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
Illegal Tender Illegal Tender
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1987 14 mins
Queer psychedelic portrait of a young man’s desires in an industrial wasteland
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.
New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.
New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.
Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.