Joe Orton Documentary.

Documentary on the playwright Joe Orton who was murdered by his boyfriend Kenneth Halliwell in 1967. Joes plays include Loot ,Entertaining Mr Sloane , Ruffian on the stair.

[@1800astra]

If I didn't know these two actually existed and did the things they did, I'd have said that this was a spoof mockumentary in the vein of Python's Piranha Brothers. The cast is so mannered and preposterous that even as they're speaking their words it sounds like lines of comedy dialogue. "Our book stock, of which we were very proud, was being attacked by predators", "If I remember correctly, it was Easter Thursday, just before Good Friday". Genius! Very entertaining documentary, and thanks for the upload.

[@ZootBurger]

Excellent documentary! Thanks for the upload.

[@prudencejuris4608]

21:35 Dirty old man lol

[@charlesrae3793]

Leonie is a treasure! I love hearing her talk about Joe.

[@clearlake3492]

I love the observations of droll librarian Jim Connell. His deadpan delivery really extracted the maximum humour out of Orton and Halliwell's prank.

[@debhurd8898]

The Great Tudors picture replacements were absolutely hilarious! OMG!!! LOL

[@clearlake3492]

@@debhurd8898 What is probably the most amazing part of the story is that Orton and Halliwell got six months in jail for their little escapade. Astonishing!

[@mrdbaker2ubaker182]

BBC when it was good

[@porthrepta]

There are decent British movie versions of Loot (with Richard Attenborough) and Entertaining Mr Sloane (with Peter McEnery and Beryl Reid). They work because they are small-scale, with an intimate feel - Hollywood might well try to scale them up, and that would indeed ruin them.

[@MrsOveralls]

Thank You

[@degsbabe]

I remember watching 'Entertaining Mr Sloane' on tv years ago ,I don't believe its been on since. It seemed totally new and original with some very funny dialogue.When Beryl Reid asks 'Do I really disgust you?'. Sloane replys 'you 'orrify me!'. Or Harry Andrews asks 'fond of swimming are you?'. 'Oh, I like a PLUNGE now and then'. Very tragic end though to a very promising career. £100K contract with the beatles looming - the guy was on his way! Hope you enjoy the comment and...'have a good sh!t whilst you're reading it !'. LOL

[@maxinemckenzie6076]

Such an Excellent Film "Entertaining Mr Sloane". Love it so much. R.I.P Joe.

[@douglasmilton2805]

I was lucky enough to see the Royal Court production - Beryl Reid, Ronald Fraser, and Malcom McDowell as Sloane. Uproarious night, each actor at the top of their game. And me only twelve (accompanied by bohemian aunt)!

[@Jeanne7774]

Thanks, really enjoyed this. I want to read the biography. I was brought to it through seeing the hilarious movie Prick Up Your Ears which is spot-on accurate even down to the collages on the wall in the room in Islington. Joe's character was played by Gary Oldman, and Alfred Molina played Kenneth.

[@michaelmcginley7930]

Great biography by John lahr..loved the introduction by Edna Welthorphe..who is sadly no longer with us

[@maxinemckenzie6076]

Great to see the surrealist collage/ cut-ups they got nicked for. Hilarious, such an improvement.

[@elliemccarthy3487]

Adore JO sister , obviously heartbroken with grief

[@elliemccarthy3487]

How pompous so many of these people are , no wonder joe orton created such brilliant dialogue ... so typical of our country , the upper class , those wanting to be upper class , I adore his sister , she is equally intelligent

[@johnbarry1965]

Joe Orton was to Theatre in the 60's what The Sex Pistols were to music in the 70's!!!!!

[@AJLangford]

Really enjoyed it - thank you - Kenneth was great to listen (sad the way he ended too), as was his sister, who was quite emotional i thought. Joe's best work was no doubt ahead of him... stolen.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Good God, those library book covers are absolutely hilarious, made all the funnier by the descriptions given by Jim Connell. Pity they missed out the infamous "F*cked By Monty" HA! To think that you could get six months in jail for this Tom foolery. I hope the book covers are safely ensconced in the National Library Archives.

[@debhurd8898]

I read they are in the library that's in their neighborhood. Too freaking funny.

[@MrLetmein2011]

Wonderful documentary , when was it made?

[@tamesidefilming4650]

❤

[@Guedingen]

Thanks. Ends a bit abruptly.

[@elliemccarthy3487]

Peter Willis was v cruel to KH watch a more recent documentary, KH pretended to be joe orton & peter Willis “ Kenneth must not come , he’s horrendous “ PW didn’t just say Kenneth is not unwell , he really insulted KH

[@ketmaniac]

1982

[@sainte3443]

John Lahr looks so much like his father, Bert

[@mrsarcastic5331]

Edna Wellthorpe letters sounds very Monty Python.

[@janethayes5941]

Arena is the best show.

[@joemaxfield6978]

Bricktop! The one and only!

[@gedq]

Prick up your ears is a magnificent book, but the film left me thinking that Bennett didn't particularly like Orton.

[@nanettemorton4054]

He didn't.

[@bingola45]

@@nanettemorton4054 Not many people did. Not ones who knew him.