Joe Orton

[@somewhereeeelolz9983]

Joe must have been so much fun to be around. In his diaries, Kenneth Williams, who was a close friend of Joe, said how kind hearted, intelligent and charming he was. Kenny was shocked and devastated by Joes death and said that he never really got over the loss of "dearest Joe". Joe Orton was one of the greatest playwrights of modern times. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful gem❤

[@pianobanter]

"I got to the studios at a quarter to eight. I wandered around, lost, for a time, as usual. Then i found a commissionaire who directed me to a studio lounge....Eva Gabor was already nosing through her second gin. She'd been to see the play and, fortunately, loved it. She was making a great fuss of her make-up..."I must do my own", she said. She was whisked away to a make-up room and reappeared later not only painted a hectic beige, but dolled up in about fifty yards of satin. The show seemed to go ok....I looked good and came over well, i didn't say very much....Kenneth's tranquillisers worked against too much yapping....i had a dreamy look about me - barbiturates. They photographed everyone to look as pretty as possible and, having no competition, I WON."

[@williamoliver9988]

pianobanter hahaha that is awesome

[@Tismesue]

😊

[@gregorykennerly2321]

I look at Joe Orton and can't help but see Gary Oldman who was so brilliant in "Prick Up Your Ears.

[@BenQotsa]

he nailed it

[@aimeemacdn]

Yes, brilliant casting. Great plays and very sad death but he seems like a pretty nasty and amoral individual to me.

[@MrSwifts31]

Joe knew that "Prick Up Your Ears" was an anagram of "Prick Up Your Arse" Naughty Joe! LOL

[@friendlier]

I was just thinking the same thing.

[@bestdisco1979]

Absolutely,,uncanny.

[@adriancribb1966]

What a treat. Thanks. Joe Orton is just "naughtiness" encapsulated.

[@XO-nm8nx]

Those 'modified' library books are now treasured by Islington library. They're absolutely hilarious.

[@royaltenenbaum23]

4:55 "Sometimes you couldn't hear the dialogue because of the slamming of the seats..." brilliant!

[@antiquax]

Joe was 50 years ahead of his time. Such a loss.

[@charlesrae3793]

Thanks for posting this.It only underlines what a loss the death of Joe Orton was. I only wish the BBC had done more to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.

[@pianobanter]

They did commission a documentary which was broadcast late 2017 on BBC2, the excellent "Joe Orton Laid Bare". Radio 3 and 4 honoured the anniversary with some radio adaptions of his plays and a few documentaries. The BFi ran an Orton season too on the South Bank. There was a lot going on I think but not well reported at the time.

[@markandresen1]

His having to perpetuate his barefaced fib about being married at 20 cracked me up - especially his coy half-smile at having to confirm it.

[@Weesperbuurt]

maybe someone has already remarked on this, but the Lady Lewisham Orton refers to, was later known as Raine Spencer, Princess Di’s stepmother.

[@DavidBensonActor]

This is priceless, thanks so much for posting. You got more of this stuff?? It is excruciating at times: if only Orton had been able to talk, not about his imaginary bride, but honestly about his long and intensely-personal 'marriage' to Kenneth Halliwell, to whom he owed so much but here effectively air-brushed out of the picture, it might have saved them both. Orton's unnerving contributions, at one point jokingly advocating wife-beating, just as one of the charming young men in his plays might have done, are silenced by the end of the show, with Braden given the floor to answer inane questions about the perfect wife. Orton looks deeply embarrassed at the end and briefly rises from his chair as if he can't get away fast enough.

[@markandresen1]

Yes, Eva Gabor especially... I agree it's a shame Andrews stayed on the topic of the current state of hetero marriage, which wouldn't have interested Orton at all. Still, it's precious nonetheless...

[@francescaruby1150]

orton must have felt really out of place in this conversation

[@albionparish]

You should read, in Orton's Diaries, what HE had to say about this interview.....priceless!

[@grai]

How exhausting to live every minute pretending you're not gay This conversation couldn't happen today because the gay man would be able to say "well this doesn't interest me because it's nothing to do with me" and they would change the subject Instead poor Joe Orton not only has to pretend to be interested but also he has to **pretend that he's heterosexual** It must have been a soul destroying way to live

[@johnking5174]

The Eamonn Andrews Show was a staple for Sunday nights on ITV from 1964 until 1969. It was always the last main programme to air on a Sunday night, usually around 11.05pm-11.50pm. It was not live, but recorded in the evening. Used to be a great tonic for people dreading Monday morning.

