile impression , more like a hesitant , uncomfortable one - i fear you underestimate the freemindedness of the US Citizen
I watch this over and over it makes me happy to listen to a man who spoke truth and what a man who will be missed thank you yet again for this wonderful contribution to our world and its wonderful people who enriched it
Sort of bloke i could listen to all day. Measured, reasoned answers to everything. Like he talks about " the winter" of his life, then lives for anther 3 decades...as predicted
My mother used to think very highly of; she would tell me about him in the 1970’s when I was a child and we would watch him when he came on TV. I love how he says “housewives of Britain, hold your nerve, the dirt won’t seem any worse after the 1st 4 years” 😂😂
Very shrewd chap, not wholly correct but certainly food for thought. His analogy of life as a tightrope walk is a frighteningly accurate one, all too often. 'Always take the time to smell the flowers', please don't rush to cross the tightrope, it's not necessary, it's strong enough to hold you. RIP Mr Crisp, a most charming character!
I agree, so waste rest is such sparkling wit with which to deal with tge worlld, but that one must have really got to him. I often re-watch this little gem of a film
Amazing guy! Those little asides are hilarious! As a straight English guy it fills me with pride & joy that we now live in a climate of acceptance & inclusion that Quentin could have only dreamt of at this time. For that we have to grateful for the patience and tolerance of him & people like him who led us out of that darkness & ignorance!
I loved this man. So brave to lead his own life as he wanted. Especially during those hard early years. There is a film of his life, which made me cry. Some people were so cruel to this lovely man. R.I.P. Quentin, I wish more people had your thinking.
Met him in the late 90’s in the LES, NYC and he was just as fabulous, surrounded by two very muscular body guard friends I assumed. A great moment meeting him and Alan Ginsberg during those years.
"The problem of the young is to my mind always the same, how to conform and rebel at the same time. And this they have now solved, they rebel against their parents and conform to one another" Still true today.
I do so agree with you, but for one thing, he was so lonely. I had the real pleasure of meeting him on three occasions. Even though I was young, his loneliness exuded from him, without the need for him to actually say so.
@@GwynEllisHughes agreed. In earlier interviews you can see the scars of his unhappiness and the wounds of his experiences, before he perfected the later stage persona. His wit was a defense mechanism of sorts and one shouldn’t take all he said too literally. Much of it was playing to the gallery. A complex figure, but I admire his resilience and determination.
I attended a reading he gave at the Donmar Warehouse in the late 80s and had a brief chat with him afterwards. A truly lovely human being. He signed a photo for me. I’m looking at it now. What’s your name he asked, pen hovering over the photo. “David”, I said. He looked up at me sympathetically. “Never mind dear”.
Intelligent, compassionate and totally unique. The World is a much better place for having had Quentin Crisp in it. He should have been given an honour from the Late Queen. Quentin Crisp was much more than an old queen - he was a trailblazer. A blazing comet through a dark and often hostile night sky.
Beautiful and intelligently made television from an age when chasing ratings wasn't the be all and end all, and thumbnails and algorithms had yet to be invented. Quentin himself is on sublime form here - casually throwing out wisdom in a way that would make many professional philosophers jealous.
I saw him in his one man show when he was quite old, his philosophy became irrational as he got older. Here he is wonderful. A beautiful, wonderful man.
John Hurt was amazing as Quentin Crisp. Such a wonderful actor. I hope Quentin was happy that such an esteemed actor portrayed him with such love and compassion for what many people thought of as a sin . As for the dust I have used that sentence many times about the dust not getting any worse after 4 years . I think Miss Haversham would have been in agreement with that !!!
I attended his 1 man show in the West village in NYC. I asked a question about bullying during the Q&A part of the show. What a great show!!!. RIP Quentin.😪
It took the universe approximately 13.77 billion years to produce Quentin Crisp, it was worth the wait.
It🔨
Too right.👍
He was a true freak. That is, a complete human being. We need a Quentin Crisp to replace Putin as Russian president.
Oh absolutely!
Not really
I remember Quentin once said something along the lines of “the only way one can truly be themselves is to live alone”. Very true!
I live alone and I’m gay. I love living alone but I do have a partner and maybe someday we will live together.
I have lived alone for 12+ years. I lived accordingly to myself and had of course interactions with other ppl. But as a 45 year old man now,... A scared child avoids the fire... To see myself living together with another person either for communal benefits or passion.... Are there benefits?...
