User reviews

Playful, occasionally moving, often funny comedy about a gay hairstylist and his lover/business partner living in London, an aging couple going on 30 years together who each jab at the others' ego like two bitchy woodpeckers--but who consistently lean on each other (and feed off each other) like two halves of the same person. Richard Burton and Rex Harrison were reportedly unhappy making this film, but they do manage to get a rhythm going that is rather infectious. Charles Dyer adapted his own "intimate" British play--and was probably reeling once his quaint, humble material got blown up on the big screen with major stars--yet his theatrical and literary pretensions are worked out charmingly, and some of his lines get big laughs. There are times when Burton seems more apt to go the distance personally with his character than Harrison is; then, in the very next scene, they flip and it's Harrison who takes off. The "plot" doesn't amount to much (Harrison's Charlie must attend court after being caught in lascivious garb at the same moment his estranged daughter is planning a visit), but to director Stanley Donen's credit the focus of the piece seldom wavers--we never even meet the daughter, which in this case is a blessing. The gay text is not handled madly or foolishly; Donen pairs the scenes down to quick, efficient little episodes, and this keeps the pacing brisk and gives the lead performances a nice edge (we never tire of them). Much ballyhoo was made over two heterosexual stars "camping it up" on screen, but I saw very little swishing. Dyer gets a few dramatic moments perfectly right, and he's written some good lines (such as when Harrison tells Burton, "I need someone new now and then"). The finer sequences are not trampled on by Donen, nor by his editor. "Staircase" is pithy and beguiling and should resonate with audiences who don't mind a tentative mix of sassy humor, self-pity, impatient wisecracks, and a tearing down of vanity. **1/2 from ****

When I think of how hard it is even now to cast heterosexual men in gay roles just the fact that Richard Burton and Rex Harrison consented to play gay in Staircase might make this a landmark film of some note. But a lot of the ground covered in Staircase was far better done in Boys In The Band a much better work. Charles Dyer's play only ran 61 performances on Broadway even with Milo O'Shea and Eli Wallach in the roles that Burton and Harrison do.

Two of the most aggressively heterosexual men in the history of film star as a pair aging hairdressers who live together over their shop where Burton's mother whom he takes care of. These two are sadly aware that youth trumps all in the gay male culture. Burton's taking it far worse because he's grown bald and is afraid to show his new Kojak like looks. He goes nearly the entire film with some kind of skullcap that makes him look like a conehead who met with an accident.

Dyer himself expanded his two person show to include some small speaking parts. Cathleen Nesbitt is Burton's mom and she's a bedridden old crank that Burton is tied to. None of the others have any great speaking roles. Some blond trick Harrison picks up is involved in an extended scene with Burton, Harrison, and Nesbitt, but he has as much dialog as one of those extra Bowery Boys.

Boys In The Band has it way over Staircase other than actor's salaries.

Burton and Harrison mince, preen, prance, and flounce about the screen in a horrendous display of bad acting. This movie would set gay rights back a century if it weren't so badly made and badly dated. One must wonder what made it a hit on Broadway at the time. The score is an especially abysmal atrocity by Dudley Moore. All those involved (especially Donen) should be ashamed.

I don't know what movie the other reviewers were watching, or why they are so bitter. I agree completely with the contemporaneous reviews, which praised the movie highly. Two fine actors spend the entire movie, out of their normal characters, showing off to each other and producing a gem as a result. The contrast between Burton's prissy old woman and Harrison's aging swish -- that so embarrassed the Burton character -- was wonderfully portrayed. Yet they managed to demonstrate that querulous yet enduring relationship that often results between an aging couple that experience each other's foibles, constantly express annoyance at them, and yet have too much basic affection to part. This is a marvelous movie, and I regret that I can't find it on video to share with others.

Maybe it's that I'm not gay that allows me to appreciate the fine craft it exhibits, since it doesn't threaten me personally.