[@ysgol3]

Joe was very very special and so so rare - an absolutely authentic creative genius. Even in 2019, I don't think his brilliance is yet fully appreciated.

[@aimeemacdn]

He was brilliant, yes, but not a very nice person.

[@ysgol3]

@@aimeemacdn You think so? So many people who met him during his brief fame said he was a very nice chap.

[@elliemccarthy3487]

People saying “ living in sin “ about straight relationships; u can see how impossible it was to say anything about being gay it was still illegal till 68

[@inkyguy]

10:15: "Being married is like being a baby and having to play with the same rattle always." Too bad nobody opted to pick-up on that.

[@Tismesue]

Beautifully cheeky way about him.

[@sainte3443]

What a handsome fellow! Adore Joe!

[@1951GL]

Other people have posted messages comparing this show with the media fodder of today. There was some rubbish 50 years ago, but there was a determination to produce some programmes for adults - like this one - and that is what today's schedules are missing. Orton was way ahead of his time. To think what he may have written had he lived into his sixties!

[@ria1636]

Glamorous Eva looks so much like Zsa Zsa I forgot she wasn't!

[@londonschoolofwigmaking5793]

"Do you want rice pudding with the sardines, or separate?"

[@daveirvin8251]

Beautiful soul

[@jrbs]

I met an elderly woman on a train to Nottingham about 10 years ago who told me that she had adopted a girl who was an illegitimate daughter of Joe Orton. Never did find out whether this could be true.

[@scottandrewbrass]

Highly unlikely.

[@joeblv]

this charming man

[@Rodin99]

Disappointed that so little time is given to interviewing Joe Orton.

[@argus1019]

I go back 50 years to an interest in Joe Orton and was especially keen on last night's BBC 2 programme about him. The Eamonn Andrews Show clip is remarkable as a part of that. Not least because of the attitudes that seem to be taken with regard to wrong-doing. Mr Orton is still seen as a supreme writing talent and is therefore forgiven for defacing library books. Even the 1967 Eamonn Andrews Show suggested that. Yet if anyone of a lesser talent had committed the same action, he/she would have been regarded as a social thug.

[@ysgol3]

So many people who knew him have said what a nice chap Joe was. And here's strong evidence in support !

[@stevennorman489]

Barbara Braden ! wow years ahead of her time . What a sexy independant woman. wears sunglasses on tv not one bit of look at me. And this is in 1967. Lord I wish i'd met het today. Also What a shame Joe couldn't have said to the world he was homsexual.

[@jimmy27paul]

Wearing sunglasses on tv? It was nothing more than typical American posing and exhibitionism....."Look at how cool i am".

[@DaveSCameron]

@@jimmy27paul boo

[@brianrodney5202]

@@jimmy27paul We caught a brief glimpse of Barnard Braden starting to light a cigarette.

[@inkyguy]

What Orton isn't saying about "Loot" before it came to London is that it simply was not funny and he did between 150-300 pages of rewrites to get the script to the stage in London where it became the success it was.

[@Gman-j6p]

Wonderful to see the whole of Joe's appearance on the TV show.

[@brianrodney5202]

Lady Lewisham was the daughter of Barbara Cartland and was married to the father of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

[@marianparoo1544]

What a mix of guests!

[@BernardProfitendieu]

Eva Gabor was always so charming - love Barbara Kelly's American directness You don't see this kind of interaction between the guests on modern talkshows, sadly, today they would have Joe Orton come on and talk to Eamann only, triggering none of the delicious cross couch dialog. I am thinking of Irv Kupcinet's wonderful show in Chicago where the guests were seated around each side of a square coffee table, all facing in toward each other. Guests from different areas all talking together on a variety of topics, led by Kup in "the lively art of conversation" - really a great format, long gone.

[@vincentmcgrath4179]

Everyone else in this program has dated but not joe

[@bestdisco1979]

I had a marvelous time in prison. 😂😂😂😂

[@anthonywalsh785]

such a good looking young man, taken way too early.

[@DeanMoxley87]

Oh my days I can immtate his voice

[@vivienmerchant]

Brilliant! More from your treasure trove, please, and I'd like a double gin and tonic while you're at it.

[@inkyguy]

Broadcast 23 April 1967.

