Staircase
“A sad gay story”
Synopsis
An aging gay couple owns a barber shop in the East End of London. One of them is a part-time actor about to go on trial for propositioning a police officer. The action takes place over the course of one night as they discuss their loving but often volatile past together and possible future without each other.
Top Cast
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Rex Harrison
Charles Dyer
Richard Burton
Harry Leeds
Cathleen Nesbitt
Harry's Mother
Beatrix Lehmann
Charlie's Mother
Stephen Lewis
Jack
Neil Wilson
Policeman
Gordon Heath
Postman
Avril Angers
Miss Ricard
Shelagh Fraser
Cub Mistress
Gwen Nelson
Matron
Pat Heywood
Nurse
Dermot Kelly
Gravedigger
Jake Kavanagh
Choirboy
Michael Rogers
Drag Singer (as Rogers)
Royston Starr
Drag Singer (as Starr)
Release History & Theatrical Window
August 20, 1969
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Stanley Donen
- Screenplay & Story
- Charles Dyer
- Original Score
- Dudley Moore
- Original Title
- Staircase
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 36m
- Production Studios
- Stanley Donen Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Stanley Donen
Charles Dyer
Dudley Moore
Christopher Challis
Richard Marden
Stanley Donen
Department Leadership Roster
Christopher Challis
Director of Photography
Richard Marden
Editor
Stanley Donen
Director
Charles Dyer
Screenplay
Stanley Donen
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Staircase.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Staircase.
LGBTQ+
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LGBT movies and Television List
This list includes LGBT main plotlines and characters but it may also include secondary plots and characters that shape the film's outcome but might not be the driving course of the film. Private preference of the films stars are not considered, please don't suggest additions on that basis. Please use the e-mail to suggest others to include creature61@hotmail.com (alphabetical lists would be appreciated and please add the year of release and Director)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Staircase
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Staircase about?
An aging gay couple owns a barber shop in the East End of London. One of them is a part-time actor about to go on trial for propositioning a police officer. The action takes place over the course of one night as they discuss their loving but often volatile past together and possible future without each other.
Who directed Staircase?
Staircase was directed by Stanley Donen.
Who stars in Staircase?
The principal cast of Staircase includes Rex Harrison, Richard Burton, Cathleen Nesbitt, Beatrix Lehmann, Stephen Lewis.
When was Staircase released and how long is it?
Staircase was released in 1969 with a total runtime of 1h 36m.
Who composed the musical score for Staircase?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Staircase was composed by Dudley Moore.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Staircase?
Staircase holds official age classifications: US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).