@@Bone74838There are.
@@Bone74838 I'd say it can be great or not so great. You're obviously someone who can live on their own, so you'd really need to find someone such as yourself otherwise they'd get on your nerves if they were too chatty, had unhealthy boundaries, etc. Lastly, you need to understand that you don't just get a roomie, you get the roomie's friends, too. And THEY may be total, using asshats &/or thieves.
@@Bone74838yes there is….someone to help split living costs and bills, roll spliffs for me and take the bin out 😊
I remember reading an interview he gave in the 1980s for Cosmopolitan, I think, and in it he is quoted as saying that "Women will only ever have equality when they stop worrying about what men think of them", and he was and still is absolutely right.
A man's perspective on women's rights is valueless
@@roleat Why do you think that?
Because no man has ever given her any attention. That's the bitterness of being ignored in life. @@dawnydoodah
@@dawnydoodah hubris
You may or may not have noticed him lighting the gas fire just before the film crew came in this is very typical gesture that you made your home comfortably warm for visitors not for yourself as a gas bill was something you dreaded. An act of respect and kindness for those who visited you. A very brave human being and one that we should listen to the gentleness of his message.
He was so compassionate regarding the effect he had on his parents. He never resented them but felt sorry for them....gaaah. I love this man.
He reminds me of Oscar Wilde.
He did wait till the first cameraman arrived though. What does that tell you?😂
The dread of the gas and electric bill continues 😭 🤣
@@elissasangi-hd9om and now it's even worse!😱🥶😂👍
That last thing he says at the end is very moving and relatable:
"If you're on a tightrope, when you first set off you don't know how much play there is in the rope. But when you get into the middle, between the ages of twenty and forty, the thing rocks like mad and it's too late to go back, even to look back. But if you go on as carefully as you can, you see the other platform and then you just make a dash for it, not bothering what the audience thinks, or waving your arms, or looking dangerous and difficult and prodigious. What you see when you get to the other side is, in fact, the edge of your coffin. And you get into it, and you lie down, and you think, 'My cuffs are frayed, I haven't written to my mother,' and all those other things. And then you think, 'It doesn't matter. Because I'm dead.' And this is a message of hope. It will come to an end. It will come, we cannot be blamed for it, and we shall be free.”
A perfectly sane man in a terribly mad and sad world.
Nearly exactly my takaway
Indeed!
You clearly are as delusional as he is
All the insane murderers also think it's the rest of the world that's the problem that the are sane and the world is not hey justify their sins and actions too
You all call evil good and good evil
It's all fun and games until he scares the children in the bathroom
There are some wonderful, quirky thoughts here. @@DaisyDuck-ib4ks
As a namesake and a child of the 70s/80s in the UK I was bullied and beaten for not fitting in, for being different, gentle, quiet, artistic, soft. I was tortured, spat on, and called a queer. Queer Quentin! I was taunted with Crisp's name at every turn during those vulnerable, tender years. I had no idea at the time who Quentin Crisp was, but I cursed him, for surely he was a monster to be so reviled, and for me to be so shamed and cast out. It was only much later in life, many painful years later, that I found peace with myself and my past. I also finally learned who Quentin Crisp was and at last I wear my name with pride. I wish I had met him. I wish I had had his courage when young, to be soft in a hard world... but now will do. Aye, now willl do ❤
@ListenEar-rl6sp Forgiveness. First for others, then finally for myself. It's the key that unlocks suffering
@Quentin Walker As an artist/writer I can thoroughly feel your pain of years gone by, no encouragement for art as a career, cast out at sixteen to fend for myself which was so hard bur gradually found friends all over the world who were endeavouring to carve out a niche in the Arts to fund my mainly writing I to did modelling and scraped by we lived in a shared house in Ladbroke Grove One Isreali,2 persian, 3 african musicians,myself and we pooled are moneys and has beautiful ethnic meals, music and dancing those were the days the best thing ironically my parents did was kick me out !❤xx
Now will absolutely do. Thank you for sharing your story.
@@sarahjones-jf4pr
Wonderful times I grew up in Earls Court.and have to admit to being one of a gang of little oiks who took this piss out of Quintin Crisp as he walked past. Now I see what a brave and wise man he was.
He is to be revered! ...IMO.
My mother was a good friend of Quentin Crisp. I remember he would visit our house in Battersea in the 70’s when I was a child, I don’t think he was that fussed about children, however I was always amazed by this man with purple hair and flamboyant clothes
How wonderful!
What did they talk about??
@ sorry I have no idea I was just a child. I probably wasn’t interested in their conversation
@@TaraL24 No worries thanks for replying , I only asked because at the time of his death I lived in the village that he passed away in and have been fascinated with his story ever since.
@ yes, he was fascinating! I just didn’t know it until much later. Thank you for asking xx
He’s got a take on everything.
He’s an intellect and comfortable in his own skin.
The lens in which he observes the world.
His thoughts upon it.
Are pure gold.
Excellent summary
He is my spirit animal. Would definitely loved to know him and existed in this time.
He was 60 when this was filmed and did live another 30 years like he said and its great that those 30 years where so good for him. RIP Quentin
He looks extremely well if 60...no wrinkles..full hair...he looks much younger ..in NY especially he must have had straight men attracted to him ..many...whether he accepted that attention seems a mystery
In what universe would a straight man be attracted to this ..'fk up' of a human being??
What a ridiculous thing to suggest!
Best quote:
‘I can’t help it if other people are eccentric’, Spot on, Mr Crisp!
I’m not gay, but I aspire to be as brave and unique as this man. He had courage beyond imagination. He lived his life the way he wanted and isn’t that what we all want?
I have a question for you and it's a genuine, open question: Why did you point out that you are not gay?
@@schrire39 That’s ok. Because I genuinely admire Quentin, I felt the need to point out that it’s not just the LBTQ community who are inspired by him. I see the way the comment was phrased made t seem a little defensive lol.
@@davidrobinson2776 I get what you mean. It did sound a bit “no homo” but you’ve explained your intention and it’s clear what you mean is a statement of solidarity.
@@schrire39 lol, after you pointed it out I considered editing the comment but our discussion, apart from being one of the most civilised ever conducted on the TH-cam comments section, explains everything from both sides very well. In future, I will choose my words a little more carefully.
@@davidrobinson2776 I’m glad you didn’t edit your comment (Crisp wouldn’t have wanted you to.) It’s perfectly valid for you to point out that you - as a straight man - aspire to Crisp’s courage. Quentin Crisp would have hated the PC mafia of today - the “thought police” whose ears prick up every time they hear a word or nuance that isn’t quite to their liking, or might imply something offensive. Although @schrire39 seemed genuine and polite, that mentality is the reason we DON’T have free thinkers, artists and writers like Quentin Crisp anymore - and it’s a shame.
I met him on the street in San Francisco in the late 1990’s. He was charming as ever. It was a dream come true.
I can make stuff up too.
@@jonhohensee3258I happened to come across them together that day on my way to Fulton Market to buy some fish for a meal I was preparing for The Grateful Dead. So think twice in future before doubting another's word.
I met him in NY in the lower east side. The last year he was alive. I said “Oh hello there I know who you are.” He was delighted and salty.
@@jonhohensee3258some people live in cities and it’s normal to come across famous people.
@@The-Finisher Never happened. Sorry.
I was born in 1965 and this music was part of my childhood in the 1970s.The World in action series pulled no punches.
"blind with mascara....
and dumb with lipstick" Quentin Crisp.
I will quote with pride. 🙏
He didn't believe in God he said that
@@matimus100
And??
Defiant.
" and my brothers girl friend looked at me and said oh look at that my brother replied I have seen it before. 😁
Shane, thanks so much for this, I ordered the DVD. I had the great pleasure of meeting Quentin Crisp three times in NYC in the late1990s. The first time was at one of his one-man shows, as he was signing books. I was so shy I wasn't sure I'd approach him and ended up being the last person in the line. Then I panicked, stepped up, and asked him to inscribe the book "To a ridiculous woman". He looked surprised for a moment, then gave this wonderful smile, and wrote "To a ridiculous woman... from a ridiculous man". We laughed. A little later a friend gave a dinner party where Crisp was one of the guests. On this occasion I was encouraged to invite him too, and my then-girlfriend and I gave what was probably one of the last NYC parties he went to. Gracious and kind, his memory never fails to restore me.
Lovely comment @CineMadame. Hope you’re keeping well
Watching this makes you realise what a fabulous actor John Hurt was.