[@LusciousTwinkle]

My god!! Gary Oldman looked just like him!!!

[@richardsharpe2966]

This is a gem

[@alisonsarahcarroll6063]

Gary oldman played a wonderful part as joe Orion in prick up your ears.

[@drwhatson]

'The Eamon Andrews Show' - That music brought back memories.

[@rexterrocks]

The Oscar Wilde of Welfare state gentility

[@Ray-xh6gb]

I bet he loved it in islington

[@morrisseysquiff1063]

why cant talk shows be like this now??

[@alexcampion2461]

Morrisseys Quiff i know-it was rather fun, wasn't it? it's so formal now, so lifeless. and they keep playing games to try and artificially vamp up the fun quotient.

[@gregorykennerly2321]

+Morrisseys Quiff Because we don't have intelligent, well-spoken people who LISTEN TO EACH OTHER!

[@alexcampion2461]

i don't know, i think we do, they're just not considered "TV fodder"...when was the last time you saw a playwright on television, for christ's sake? marketing dudes in meeting: "no one wants to see PLAYWRIGHTS-they want MOVIE STARS!!!" marketing, there's the culprit.

[@theonlyantony]

Because, dear heart, we are living in a feedback loop - AKA the 3rd decade of the nineties. It is over. That format and that poise of character, style and decorum, has had its day. It is sad. We must move on.

[@youngsteph1]

Because they are full of self opinionated bores, who think themselves & their cronies are so funny, when in reality they are awful.

[@elliemccarthy3487]

She’s such a hypocrite she was divorced so often then said the term “sin” what hypocrisy no wonder joe was so brilliant at breaking the boundaries

[@hezkyden]

Orton has shifty, sly eyes.

[@bobtaylor170]

Some commenter spoke of his "naughtiness." Uuuuhhhhhhhh, perversity might be the more correct word.

[@gerardmackay8909]

@@bobtaylor170 you’re not related to Edna Welthorpe (Mrs) by any chance?

[@mikemorgan7893]

it was the first uk tv audience chat show

[@johnking5174]

The Eamonn Andrews Show was a staple for Sunday nights on ITV from 1964 until 1969. It was always the last main programme to air on a Sunday night, usually around 11.05pm-11.50pm. It was not live, but recorded in the early evening. Used to be a great tonic for people dreading Monday morning.

[@marilylock]

I remember watching Joe on this program Joe was my brother and he was a lovely man and so. Kind to me as a young kid I still miss him after all these year 😢

[@GrubStLodger]

@@marilylock I read one of his previously unpublished novels this week, it was very funny.

[@glovebagger5763]

I cant thank you enough for uploading this. I don't suppose you have a copy of ATV's Sloane knocking about? I find it hard to believe its still not out in some shape or form:-( I have recently got a copy of the radio version of ''The Ruffian On The Stair'', the BBC Radio version he listened to himself and mentioned hearing in his diaries. If you'd like a copy, just ask :-)

[@hendrykkorzeniowski5264]

+Hugh Dunne Hi Hugh - all of Joe Orton's TV plays still exist - the BFI have copies of them all, including the ATV Sloane.

[@markandresen1]

Hi Hendryk Korzeniowski I've often wondered about his appearance at the 1966 Evening Standards Awards, where 'Loot' won the award for the Best Play of the Year, and whether this still exists. I recall ITV used to broadcast these when I was a child...

[@Ray-xh6gb]

He went to the doctor's out hedvovk

[@Ray-xh6gb]

Tights

[@Ray-xh6gb]

I nrt

[@erika7674]

But frankly, the whole conversation must have been excruciatingly boring for Joe Orton!

[@stevehendrix9625]

I think it's fairly obvious that stuffy, conservative Eamonn Andrews doesn't approve of Orton. After a promising start, he almost ignores him and concentrates on his three other guests, leaving Orton with little opportunity to speak. Such a shame.

[@drwhatson]

I daresay Andrews' Irish Catholic upbringing had an effect on his stuffy views. He really should have stuck to Crackerjack.

[@joemaxfield6978]

Eva Gabor. The smarter sister.

[@mikethebloodthirsty]

Sad that he died the way he did, stay clear of jealous partners.

