STAIRCASE

US, 1969, 101 Minutes, Colour.
Richard Burton. Rex Harrison, Cathleen Nesbitt, Beatrix Lehmann.
Directed by Stanley Donen.

Staircase is the film version of a noted play by Charles Dyer, popular in England and elsewhere at the end of the 60s. It was adapted for the screen, given the colour Panavision treatment and Rex Harrison and Richard Burton persuaded to star in the roles of ageing homosexuals. Director was Stanley Donen, noted for his musicals in the 50s and his sophisticated comedies and thrillers in the 60s.

Rex Harrison gives a very clever performance and Richard Burton gives a more penetrating one. The two work together well but one is very conscious that it is the two stars playing roles. The film was made at a time when the Gay Liberation movement was emerging. It may not be so popular now amongst those favouring homosexual rights because it does highlight the loneliness and pathos of the way of two older men who have lived together and suffer petty jealousies and loneliness. It is very striking that both have mothers who possess them and wield a great influence on them. Perhaps in this way it does present some stereotypes of homosexuals. However as a brittle comedy-melodrama of loneliness it is very effective at times.

1. An interesting film. enjoyable film? Interest in human nature, human relationships? Homosexuals, homosexuality?

2. The quality of the film as a drama. comedy? Its satirical aspects, realistic aspects? The blend? Insight into human nature, homosexuals, the situation of homosexuals in society? A film favourable to homosexuals, offensive?

3. The significance of the title? Its references to Harry's dream and his explanations - indications of theme? The initial song, the credits? Life's staircase and the implications of that image? For Harry and Charlie?

4. The use of Panavision, colour, London and its locations, interiors exteriors? Song, score?

5. The appropriateness of using Richard Burton and Rex Harrison in the central roles? were they convincing? Good acting? Was the audience conscious of the actors themselves and their roles in homosexual portrayals? Did this add to the authenticity of the film or detract from it?

6. Was it evident that the film was based on a play? Dialogue, staging of scenes? Audience response to the plot: Charlie and Harry in their middle-age, the portrayal of their life and the meaning of their life, their relationship to one another, love, possessiveness, jealousy? The mutual giving to one another, the hold over each other, the hurt and the pain? The importance of the mothers and their attitude towards each of them? The court-case and the background of the prosecution of homosexuality, homosexuals and the legal pressure? The parallels to the marriage situation - in theme, dialogue,
visually? Love, fights? Ordinary bickering day by day? The indication of the emotional needs of these men? The fight and the seeming separation, the need for one another and their being together at the end?

7. The film's presuppositions? Did the film contribute to understanding - as a product of the 60s. seen in later decades? Attitudes, compassion, judgements? The presentation of sequences of male attraction, e.g. Charlie bringing his friend home, their looking at the men exercising etc. Their comments on male attraction? Issues of legality, morality, human needs, human relationships? Human rights?

8. The presentation of the characters and their manners, language - their affectations? The presentation of masculine role and behaviour, feminine roles and behaviour? Men taking feminine roles and the repercussions of this? The psychology of the men? The importance of the sequences where Harry discussed physiology? Cleanliness and dirt? His self-consciousness, appearance, his bald head and his keeping it covered, his revelation? Charlie and his dapper attitude? Their work as hairdressers? Their comments on family love, parental roles, the fact that they could not have children? The background of Charlie's marriage and family?

9. The film's portrayal of the mothers and the implications of their attitudes towards their sons and their effect on them? How did each of the mothers reflect their sons? Their reaction - Harry and his mother's perpetual presence, her age, feebleness, ugliness, needing to be fed, changed, cleansed? Harry and his devotion - as well as his exasperation? Charlie's offhand manner towards his mother? Charlie’s mother and her being in the asylum, his visit, the atmosphere of the asylum and madness, her recognition and her verbal condemnation, his grief? His changing his face to meet the world?

10. How did Harry and Charlie reflect each other? In their work, mutual haircuts and shaving, their attitude towards men, complementary Runner? Their interaction, love, care, need, mutual loneliness? Harry and the bike ride, Charlie and bringing the man home, the prospect of the court case?

11. Richard Burton's portrayal of Harry - his appearance, work, soft, domestic, relationship with his mother, his yearnings, vulnerability, his reaction for the bike ride, to Charlie bringing the man home, the blood pressure sequence, his hair and the wig? Insight into a human character?

12. The contrast with Rex Harrison and his more flamboyant style, the television commercial, his daughter. discussion about the drag situation and the dance, the case and the prosecution, his flair, bitchy kind of manner and language, bringing the man home, the bike and the outing, the walking in the park, his reaction to Harry's seeming deaf, his sense of aloneness at the end?

13. What was the audience left with in terms of understanding, compassion?