I totely agree, great performance, by John Hert
@@andrewmorton395 You can't spell totally.🤣🤣🤣
When asked what he thought of John Hurt's portrayal he said "He was even better..."
marvellous!
@@jfk9996 What's the name of the movie? I'd like to see it.
Had the pleasure of knowing Quentin.....up the stairs to his gas-fired flat....'I can offer you a cup of coffee' he said 'last year's milk I'm afraid" ...we became friends & helped him get his one man show started (I'm a thesp) at Kings Head in Islington.....knew he could do it (though 2 hours a bit long) so we hit on brilliant wheeze he'd talk for 45 scripted (well semi) mins & the audience would pop a 'Question for Quentin' into a box on the way in....and in the second half he'd pluck em out and answer 'em.....worked a treat & always surprised. He was delighted to go to NYC ....'darling bring to me your huddled masses, well if ever there was a huddled mass it is I". where he had a thoroughly agreeable time and was much appreciated.
Toward the end of his career, I saw him live at a tiny venue in Dallas, Texas. He was frail and slow but he kept the audience spellbound for hours. It was a terrifically special evening that I will never forget.
Initially, I read that as livvve, not liiive, and cocked my eyebrow.
most people who are great live by who they are.. x
Thank you for sharing that; how special a memory.
I’m in Dallas where did you see him? What theater just asking?
Marvelous….
Without people like Quentin the world would be a bore.
Always admired his bravery for just being himself
Your so right
But he's the ultimate BORE ! Completely self absorbed - has a immense appreciation of dirt though.
@@lizlambert Having endured such persecution and solitude it is hardly surprising! How you can call him a 'bore' I just cannot comprehend.
@@rnw2739 different strokes for different folks I guess 😊
He's dead and the world IS a bore.
Endlessly proferring quotes to the atmosphere in case a passer-by might write them down isn't "being yourself", he's performing, and he put on a good show but I'd like to see what there really was to him. Did he put the show on for _everyone, all the time?_
I’ve known the name for decades. I knew what he looked like. I’d seen photographs of him. But I had not the faintest idea that he was a man of such towering intellect. an entire, tragic philosophy of life unto himself. I’m in awe.
Highly intelligent and articulate man.
We don't see honest interviews like this on TV these days.
We don't see people who will speak out against "the correct opinions" like this, that's for sure.
Guys a right mess and waste of space.
@@kwimms Yet here you are!
@@kwimms Take your disrespect and go away this is not for such revolting comment ,and why did you watch it, or part of it? Wonder if you had the bottle to end up as a celebrity on the American stage?and have a film made about you?
@@kwimms
We sorely need people like Quentin Crisp in the world to balance out the thick-heads like yourself.
The greatest wit in the English language since Oscar Wilde. As a social commentator, he challenges us to think, an activity beyond the ken of most people...
That's rather hyperbolic, and unthinking.
Wittier and more incisive than , say, G K Chesterton? Surely not.
@@Lytton333 How do you know what I'm thinking or not? Hoisted by your own petard, don't ya know.
Who's Ken?
@@davidcripps3011 David, dear boy, d'ye ken John Peel?
@@rogerlephoque3704 :-)
I remember seeing him once waiting for a bus in the kings road Chelsea , he was a real English eccentric , even standing at the bus stop he was striking a pose and every body noticed him , and in London in the sixties that really wasn’t easy , because everyone was dressing up
Did he ever go to the Stockpot or Partridges ? I wish so much that I had spoken with him .
Fashion is what you are told. Style is what you tell yourself. - Quentin Crisp
A true individual and independent thinker. He challenged without becoming aggressively challenging, and accepted all and everything as he saw it. Genius
Amazing to think Quentin thought his life was coming to an end and he would die in that room in London but 5 years later when his book was made into a TV film starring John Hurt he became world famous, moved to New York and lived an amazing 30 more years as a celebrated person. It just shows how your life can change at any time.
Hope for us all.
@raymondo6665 Ugh! What a horrible image! Thank you for putting me off toad- in- the- hole for life!
@raymondo6665 Oh, give it a rest you 🤡
He died in a Bed and Breakfast in Manchester the night of his arrival from the USA.
He looked about 50--that’s young!
I saw Quentin when he was doing his dialogues in the village in NYC. It was in a small venue...maybe 100 folding chair seats and he would just hold forth talking about his life. There was an intermission and Quentin would just remain in his chair and those who wished to speak with him were welcome to do so. I was one who gathered around but was more immersed in his personality style and listened to how he responded to his audience. He was so individualistic. Calm, self accepting and simply authentic.
Believe it or not, I was a volunteer usher for those performances in NYC. I was in college and thought it would bring me closer to the stage. Had no idea who he was then.
How I would have liked to have met him - one of the most unique people to have ever lived. His observations are pure Zen and as far as I know, he knew nothing of that philosophy. He must have suffered horrible torment, but yet, he is/was so kind. Thank you for this clip. I had never seen it before. Rest in peace, dear Quentin. You certainly left an ideliable mark upon this world.
"But yet."
I met him on the Bowery in the early 80s. He was very kind.
Amen, well stated 👍🙂👍✌️☮️✌️☮️
Indelible*
What an incredible character! Strong, brave, with the guts to be himself! We need more people like him. Total respect!
The most sensible conversation I've ever listened to, and what courage.
Quentin’s voice alone could still a charging bull! Wonderfully unique guy.The world needs more like him.
This is the first time watching anything about Quentin. I had seen small clips or pictures which had given me a negative view of him. I am so glad i saw this , he was i think the most honest person i have ever heard. A very interesting human being and there are not many of those around.
I remember watching "The Naked Civil Servant" as a young woman and thinking, now here is a wonderful man, a true hero of how to live one's live and remain individual!
So did I. He was at home in the city and so had to deal with so many others whenever he stepped out of his front door. Those of us who live in the countryside are much more free to be eccentric, particularly as we mellow into our later years.
Yes did John hurt play him ,
The book was quite sexually graphic
Agree!
My god what an incredibly interesting man, a very unique little movie.
Not all bum chums are as pure as QC
He is a very unique character, intelligent, charming and totally honest. I loved this documentary, nothing like it is made anymore, it shows him as he truly is
John Hurt. Played him in a TV film the naked civil servant !
@@trojanhorse5363 You are ignorance personified!!!!
@@louisecook6483 Interestingly towards the end of his life Crisp said that he was never really gay at all, and I remember him saying in the eighties that he wasn't all that keen on the gay rights movement. Actually I think Crisp was more of a dilettante than anything else.
This guy was like a wise ascetic homosexual mystic or something. Everything he says is interesting, witty or profound and all deeply rooted in natural truths. I'm glad I clicked on this vid
FOR REAL?
The picture of Big lenny on a OD as your profile is so funny 😂😂😂
@@terencebigballs8531 Robert please!
A very good description.
@@MB-oc1nw year of the cat.. Do do dá do do do
Quentin was a truly exceptional person , a great writer and wonderful raconteur . He is missed .
The thing about Quentin is his universal appeal: he just wanted to be himself, and so should you - whatever that is!
He lived for another 28 years after this
i hope he was happy by the end
Everyone should be who they really are and be left alone
@@lindabishop7656 . Best comment 😉👍
@@andrewlawless9796 it sounds like he was. He loved living in America.
What a wonderful person I agree he's got a lot of balls.
I love this man; I read the Naked Civil Servant every year. His wisdom and bravery were beyond compare.
A real genius.😂
Congratulations on being in love with another man
Thanks for telling sharing this with everyone
I'm emotional watching it.... a very beautifull person.. and I'm an ex builder... I'm glad i have a little humanity and love in me... thanks for bringing it out Quentin....R.I.P.....
Imagine being the most sane and enlightened person in a world of madness and everyone telling you that you were the mad one? The irony.
Quite often the case !
that's generally the problem with gauss curves : that noisy huge lump in the middle
That is so true he would be proud of how you worded that statement well done...
God bless you Quentin Crisp you lived your life how you wanted to.
God bless
Of course he did.
This iconic complicated man was in fact a shrewd survivor of prejudice and ridicule for being "different" also acutely aware of everything going on in the world around him and brave enough to exploit his persona for the theatrical, artistic talent he had, to make his life interesting, rewarding, and extraordinary, personally I think he had a beautiful face and ambiance which helped a lot in the times when surviving was the uppermost concern.Bravo Quentin R.I.P dear soul.
He was beautiful! He could be attractive as either sex.
What a beautiful complexion Quentin had.
John hurt did a great job playing him.
Yes he really did he sounded just like him.I don’t think anyone could of been better than John hurt.
