Staircase

Director: Stanley Donen Stanley Donen

Overview

Homosexuality is only incidentally important in this drama of dependence and intimacy between two aging hair stylists, and nothing shocking to staid and heterosexual sensibilities takes place in this movie, a star turn for Richard Burton and Rex Harrison. Whether the original play was as patently offensive to actual homosexuals as this movie is, is open to question. What is certain is that it grossly exaggerates every unpleasant "fag" stereotype in the books, However, the lead actors skillfully make art out of these very same offensive tics, demonstrating the mysterious power of great performers to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. In the story, Charlie (Harrison) and Harry (Burton) have been roommates, business partners and intimates for many long years, and their convoluted mutual dependency is every bit as complicated as that between any aged but incompatible couple who have grown used to one another over the years. Charlie thinks he can do without Harry, but Harry knows better and patiently bears the barbs and arrows that come his way. One of the nicer aspects of the stereotypical portrayal is that both men get to demonstrate some beautifully sharp, barbed wit.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/23/2013
UPC:	0024543878445
Original Release:	1969
Rating:	NR
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[monaural]
Language:	English
Time:	1:38:00
Sales rank:	29,580

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Rex Harrison	Charlie
Richard Burton	Harry
Cathleen Nesbitt	Harry's Mother
Beatrix Lehmann	Charlie's Mother
Stephen Lewis	Jack
Neil Wilson	Policeman
Gordon Heath	Postman
Avril Angers	Miss Ricard
Shelagh Fraser	Cub Mistress
Gwen Nelson	Matron
Pat Heywood	Nurse
Dermot Kelly	Gravedigger
Jake Kavanagh	Choirboy
Rogers and Starr	Drag Singers

Technical Credits

Stanley Donen

Producer,Director

Editorial Reviews

Director Stanley Donen initially agreed to direct the film version of Staircase on the assumption that Paul Scofield, star of the original stage version, would repeat his acclaimed performance on screen. He proceeded with misgivings after Scofield pulled out, and he was correct to worry. Although Rex Harrison and Richard Burton turn in respectable performances, neither one seems totally comfortable in his role, and there's often an element of self-conscious commentary from each about the role he is playing. Donen's direction is okay; he does display some lovely sensitive touches when allowed to be the screenplay. Although the dialogue often bristles with nicely-turned phrases, witty observations and well-aimed verbal thrusts-and-parries, the extremely dated portrayal of homosexuality actively works against a viewer's enjoyment. The material often calls upon the actors to traffic in unacceptable stereotypes, such as the mincing queen or the self-loathing homosexual. There's nothing that says that a character cannot exhibit some of these characteristics and still be real, but the filmmakers have not risen to that challenge in this instance. Still, if one can get beyond the stereotypes, one can find some insightful and interesting moments. Cathleen Nesbitt is also good in a minor role, and actor Dudley Moore's score is attractive. Burton would follow Staircase with Villain, in which he again portrayed a homosexual.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler