Sunday, January 20, 2008

Out Spotlight IX








This week's Out Spotlight will focus on Quentin Crisp, author, actor, artist's model, raconteur, prostitute, dinner guest, and gay icon. Crisp was gay before there was gay culture and he was never in the closet. Crisp dressed femininely and in outlandish costumes from the time he was very young. He frequented the rough neighborhoods of London and held his own. He lived in a flat in London for 40 years and said he never cleaned it once, and that the dirt didn't get any worse after the first 4 years. Crisp wrote a book about his experiences called The Naked Civil Servant, which was made into a successful movie with John Hurt. (I highly recommend this movie; Hurt is spectacular!) The title refers to Crisp's experiences as an artist's model. He said it was like being a civil servant except you're naked.

Crisp moved to New York in the early '80s and did a series of one-man shows recounting his life. Crisp always had his phone number listed and said he felt it was his duty to talk to anyone who called. He often answered the phone with, "Yes, God?" (Just in case, he said.) He also accepted dinner invitations from almost anyone who asked. Crisp lived in the Chelsea Hotel through both a fire and the murder of Nancy Spungen (girlfriend of punk rocker Sid Vicious).

Crisp was in several movies, most famously playing Elizabeth I in Orlando (yet another reason to see it!). He was one of many people interviewed for the documentary The Celluloid Closet. Crisp once said he would live to 100, with 10 years off for good behavior, and in 1999 he died at the age of 90.

"I have always lived my life in the profession of being."- Quentin Crisp










Quentin Crisp in 1941.















Quentin Crisp in later years.


Quentin Crisp's website- http://www.crisperanto.org/

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

ITV cues up Naked Civil Servant sequel

January 11 2008

ITV is to broadcast a follow-up to The Naked Civil Servant, its acclaimed 1970s drama based on the life of the late Quentin Crisp, with John Hurt expected to reprise his role as the maverick gay writer.

Based on recollections by Crisp and his friends of his life New York in the 1980s and 1990s, the drama will be shot in the spring, with transmission expected to take place in the autumn on ITV1.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/11/itv.television?gusrc=rss&feed=media

Anonymous said...

Quinton Crisp, the true embodiment of the Bard's immortal words -

"To thine ownself be true"

May we all strive to follow his unapologetic for being human example.

Music Luvah said...

This is a wonderful Out Spotlight today. I remember Quentin Crisp in his later years, and how he was always himself, unapologetically as the poster writes above. And that is beautiful. I love his outlook on life that you've written above. What an elegant photo of him from 1941. I'm still trying to figure out how I ever missed Orlando!, and definitely want to see The Naked Civil Servant.. I've always loved this song too! :*

Florida Tom said...

Its gonna be a cold day in Foxboro and Green Bay. I quess we should expect low scoring games but with Favre and Brady, Who knows?

I wonder if J and r will watch the games together and if Jake will keep his eye on that cute GQ/QB. It might remind him of somebody.

Florida Tom said...

You know whats sad. It is sad to think that Jake may have bought Austin his bike and that they cant even ride together. That is awful and breaks my heart.

Anonymous said...

Tom, your bike comment is sad, but you don't know that they're not cycling around together just now, they're just not getting photographed doing it. Maybe one of the only benefits of Reeke is that it provides Jake with the cover to be out and about with other (more important people) without being bothered.

Anonymous said...

Tom, don't get your heart in a knot. If Jake went into the bearding game he sure did it for his own good reasons, trust, and as ever optimistic said, he is probably out biking with Austin more that you'll ever get to know. And that is by choice.

Anonymous said...

I saw Quentin from a bus once, in Chelsea (London)- how amazing there's going to be a film of his later life.

Two musts, NETB - Naked Civil Servant and Orlando.

Tom, don't fret, there's a ton of things no-one sees, of that I'm convinced. We might not even like all of them :)

Music Luvah said...

Tom, don't fret, there's a ton of things no-one sees, of that I'm convinced. We might not even like all of them :)

I believe this sincerely, guys.

Correction to my earlier post: I love Quentin Crisp's outlook on life, both from the posts and from the Out Spotlight bio. I checked out the website too and some of his quotes - what a remarkable individual. I definitely will check out those two films, London.

Wicked said...

Who'sthat, I am so excited to hear about another Crisp film with John Hurt playing him! That is great news.

You think Jake is rooting for the Patriots because their QB reminds him of somebody?

Special K said...

Checking in before the game.

I bet you Jake is rooting for the Pats for just that reason.

Go Pats!!

frenchy said...

Crisp wrote a book about his experiences called The Naked Civil Servant, which was made into a successful movie with John Hurt. (I highly recommend this movie; Hurt is spectacular!)

Oh my... I haven't seen that movie in ages! I remember watching it for the very first time a very long time ago, very late at night, on a very small and very old TV set, in a very French-dubbed version... but God, what a superb performance by John Hurt! I don't know why but I particulary remember the audition scenes when Crisp pretends to be waiting for the bus and then morphs into a very tragic "Jesus on the Cross", lol!

I'm really happy Hurt is reprising that role. We certainly need an actor of his caliber to do justice to such a flamboyant character. I wonder if he'll watch the first film as preparation. I once read that he hated to watch himself on screen and that he never did it. That's gonna be a very interesting project to watch. :)

Thanks for another great Out Spotlight Wicked!

Anonymous said...

In case you didn't see it - cute behind the scenes picture.

Austin Nichols Journal - How to avoid paparazzi?

http://spooky2th.livejournal.com/31109.html

Anonymous said...

Spesh 2:45, I'm there with ya! Go Pats 7-3 right now. Hope to see them here in PHX in two weeks. Unfortunately, Jake won't be able to see the game as he's travelling back to NM from CA as we speak.

Special K said...

Woo hoo Tom and the boys are heading to Phoenix! Congratulations Patriots! AFC Champions. On to the Superbowl!

Anonymous said...

Lotsa block parties, events planned here in the Valley of the Sun! Welcome Pats!

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, Jake won't be able to see the game as he's travelling back to NM from CA as we speak.

How do you know that?

Wicked said...

Been sitting here watching football this afternoon. Congrats to the Patriots! I'm still hoping for a Packers win in the NFC. I actually saw Packers' QB Brett Favre play the Eagles in Philly a few years ago! (Eagles won!)

I wonder if either Jake or Austin is an NFL fan. We know they like basketball, and they both seem to like college football, but I don't think I've ever heard either one say they like the pro game.

Wicked said...

Day-um! Congrats to the Giants! I never thought they could do it. Go little brother Eli!

Anonymous said...

Woohoo...lets go Giants!!!!

Anonymous said...

BTW, there are photos of Gyllenspoon (gag) giving money to a homeless woman this morning--and this moment was conveniently captured by FLYNET! (Who else?). Aren't they just saintly and perfect? Totally unstaged. (It's on justjared.com).

Anonymous said...

Saw the new pics on Just Jared. As usual, distance between them. Like friends rather than lovers. Isn't Reese supposed to be a churchgoer. She's not dressed up at all. I am wondering if Austin will go to Brad's funeral this week.

Anonymous said...

I agree, M, more like friends. No chemistry in those pics at all. Not any. Not that I want any. But its hard to see how they would be so "in love" like the Gyllenspooners say they are. Hell, they already look married and bored with each other. Probably don't even talk to each other at the table anymore, just sit, stare and eat.

Anonymous said...

Do any of you remember the Demi Moore/Ashton Kutcher pics before they were married? They were ALL over each other and crackling with chemistry.

Anonymous said...

Reese, Jake and FLYNET! what a gorgeous threesome!
Friends?? hell, when I'm with my friends I look more animated than that! more like 2 people whose management have told them get out there, it's time for a pic!

Anonymous said...

Well, Ted did make a statement about Jake's true domestic situation on Friday--so we knew that a Gyllenspoon pic was coming this weekend.

Anonymous said...

Just wondering people started talking about B Tile and we get something to distract maybe??

Anonymous said...

Looks like Ryan took Ava to skating this weekend. I wonder if the paparazzi made it inside the rink?

http://celebritybabies.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/01/20/rphillippe012008_01_cbb.jpg

Next week's tabloid story:

"Daddy Jake says we shouldn't eat fast food"

Anonymous said...

The pics are the same as usual, two people walking at a distance from each other. Mothing new. Just the usual business. I hope it won't start another flurry of Reeke comments, it really doesn't warrant it.
One thing though I am not sure why some poeple keep comparing Jake/Reese to Ashton/Demi? Reese is just like 4/5 years older than Jake, this wouldn't be a big deal would it, per se? And Demi Ashton isn't either, if a 50 year old man can marry a 20 something, I don't see what's the issue with Demi/Ashton, which I am pretty sure are really into each other, or are you saying it isn't the case?

Anonymous said...

gossip girl, absolutely right. So predictable too.

Anonymous said...

A few observations 'bout the pics -

1) Once again, he preceeds her out the door. Not a very gentlemanly gesture for his supposed lady love.

2) Not one pic of his smile. We g get a glimpse of a mild grin, but nothing like his ten mile wide variety. Spending time with that special someone should make him beam. Neither is Reese, for that matter. Guess the service sucked.

3) What kind a establishment are they patronizing that allows homeless people to crouch in the doorway? Where is this resturant? (Not that the woman Reese hands money to looks like the homeless scratching out an existence on the streets of my city, but perhaps LA has a higher class of destitute)

4) They obviously arrived in different vehicles, for both are carrying separate sets of keys, (Reese is fishing for hers, and Jake has his already in his hand - anxious to leave, perhaps? - the same blue rectangluar thingee we last saw in the MO pics) The last pic shows Jake heading another way from Reese, with no goodbye kiss, no see you later hug, not even a hollered parting shot, nothing at all to indicate any sense of togetherness, or the saddness of a couple's impending separation.

5) Boy, they sure do go out to b'fast alot, which seems odd. If they were as close to marriage and committment as the tabloids crow, they would be spending their mornings around the kitchen table at home luxuriating in domestic bliss, or better yet, serving each other b'fast in bed. Of course, flynet couldn't photograph them then.

6) Must say that it's wonderful to see Jake unlumberjacked for a change, though he still looks like a schlubb. (And wearing his chain!) And so does an uncharacteristic Reese. Like they couldn't even be bothered to dress up to chic casual for this photo-op. Looks like neither is trying very hard anymore.

7) After Ted's assurance that Jaustin is still going strong, I figured that Reeke would rear it's ugly head this weekend. Can set my watch by them now.

Anonymous said...

I spy, you are on the money. Totally agree. And that woman ain't homeless, I'll bet my bleached teeth on it. I even left a comment on Flynet saying that it was a total photo op. I'm from LA and the homeless don't carry tote bags. That last pic on flynet, the one with Jake half-smirking says it all to me.

Anonymous said...

The big blue thing in his hand is his phone. I dont know if reese was looking for keys or was trying to grab that money she had at the ready for the "homeless" person who has clean clothes and a red tote bag lol. AND the "homeless" person at 800x mag looks like he/she is wearing a wig (two very separate different colors of hair) and makeup (look at the neck/face shades).

Again the pics make Jake look cheap cuz only Reese is seen handing out $$$ money. LOL. He's too busy schlepping the brown paper bag. Hey maybe the bag had her empty jars of baby food in them (thats what she eats, can you beleive it), for recycling! yeah, Reese is saving the environment! Its all about Reese.

Anonymous said...

Should we officially call them FlyReeke?

Who are Twicked going to use for their photo ops? x17? Spesh, you handy with a camera?

Anonymous said...

Flynet are such evil paps, catching Reese out in an act of completely spontaneous charity giving!

Anonymous said...

Ah, Jake seems to follow Ted religiously. Every time there is a mention of Jake domesticating with someone else than Reese, Flynet has new pictures. It's amaaaazing! How do they catch them everywhere?

Great observations i spy!

Anonymous said...

How about Freeke?

Anonymous said...

I wish both boys would announce new projects. I'm sick of discussing Freeke/Reeke.