I was 5 years old when this was shown. I remember it so vividly as he was the total antithesis of everything that I knew of my own family. But strangely enough my friend in school was like this. He grew up to be the happiest man I’ve ever known.
@@DaisyDuck-ib4ksHow would ypu know! Are you iealous! ??? 😮
Quentin was a unique spirit and a polestar for all of the people who don’t fit into the dopey molds society constructs. He was a hero for individuality.
"society" isn't constructing, but the controllers of societies who think they know better, and do it "because they can".
@Paul Walker I'm inclined to agree with ya, but who on earth actually knows ... yet.
@Paul Walker EVERYBODY goes to hell who isnt saved and born-again-we ALL live eternally in either heaven or hell! Its NOT the good that go to heaven there are NONE! its the forgiven who recieve Christs atonement on the cross-Jesus desires that NONE shall perish but sadly many do! I pray Quentin was saved! Jesus took me to heaven 25 yrs ago 3 months after i was saved! Read the Gospel of John! Be blessed!
@Paul Walker For what? Being himself, and living life on his own terms? Hell must be one busy place according to your judgement.
@Paul Walker Woke is the biggest insult you could have chosen lol....no, not at all, I just believe in Jesus' message of love that Mr Crisp alluded to. That's the same Jesus of inclusion and acceptance I remember from the Bible.
We used to draw a naked Quentin in our St Albans, Hertfordshire life drawing class . He was a gentleman. 🙌🦋
He is an extraordinary man.Former 60 minutes Australian journalist Richard Carlton said that quentin crisp was "The most extraordinary person " he had ever met.
What a lovely creature...rebellion with such honest gracefulness and intelligence rarely found today...a unicorn in such a tactless world. I wish there were more Quentin Crisps in this world today. I don't know how I came across this vid, but thank you, it was perfect.
Well said
Wrong. The world is not "tactless." The world is just what it is, and partly what you make it, of which you may do so with more agency NOW than you likely ever did in the past. I agree we need more gracefulness and intelligence that Quentin modeled for us here, true. And as for rebellion, I doubly agree: The current aesthetic for people nowadays is to be so conformist as to not have a rebellious thought in their heads that might go against "the correct opinions" or "correct ideologies" of the lumpen masses.
@@mlovmoMaybe your going through some rebellion. You just agreed with everything that was said by first starting with wrong? Ok
As I child I was told about this interview by my parents (we didn’t have a television so I couldn’t watch it) but they were fascinated by it and quoted great chunks to me. Now, all these years later it’s even more fascinating than I imagine.
He’s a gem…I wish I had the delightful pleasure of meeting him, even if it’s just for a few seconds.☺️🙏❤️
Bright, funny, interesting, intelligent, the list goes on. I am really glad that I stumbled across this little gem.
25 minutes of pure gold
The comments here are a fascinating tribute to Quentin Crisp - every one is tolerant and appreciative. Back in the day I took my new young wife to hear his one-man touring show, The Naked Civil Servant, at Salisbury Playhouse. Homosexuality had only recently become legalised (in private), and we were trying to come to terms with this new approach. Quentin's historical strength in the face of public moral outrage was a matter of legend - on a par with Oscar Wilde, without the play-writing talent. We were stunned, in the event. Homosexuality was not even obliquely referred to, throughout the whole two hours of fluent verbal philosophy. The buzz in the interval bar was intoxicating!
He is 61 years old here, and saying he’s in the winter of his life and waiting for death, but he ended up living another 29 years.
That is a very long winter.
Part of his longevity might be due to the fact that he did not worry about the future, or dread the past.
I think you are right.
Good genes more than self help waffle methinks
You've brought back such memories for me.I love Quentin, he was so real, nor afraid to be who he really was. I was always different, a loner, and because of it was bullied, verbally abused, and the rest. Everyone assumed I was gay, I cared, not a Jot. Quentin was a necessary hero for the outsider like myself, gay or straight. I remember a docufilm on him back then when he was in New York, and the dust their never got any worse after three years as opposed to the four he speaks of here. Have you noticed, he, has the most beautiful hands.
He was amazing and a curious intellect.
Wonderful ❤😊
You're right - I too kept noticing his pristine hands - & he's about 60 here.
