Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (2006)

Actors: Peter Wight (actor), Nicholas Parsons (actor), Terry Wogan (actor), Kenneth Williams (writer), Kenneth Williams (actor), Michael Sheen (actor), Michael Parkinson (actor), Ron Cook (actor), Richard Fell (producer), Martin Trenaman (actor), Penny Dyer (miscellaneous crew), Guy Henry (actor), Stephen O'Connell (editor), Roy Holder (actor), Shaughan Seymour (actor),

Plot: Finicky,hygiene-obsessed comic actor Kenneth Williams,living in a flat block with mutually adoring mother Louie,looks back on his life. At loggerheads with his homophobic father over his career Kenny fulfils his dream of becoming a classical actor but is spun off into comedy,allowing full rein to his crowd-pleasing array of funny voices. A compulsive,often selfish performer off-screen,he becomes a national treasure following the radio show 'Round the Horne' and the successful series of film farces 'Carry On'... though he is disdainful of the latter,given that he once trod the boards with Orson Welles. Privately he is a tormented closet gay,sickened by his sexuality,unlike his friend,promiscuous playwright Joe Orton,and desperately asks his 'Carry On' co-star Joan Sims for a show marriage,which she refuses. Ultimately Louie's death,his own hypochondria,a down turn in work and a sense of his own isolation will result in a fatal encounter with a bottle of tablets in 1988.

Keywords: camp, carry-on, celibacy, diary, film-premiere, flasher, homosexuality, ill-health, male-full-frontal-nudity, male-nudity
Genres: Biography, Comedy, Drama,

Prick Up Your Ears (1987)

Actors: Frances Barber (actress), Vanessa Redgrave (actress), Richard Wilson (actor), Wallace Shawn (actor), Steven Mackintosh (actor), Lindsay Duncan (actress), Alfred Molina (actor), Sean Pertwee (actor), David Bradley (actor), Neville Phillips (actor), Derek Jarman (actor), Roger Lloyd-Pack (actor), Gary Oldman (actor), Alan Bennett (writer), Julie Walters (actress),

Plot: This film is the story of the spectacular life and violent death of British playwright Joe Orton. In his teens, Orton is befriended by the older, more reserved Kenneth Halliwell, and while the two begin a relationship, it's fairly obvious that it's not all about sex. Orton loves the dangers of bath-houses and liaisons in public restrooms; Halliwell, not as charming or attractive as Orton, doesn't fare so well in those environs. While both long to become writers, it is Orton who achieves fame - his plays "Entertaining Mr. Sloane" and "Loot" become huge hits in London of the sixties, and he's even commissioned to write a screenplay for the Beatles. But Orton's success takes him farther from Halliwell, whose response ended both his life and the life of the up-and-coming playwright.

Keywords: 1950s, 1960s, acting, acting-class, actor, actress, agent, air-freshener, anal-sex, art-gallery
Genres: Biography, Drama,
Taglines: They shared everything - except success.

Quotes:

Peggy Ramsay: Ken was the first wife. He did all the work and the waiting and then...::John Lahr: Well, first wives don't usually beat their husbands' heads in.::Peggy Ramsay: No. Though why I can't think.::John Lahr: So what does that make you? The second wife?::Peggy Ramsay: Better than that, dear. The widow.

Joe Orton: I always wanted to be an orphan. I could have, if it wasn't for my parents.

Kenneth Halliwell: The whole point about irrational behavior is that it IS irrational!

Kenneth Halliwell: Can you spell?::Joe Orton: Yes, but not accurately.

Leonie Orton: [Mingling Joe's and Ken's ashes] I think I'm putting in more of Joe than I am of Kenneth.::Peggy Ramsay: It's a gesture dear, not a recipe.

Kenneth Halliwell: Do you want the sardines with the rice pudding or separate?::Joe Orton: With.

Kenneth Halliwell: I can't remember when you last touched my cock. Well, I can actually. It was about two years ago. Only I can't remember the actual date. Pity. I could have put it in my diary. "The last time Joe touched my cock. Grouse shooting begins"

Kenneth Halliwell: [preparing to dictate an offensive letter] Seat yourself at our trusty Remington, John, and we shall piss on this person from a great height.

[Halliwell puts his hand on Orton's leg. Orton brushes it off]::Joe Orton: No. Have a wank.::Kenneth Halliwell: Have a wank? Have a wank? I can't just have a wank. I need three days' notice to have a wank. You can just stand there and do it. Me, it's like organizing D-Day. Forces have to be assembled, magazines bought, the past dredged for some suitably unsavoury episode, the dog-eared thought of which can still produce a faint flicker of desire! Have a wank, it'd be easier to raise the Titanic.

Kenneth Halliwell: I just want to go to the awards! I could! Look, "Joe Orton and guest." I'd behave. I wouldn't say a word, I promise.::Joe Orton: No.::Kenneth Halliwell: Why?::Joe Orton: Because it's for me. I wrote it.::Kenneth Halliwell: I gave you the title.::Joe Orton: Okay, so when they have awards for titles, you can go to that.