"Staircase" is the story of two gay men who live together and operate a hair salon. Back in 1969, most folks were not favorably disposed towards homosexuals. They were either ignored or ridiculed. In a few cases, like "Staircase" they were lampooned. So, if most people didn't like homosexuals or feared them, they certainly would NOT have been likely to see this film. And, as far as the gay community goes, some might enjoy the movie...but some would just as soon be offended since the film presents the two leads as extremely stereotypical...so much so they are caricatures of a gay couple. Oddly, however, the studio actually THOUGHT they had a good movie...one that could even be an Oscar contender!! It makes you wonder what Darryl Zanuck was thinking....or if he was even thinking at all!! The story originally was a play in London and the playwright also wrote the screenplay for this movie. I could see the play working in front of small audiences...but as a bit studio release???!! You've got to be kidding!

Now the problem with selling the movie wasn't just because it was about homosexuals. After all, a few years later "La Cage Aux Follies" went on to be a big hit. But the difference was that the two gay characters LIKED and even LOVED each other in this French film. Instead, Harry (Richard Burton) and Charlie (Rex Harrison) do NOTHING but trade bitchy barbs with each other....really nasty, caustic things. And, this is supposed to be what constitutes the comedy in the film...as well as some incredibly cringe-inducing creepy scenes with Harry and his mother (especially when he undresses and dresses her).

Overall, this is a painful, tedious and completely unfunny. It's sure to offend many (both on the left AND right) but more than being offensive, it's just not enjoyable nor does it really have much to say other than "let's laugh at the two homosexuals". A sad, sad waste of two talented actors.

By the way, although this is a bad film, its musical score was interesting because it was composed by Dudley Moore!

The two leads supposedly hated playing their roles, and it shows. Burton isn't bad, but Harrison is just awful. Toward the end when he does his "not alone, not alone" speech, it's just hollow words. But we have to remember the time it was made. Boys in the Band, like this film, also sends the message that gay people hate themselves and their lives. I have to laugh at the guy above who wrote that he's not gay, so he likes the movie because it doesn't threaten him. How pompous! I AM gay, and the movie doesn't threaten me at all. A bad film is a bad film, no matter what the subject matter; and this is a baaaaad film! Also the scene in the park where Harrison is checking out kids playing sends that old "gay people will threaten your innocent children" message. And how about that old ugly "hustler" in the blonde wig that Harrison picks up! Were we meant to believe he was a young guy? Also the idea of Burton wearing a surgical bandage all the time to cover his baldness was ridiculous. There WERE realistic toupees even then. As I said, NOTHING rings true.

I can see why this might have been disappointing from a 1969 perspective, especially if it was the first relatively mainstream gay couple movie. They behave like an old embittered married couple, hardly promoting the concept of gay relationship harmony. If you're gay, you may have hoped for people with more obvious emotional strength and dignity, to start things off.

But from this end, nearly 40 years later, there's a great deal to admire. Most of us can see them as just people, yes, suffering the issues of the day in certain respects, but otherwise going through the same relationship struggles experienced by any two people who've been together for a very long time.

With only a few mild changes, this movie could be set today, because it's confronting the aging process, a somewhat unequal relationship, the problem of elderly parents—just plain real life stuff told with pathos and humor.

As to the swishiness of either character, say all you want about the womanizing ways of these two actors, they both swished and preened through many of their other previous roles as well. It was enhanced in this movie, but not unnaturally so. There's now enough water under the bridge for us to understand this isn't the Singular Gay Trait, but it certainly does exist, and it's not necessarily the evidence for self-loathing by these two characters. Anyone can have doubts about themselves, and most of us do, in one way or another.

It's not a great movie, because it moves in fits and spurts and there are moments that seem a little emotionally vacant. But it's a decent movie because the characters are believable and you do grow to care for and about them.

The two homosexual hairdressers in Charles Dyer's play were created here by Paul Schofield and Patrick Magee and then played on Broadway by Eli Wallach and Milo O'Shea. Excellent actors all but with a view to box office receipts Rex Harrison and Richard Burton were cast in this version directed by Stanley Donen.

In his autobiography Harrison admits that he and Burton agreed to do it only if the other one would. At the time their decision to take on these roles might have seemed both challenging and courageous but in retrospect it was both ill-judged and ill-advised.

The film itself is simply lamentable and the characters of Charles and Harry verge on caricature. Despite their seven-figure salaries both actors must have rued the day they got involved in this sorry enterprise. It's critical mauling and commercial failure must surely have been a bitter disappointment to Dyer himself.

In spite of all the negative issues surrounding the film, it does have a couple redeeming qualities; if you listen very closely, there is some very clever, naughty, wordplay, hidden in the brit accents. And extra credit to donen, harrison, and burton for even having the guts to make it, in spite of the treatment of gays and gay couples at the time. The 1970 version of boys in the band portrayed them as pretty miserable too. I think all the bickering and insults were pretty indicative of any couple that had been together all those years, and were getting on each other's nerves.

Stupefyingly miscast, Rex Harrison and Richard Burton attempt to act queeny in a pointless, depressing film about two aging gay men in 1969 England. For Christ's sake, they're both HAIRDRESSERS. That tells you everything you need to know about all the imagination and work that went into this film. Richard Burton is completely and utterly unconvincing as a gay man, and Rex Harrison seems absolutely lost, constantly squinting off into the distance as if he was looking for Eliza Doolittle, or at least a decent Pushmi-Pullyu. This movie is so thoroughly bad that it isn't even good for humor value. It oozes homophobia from every rotten frame, and the main message it seems to have is that homosexuals are loathsome people and should loathe themselves, in public, out loud, as often as possible, while prancing about with bad hairstyles. Watching Harrison and Burton play gay men will give any modern viewer the same sick cringing feeling you get from watching Stepin Fetchit say "Yassuh, Boss!" in old 40's movies. THIS MOVIE SHOULD BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS. IF GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN SUICIDE OR THIS MOVIE, CHOOSE SUICIDE.

I have searched for this film for years. I am updating my comment of 2003.

My opinion of this film has not changed, I still love it & want to purchase a copy.

I want to say that with the added years & the experience of learning about human beings, this film is a masterpiece of reality done so well by two of the greatest & most highly regarded actors of our time.

I cannot comprehend any negative views about this story or the portrayal of it. This is LIFE!

I am not gay, nor am I judgmental. I am an 72 year old greatgrandmother of 16 with an open mind!

Sirs Rex Harrison and Richard Burton must be one of the original odd couples on screen, coming out at about the same time as that of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, but with a freer, more open approach to homosexuality.

Both Randy Rex and Rompin' Richard developed phenomenal womanizer reputations in their private lives, logging up just about every actress they worked with, from Vivien Leigh to Claire Bloom to Liz and Carole )who even committed suicide over Rex), and we will never know even the tenth of those shenanigans.

Thus, the greater those Sirs' courage in portraying a gay couple at a time when gays were maligned, scorned, and rejected both sociologically and religiously. And the greater their merit to pull off such convincing relationship routines and touches, always with a sense of humor pervading their alternately affectionate or barbed remarks to each other.

Nearly 60 years on and at a time when films about homosexual ties were box office poison, STAIRCASE sensitively depicts behavioral traits and social responses in a closeted world.

These days the gay community is spreading, coming out of the woodwork, and one sees more and more of their representatives in high positions, where they can get more of their own gainfully employed, thereby staking an ever stronger position in society.

Whether that will make for a better future for mankind, God only knows, but meanwhile I enjoyed this perceptive movie. 7/10.

