
At age 73, writer and melancholy master of the bon mot, Quentin Crisp (1908-1999), became an Englishman in New York. Nossiter's camera follows Crisp about the streets of Manhattan, where Crisp seems very much at home, wearing eye shadow, appearing on a makeshift stage, making and repeating wry observations, talking to John Hurt (who played Crisp in the autobiographical TV movie, "The Naked Civil Servant"), and dining with friends. Others who know Crisp comment on him, on his life as an openly gay man with an effeminate manner, and on his place in the history of gays' social struggle. The portrait that emerges is of one wit and of suffering.
Cast

Quentin Crisp
Self

Peter Walker
The Bum
Gilbert Stafford
Man on Street
Gus Rogerson
Street Performer
Michaela Murphy
Street Performer

John Sex
Self
Felicity Mason
Dinner Hostess / Writer

Fran Lebowitz
Writer
Guy Kettelhack
Writer

John Hurt
Self - Actor
Richard Seiburth
Professor
Hunter Madson
Writer

Sting
Singer

Michael Musto
Gossip Columnist

Sally Jessy Raphael
Talk Show Host (archive footage)
Shi Ringer
Gay Activist
Tom Steele
Self - Publisher

Al Goldstein
Pornographer

Paul Morrissey
Self
Lenny Dean
Cabaret Performer
Robert Patrick
Playwright
Penny Arcade
Performance Artist
Patrick Angus
Painter
Paul Bridgewater
Gallery Owner
Orshi Drozdick
Sculptor

Emile de Antonio
Filmmaker
David McDermott
Painter
Peter McGough
Painter
Trey Spiegel
Painters' Friend
Franco the Great
Painter
Holly Woodlawn
Performer / Actor
Vincent Hanlon
Self
Crew
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