

September 14, 1990
1h 23m
EN
Jonathan Nossiter
At age 73, writer and melancholy master of the bon mot, Quentin Crisp (1908-1999), became an Englishman in New York. Nossiter's camera follows Crisp about the streets of Manhattan, where Crisp seems very much at home, wearing eye shadow, appearing on a makeshift stage, making and repeating wry observations, talking to John Hurt (who played Crisp in the autobiographical TV movie, "The Naked Civil Servant"), and dining with friends. Others who know Crisp comment on him, on his life as an openly gay man with an effeminate manner, and on his place in the history of gays' social struggle. The portrait that emerges is of one wit and of suffering.

Quentin Crisp
Self

Peter Walker
The Bum

Gilbert Stafford
Man on Street


Jonathan Nossiter
10
Gus Rogerson
Street Performer

Michaela Murphy
Street Performer

John Sex
Self

Felicity Mason
Dinner Hostess / Writer

Fran Lebowitz
Writer

Guy Kettelhack
Writer

John Hurt
Self - Actor
Crisp City Productions
N/A