Finally caught this curio the other night on TCM. What a dreadful, depressing mess. I know it was a play, but what were the producers thinking? That anyone would flock to this depressing, repetitive bitchfest? Worth seeing only for the curiosity factor of Rex Harrison and Richard Burton playing 2 middle aged queens living together and hating each other in some London slum (though filmed in Paris) There is not one witty line or any sense of affection or reason why these 2 bitter losers stayed together for so long. The film goes nowhere. Nothing but arguments and constant bickering. Harrison gets a court notice for doing drag, but the movie ends before they ever get to court. A meeting with his adult daughter is brought up, but that plot point is dropped also. Burton does bring some dignity to his role and I think came off better than Harrison. The low point comes when Harrison picks up and brings home some ugly, aging prostitute. Kudos to Kathleen Nesbitt who scores in a degrading part as Burton's bedridden mother. Hard to believe Stanly Donen directed this bore. This has to be the nadir of his career. Any young gay person seeing this in 1969 would've been driven to thoughts of suicide (this is what's in store for me?) had they taken this story seriously. Thankfully few people paid to see it. Giving it a three, only because of the weird casting. Good luck if you can sit through it till the end!

Apparently, this is the inspiration for the sitcom "Vicious" with Ian McKellen and Derrek Jacobi, (incidentally a great tongue-in-cheek piece of comedy.)

As a gay man, Myself. I would just like to ask aloud, who are all the negative reviews from? Are people offended on the gay folks' behalf? Or trying to correct a perceived wrong?!. Just a thought.

All I see is a couple that's been together too long exaggerated for comedy. We all know that couple. Good camp fun.

A gay couple (Rex Harrison and Richard Burton) in 1960s England. Burton is a hairdresser (of course) and Harrison is an actor. They complain nonstop, tear each other apart verbally, dress horribly, hate their mothers and are depressed and full of self-loathing.

I suppose this was revolutionary in 1969 but it's horribly offensive today. The movie was subtitled "A sad gay story". The script is dull, the film looks horrible and the actors...Harrison minces around and preens so much I got very angry--a sick, disgraceful performance. I heard he wasn't too proud of it either. Burton is actually OK--he brings some dignity to his role. But this film is a total waste of time. It just shows gay men as being pathetic lonely creatures and is very condescending. Offensiveness aside it's sleep-inducing--I kept dozing off! Sick, depressing, homophobic...there's no reason to see this. Makes "Boys in the Band" look like a comedy.

Dudley Moore did the music!!!

This movie is a real disaster: insulting, with awfully stereotypical acting and an incredibly poor script that one wonders why this movie has been made for.

If I had seen that movie as a closeted gay teen, I would have been shocked and ashamed. Fortunately I have seen it first as a (by then openly gay) movie-addict in my twenties, so I could dismiss it as only an embarrassingly bad film. Either you just forget about this miserable movie or you take it as a source for filmhistory, namely how bad, how ridiculous, how homophobic so-called comedies sometimes could be in the sixties (alas, there are not that many of this kind...). I'm afraid there's nothing more to say about it.

Creditable and believable performances by the main actors. Hilarious play and screenplay by Charles Dyer. Burton's two movies as a gay lead "Staircase" and "Villain" show his true acting capabilities. The music is composed by actor (not in acting in the film) Sir Dudley Moore. A rare film with a theme song sung on screen before the credits.

It was rather funny watching Rex Harrison, (Charles Dyer) playing the role as a homosexual considering his real role in life as a womanizer who was dating Carole Landis who killed herself. Richard Burton, (Harry Leeds) who was married to Elizabeth Taylor perform as hairdressers and Harry owning the salon called "Chez". Harry Leeds gives a great performance in this role and gives himself and everyone else class in the way he shows his being gay to his lover Charles Dyer and other people. These men sort of love their mothers, but there is a underlying feeling that they are both seeking a deeper relationship when various problems come between their relationship. Missed this picture and was glad I was able to view a classic from 1970.

While the film in general, and actors Burton and Harrison in particular, were an embarrassment to all involved; it was based on the play by Charles Dyer which played in London's West End and on Broadway to great success. The stage version was about 180 degrees removed from the film version. The Broadway production of "Staircase" starred Eli Wallach and Milo O'Shea, and was directed by Barry Morse. Barry Morse said the following about the stage play: "It was one of the first productions to show truthful - but at the same moving and funny - portrayals of gay life. The film version was damaging to the text of the play, which was written in a very perceptive and sensitive way. It wasn't meant to be played as if it was some flagrantly exaggerated review sketch."