Prick Up Your Ears (1987)

This film is the story of the spectacular life and violent death of British playwright Joe Orton. In his teens, Orton is befriended by the older, more reserved Kenneth Halliwell, and while ... See full summary »

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writers:

Alan Bennett, John Lahr (book)

Stars:

Gary Oldman, Alfred Molina, Vanessa Redgrave

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 7 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gary Oldman	...	Joe Orton
Alfred Molina	...	Kenneth Halliwell
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Peggy Ramsay
Frances Barber	...	Leonie Orton
Janet Dale	...	Mrs. Sugden
Julie Walters	...	Elsie Orton
Bert Parnaby	...	The Magistrate
Margaret Tyzack	...	Madame Lambert
Lindsay Duncan	...	Anthea Lahr
Wallace Shawn	...	John Lahr
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Simon Adams	...	Undertaker's Boy
Dave Atkins	...	Mr. Sugden
John Bailey	...	Wigmaker
Stephen Bill	...	George Barnett
Jane Blackburn	...	1st Woman in Gallery

Storyline

This film is the story of the spectacular life and violent death of British playwright Joe Orton. In his teens, Orton is befriended by the older, more reserved Kenneth Halliwell, and while the two begin a relationship, it's fairly obvious that it's not all about sex. Orton loves the dangers of bath-houses and liaisons in public restrooms; Halliwell, not as charming or attractive as Orton, doesn't fare so well in those environs. While both long to become writers, it is Orton who achieves fame - his plays "Entertaining Mr. Sloane" and "Loot" become huge hits in London of the sixties, and he's even commissioned to write a screenplay for the Beatles. But Orton's success takes him farther from Halliwell, whose response ended both his life and the life of the up-and-coming playwright.

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Plot Keywords:

playwright | death | writer | love | sex | 

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Taglines:

They shared everything - except success.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 May 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ciuliti-va urechile

Filming Locations:

25 Noel Road, Islington, London, England, UK

Box Office

Gross:

$1,654,743 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Civilhand, Zenith Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The interior (certainly not the exterior as the real house is mid-terraced) of Joe and Ken's flat was filmed in the actual flat where Orton and Halliwell lived (25 Noel Road). However, the murder at the end is filmed on a studio set.

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Quotes

Kenneth Halliwell: I just want to go to the awards! I could! Look, "Joe Orton and guest." I'd behave. I wouldn't say a word, I promise.
Joe Orton: No.
Kenneth Halliwell: Why?
Joe Orton: Because it's for me. I wrote it.
Kenneth Halliwell: I gave you the title.
Joe Orton: Okay, so when they have awards for titles, you can go to that.

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Connections

References My Favorite Brunette (1947)

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Soundtracks

"Indian Dance"
(uncredited)
Music by M. Kansara
De Wolfe Music Ltd

User Reviews

Very moving and sad

I never heard of Joe Orton before I saw this, but now I want to know more. Performances here are flawless, Molina and Oldman take risks very few actors would take. I wish the filmmakers had spent a little more time on Orton's work, and less on his sex life, but this is a small complaint. I give this a 9, and laugh wholeheartedly at the joke in the title.