I had tea with him once. I was the Edinburgh Film Festival's Accom Officer one year and he arrived with his friend, a lady film maker with the amazing name of Felicity Sparrow. I had to find her a flat he would be sharing with her. While we awaited the keys arriving I sent out for cakes and scones. He was a charming, old-school gentleman. Reminded me of John Geilgud. A cherished memory.
Thanks for sharing this memory. Lovely.
The interviewer was so wrong when he said " you have nothing really". How course and wrong. He had his own life.And its one lived on his terms. He was quite a gent. He was an individual and had great insight .
Coarse
Why does honesty offend you?
It was a question designed to get an interesting response. That's the point of a revealing interview.
@@dodibenabba1378 kunnt
A necessary question/statement as he merely verbalized the thought of many, most importantly was his response that educated many. 🤠🙋♂️💖
Someone who was just incredibly happy being himself with no bother about anyone else's opinion of him, THAT'S freedom of self.
A real pioneer, he's owed a lot and deserves to be remembered.
The question of whether he'd like to live another thirty years was prophetic. He lived thirty years exactly beyond this interview.
He did. And came back to London to die. He was born on Christmas Day y'know
Because he was a gift to us all!
A true philosopher so brave and so ahead of his time
He did go on to live another 30 years and I do believe his years in New York City were the happiest of his life.
I saw him perform his live show in London in 1978. At first, he came across as being very odd, but after a few minutes everyone was on his side.
In the late 1980s I lived in the East Village, New York City, and I recall seeing Quentin about town but mostly waiting in line behind him at the post office on 4th Avenue and 10th Street. He wore a kercheif around his neck and would dye his air blue/purple.
So he’d lived there since 1940!
What a gem of a time capsule - enjoyed it on so many levels 🌟🌹
yes how long had he lived in that bed/sit?
@@sarahjones-jf4prSince 1941 I believe.
I wish I had an uncle like Quinton. Would have been such a ball to hang out with and such a source of enlightened conversation and help.
What an HONEST individual. Talk about GUTS !!!
Quentin was such a brilliant construct, I watched a doco also on you tube about his family and discussion of his 'created image of aloneness' where in fact he had several siblings and a large family he engaged with. What I find even more interesting than his personal appearance and way of life is his philosophy and words, so interesting and at time confusing but incredibly insightful and observational. 'they rebel against their parents but conform with each other' so spot on and still rings true.
With hindsight, he was a great man really. I saw him on a US chat show, interviewed by David Letterman. The audience were initially hostile to him, but soon came round. Maybe because he was so authentic and genuinely likable.
You watch the Don Giller uploads too ? They didn't make a hostile impression , more like a hesitant , uncomfortable one - i fear you underestimate the freemindedness of the US Citizen
People respond to honesty.
Everything I've read about Mr Crisp suggests he was a very polite and considerate gentleman.
@@Londonfogey yes : he was both Gentle and Man
@@FlockOfHawks I didn't mean to suggest anything negative about the US. Actually the word you use (ie hesitant) is really what I meant to say.
I watch this over and over it makes me happy to listen to a man who spoke truth and what a man who will be missed thank you yet again for this wonderful contribution to our world and its wonderful people who enriched it
love is the extra effort you make with people you dont like, worthy of Oscar
I agree with him, this is indeed love alright. It's easy to love someone who's lovable. There's no reward in that.
He seemed to have a fantastic ways with words, and made sense..in a complicated sort of way ..😄
that is exactly what unconditional love is or unconditional positive regard
Truly Truly Truly.
@@robertcain3426 Why on earth would you "love" or make the "Effort" to love someone who is not appealing or attractive in some way to oneself!!?
Enormously intelligent, erudite and wonderfully charismatic individual. 💜😪💔
Sort of bloke i could listen to all day. Measured, reasoned answers to everything.
Like he talks about " the winter" of his life, then lives for anther 3 decades...as predicted
My mother used to think very highly of; she would tell me about him in the 1970’s when I was a child and we would watch him when he came on TV. I love how he says “housewives of Britain, hold your nerve, the dirt won’t seem any worse after the 1st 4 years” 😂😂
Very shrewd chap, not wholly correct but certainly food for thought. His analogy of life as a tightrope walk is a frighteningly accurate one, all too often. 'Always take the time to smell the flowers', please don't rush to cross the tightrope, it's not necessary, it's strong enough to hold you. RIP Mr Crisp, a most charming character!
How sad his face looked when his brother had passed him in the street and said he has ‘seen it before’.