[@inkyguy]

Mike Mono, it had a lot more than jealousy motivating it. According to the psychiatrist who was involved, Ken Haliwell was unquestionably psychotic at that point. Haliwell was on medication and was due to be committed (or “sectioned”) the next day. Several people, including Joe’s sister believe that Ken was humiliated terribly by Peter Wilkes, especially the night before, and that was the final breaking point for Haliwell, and that he really wanted to commit suicide but didn’t want to die without Joe.

[@rotagorretni]

A breaking point doesn't make for a motivation. It breaks something. That's why it's called a breaking point

[@davidspedding8349]

looks like a young kenneth haig didnt halliwell do most of the books etc etc ?

[@erika7674]

Not too keen on the way the conversation about marriage and divorce quickly descends into light-hearted banter about domestic violence.

[@andyrudd771]

Does she have vision issues?

[@gegemec]

The elephant in the room was Orton's homosexuality. The love that dare not speak its name. Pity they didn't discuss relationships rather than marriage.

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

Shame his "Marriage" didn't work out. Ha! What a scamp.Love him.

[@Janster59]

Joe wasnt really married-was he?

[@nobodysfool8200]

Was joe married at 20? Do people think eamonn is kinda taking the piss re the marriage q's or is he just that innocent? Would a lot of the audience not in the know have picked up on joes sexuality? Prob not. Truly fascinating. Love the line about knocking an unfaithful wife about? Even ms Gabor is glorious. I'm sure I read somewhere that the great Peter Cooke insulted her, in an extremely amusing way, in an interview. Does anyone know what he said or has it been put on ytube or anywhere?

[@nanettemorton4054]

Orton was involved with Halliwell by the time he was 20, so in that case he was married at an early age.

[@padraiggillon]

He was never married. His father and siblings did not know he was gay until after his murder.

[@arundelmercure553]

So funny to see Joe Orton just plain lying about being married then a long discussion when there's an epically promiscuous homosexual right there. It's just comical. Barbara Kelly is a hoot.

[@dubbaddare]

What a pointless argument and ironic that he was bludgeoned to death by his morose "Wife" four months later !

[@ovalroom2]

For someone who was a so called rebel then he looks so middle class normal in dress manner and speech although he always professed and anti you name it he was without knowing it embracing the very things he hated...one always hates that which they cannot be part of or enjoy!

[@rotagorretni]

He spent 6 months in gaol for being a "so called rebel". Dying his hair blue or piercing his nose wouldn't have made him more true to himself. People aren't all appearances

[@BarryAustinLynch]

Orton was never married, so he is really taking the piss.

[@algiles881]

Was Joe ever married?. I think that was just PR - seems ridiculous in 1967

[@erika7674]

Is that Zsa Zsa Gabor? I love the way she berates Eamonn Andrews for the banal, journalistic way he speaks about Joe Orton's play.

[@ria1636]

No, it was Eva as mentioned at the beginning of the programme. Lol

[@elliemccarthy3487]

I thought it was zsa

[@nobodysfool8200]

Thought Bernard Braden was English? The Braden beat or something.

[@markandresen1]

+Nobody's fool He and his wife, Barbara Kelly, were Canadian and seemed to be bigger over here - from the Fifties to the Eighties - than anywhere else. A witty, broad-minded couple - formerly actors - much sought after as panel show guests.

[@Ray-xh6gb]

Joeortpnip

[@ysgol3]

I like Braden, but he contributes nothing except envy here. Barbara's lovely though.

[@londonschoolofwigmaking5793]

Their coughing is very distracting.

[@astolennova]

That could have gone worse.

[@elliemccarthy3487]

Eva omg 😮 sorry the sisters looks identical

[@BernardProfitendieu]

not really

[@rexmundi2237]

According to his diaries, Joe was drugged up on barbiturates during this interview, which explains his odd behaviour.

[@mikethebloodthirsty]

He's not that odd... he's just ahead of his time, the odd people are his co-interviewees or the interviewer. Joe Orton WAS REAL!!!!!!!!!

[@inkyguy]

Rex Mundi, he’s not “drugged”; he’s lightly sedated, as Gabor was on her (at least two) martinis.

[@elliemccarthy3487]

He’s floaty , it’s not out if it it’s a anti anxiety med

[@Ray-xh6gb]

Dishegey

[@julianmeek2156]

Marriage is for bores - no, Gabors... The Orton marriage story was of course fictitious...

[@BernardProfitendieu]

haha

[@davidreid8075]

Funny writer but a clouded person.