This film is part of Free
At Home with Larry Grayson
Affectionate tribute to the camp comedian Larry Grayson, with showbiz friends and highlights from his TV career
Overview
Janet Street-Porter hosts a tribute to Larry Grayson on the occasion of his 60th birthday. She takes him on a nostalgic trip to his hometown, Nuneaton, and they reminisce about his career in show business. Many guest stars appear, including Noele Gordon and Arthur Marshall, before the programme ends with a tune - Born in Trunk, sung by his idol Judy Garland over the closing credits.
In the 1940s the fey comedian Larry Grayson (1923-1995) began a long and difficult climb to fame. By the early 1970s he had become a national treasure, with catchphrases such as “What a gay day”, imaginary friends like Everard and Slack Alice, and his first television series Shut That Door! However, in 1978 Gay News described Larry’s appointment to replace Bruce Forsyth on the BBC’s popular Generation Game as “the worst possible thing that could happen to gay rights on British television.” In spite of this, viewers loved him and his version of The Generation Game ran until 1982.
Related
What's a Girl Like You ... What's a Girl Like You ...
Documentary 1969 52 mins Location: Vauxhall
Scintillating look at the 1960s drag renaissance, with a visit to London's Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
Gay Black Group Gay Black Group
Magazine and Review show 1983 25 mins Location: Bloomsbury
The Gay Black Group - reasserting culture and identity on two levels.
David Is Homosexual David Is Homosexual
Amateur film 1978 38 mins Location: Lewisham
A lonely gay man discovers friends, love and activism in this rediscovered educational film made by the Campaign for Homosexual Equality
What Am I? What Am I?
Current affairs 1980 26 mins Location: Hay-on-Wye/Y Gelli Gandryll
Transgender pioneer April Ashley appears in this moving look at the challenges faced by the trans community in 1980s Britain
Paralysis Paralysis
Drama 2016 9 mins
Struggling with the pressures of homophobia when her partner is taken away by a hateful mother, a young gay woman struggles to cope with the traumas and anxieties of her life.
Facing the Sun Facing the Sun
Drama 1980 54 mins
Sao Paulo-set love triangle drama, featuring a rare TV depiction of bisexuality.
Testing of Prototype Routemaster Bus, 1955 Testing of Prototype Routemaster Bus, 1955
Industry sponsored film 1955 5 mins Silent Location: Nuneaton
The prototype of the revolutionary London Transport Routemaster bus is put through its paces at a test circuit in the Midlands.
Bass: Nuneaton Motor Club Rally Bass: Nuneaton Motor Club Rally
Amateur film 1954 8 mins Silent Location: Stoke Golding
A road movie of sorts: the Nuneaton Motor Club criss-cross the lanes of Leicestershire against the clock with trophies up for grabs.
Great Day Great Day
Amateur film 1953 15 mins Location: Nuneaton
From the costumed pageant to the dog show and motorcycle stunts. Nuneaton comes together to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Bass: Nuneaton Charter Celebrations Bass: Nuneaton Charter Celebrations
Amateur film 1957 33 mins Silent Location: Nuneaton
1957 and Nuneaton goes to town to celebrate its anniversary. From the carnival queen to the trade show and not forgetting the float parade in typically foul British weather.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.