I agree, so waste rest is such sparkling wit with which to deal with tge worlld, but that one must have really got to him. I often re-watch this little gem of a film
Amazing guy! Those little asides are hilarious!
As a straight English guy it fills me with pride & joy that we now live in a climate of acceptance & inclusion that Quentin could have only dreamt of at this time. For that we have to grateful for the patience and tolerance of him & people like him who led us out of that darkness & ignorance!
His articulation is delightful and satisfying.☺️
I loved this man. So brave to lead his own life as he wanted. Especially during those hard early years. There is a film of his life, which made me cry. Some people were so cruel to this lovely man. R.I.P. Quentin, I wish more people had your thinking.
Met him in the late 90’s in the LES, NYC and he was just as fabulous, surrounded by two very muscular body guard friends I assumed. A great moment meeting him and Alan Ginsberg during those years.
So great that Quentin had a second go at life in New York after all of this!
What an absolutely marvellous human being
"The problem of the young is to my mind always the same, how to conform and rebel at the same time. And this they have now solved, they rebel against their parents and conform to one another"
Still true today.
At 19:57
Hear hear!
As Lisa says to Bart; "An earring, how rebellious. In a conformist sort of way"
Wow .. this is my relationship with my daughter.. literally just made sense
Caught that one.
What an amazing example of tragedy and comedy. Quentin is dark, light and all shades of gray in between. ❤❤❤
A brilliant wit and a great sylist. Who in their right mind doesnt love Quentin?
I do so agree with you, but for one thing, he was so lonely. I had the real pleasure of meeting him on three occasions. Even though I was young, his loneliness exuded from him, without the need for him to actually say so.
@@GwynEllisHughes agreed. In earlier interviews you can see the scars of his unhappiness and the wounds of his experiences, before he perfected the later stage persona. His wit was a defense mechanism of sorts and one shouldn’t take all he said too literally. Much of it was playing to the gallery. A complex figure, but I admire his resilience and determination.
I attended a reading he gave at the Donmar Warehouse in the late 80s and had a brief chat with him afterwards. A truly lovely human being. He signed a photo for me. I’m looking at it now. What’s your name he asked, pen hovering over the photo. “David”, I said. He looked up at me sympathetically. “Never mind dear”.
9:02 "The moment my father clapped eyes on me, he decided to go on as though nothing unpleasant had happened." Lolol
That world in action music gave me chills as a kid, still does, that team and panorama made some real kick ass gritty documentaries👏🏻👍👍
What a beautiful human being. Such honesty.
'Don't try and keep up with the Joneses,drag them down to your level-It's a lot cheaper' One of my favourite Crisp quotes.
nice! I didn't know that one.
It was so lovely to be able to watch this again after more than 50 years.
I am blown away at how wonderfully eloquent he is!!
Intelligent, compassionate and totally unique.
The World is a much better place for having had Quentin Crisp in it.
He should have been given an honour from the Late Queen.
Quentin Crisp was much more than an old queen - he was a trailblazer. A blazing comet through a dark and often hostile night sky.
I met Quentin in the 90’s. He was one of the best beautiful human beings ever made. I still miss him, the world is a sad place without him.
Beautiful and intelligently made television from an age when chasing ratings wasn't the be all and end all, and thumbnails and algorithms had yet to be invented. Quentin himself is on sublime form here - casually throwing out wisdom in a way that would make many professional philosophers jealous.
The bravery of this man - to stand in his authenticity. So ahead of his time!
Wise and funny, too.
Thank you Mr Crisp for being so kind to many, who never deserved the joy of this life to be theirs.
I saw him in his one man show when he was quite old, his philosophy became irrational as he got older. Here he is wonderful. A beautiful, wonderful man.
I've seen videos of him shortly before he died even, he spoke a little more slowly perhaps but was as lucid and luminous as ever.
John Hurt was amazing as Quentin Crisp. Such a wonderful actor. I hope Quentin was happy that such an esteemed actor portrayed him with such love and compassion for what many people thought of as a sin . As for the dust I have used that sentence many times about the dust not getting any worse after 4 years . I think Miss Haversham would have been in agreement with that !!!
He always said that John Hurt was “ my Representative on Earth” :)
I attended his 1 man show in the West village in NYC. I asked a question about bullying during the Q&A part of the show. What a great show!!!. RIP Quentin.😪