Director Tony Richardson’s most famous films were Tom Jones (Academy Award for Best Picture) starring Albert Finney, John OSBORNE’s Look Back in Anger (starring Richard Burton and Claire Bloom), and The Entertainer (with Laurence OLIVIER). A Taste of Honey, which was adapted from Shelagh Delaney’s play of the same name, depicted a loving and supportive homosexual character.

Richardson’s The Loved One, based on Evelyn WAUGH’s book, was perhaps the most controversial film of his career. A satire about a grotesquely kitschy funeral home in California, the film attacked the American capitalistic attitude toward everything—including death. Robert Morse, John GIELGUD, Rod Steiger, LIBERACE, Tab HUNTER, and Robert Moreley appeared in the film.

Richardson’s Hamlet starred Nicol Williamson in the title role, with a supporting cast that included Anthony Hopkins, Anjelica Huston, Gordon Jackson, and a very drugged-out Marianne FAITHFULL as Ophelia. The Border (with Jack Nicholson, Harvey Keitel, and Warren Oates) and The Hotel New Hampshire (with Jodie FOSTER, Matthew Modine, and Rob Lowe) were not so successful. Even so, the blow-job scene catapulted Lowe to fame as a teen heartthrob and queer-lust idol.

Richardson was married to actress Vanessa Redgrave from 1962 until they divorced in 1967. The couple had two daughters, Natasha Richardson (1963–2009) and Joely Richardson (born 1965), both actresses. He left Redgrave for actress Jeanne Moreau, although the marriage he had anticipated never materialised. In 1972 he also had a relationship with Grizelda Grimond, the daughter of British politician Jo Grimond, who was working as secretary to Richardson's partner (actually ex-partner by that time) Oscar Lewenstein. Grizelda bore him a daughter, Katharine Grimond, on 8 January 1973.

Richardson was bisexual, but never acknowledged it publicly until after he contracted HIV.

Richardson died of AIDS-related illness in Los Angeles in 1991 with Vanessa at his side. His final film, Blue Sky, sat on the shelf for several years, but won Jessica Lange an Academy Award in 1995.

Stern, Keith (2009-09-01). Queers in History: The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Historical Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals (Kindle Locations 10188-10202). Perseus Books Group. Kindle Edition.

Further Readings:

The Lavender Screen: The Gay and Lesbian Films--Their Stars, Makers, Characters, and Critics by Boze Hadleigh
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Citadel; Rev Upd edition (January 1, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0806521996
ISBN-13: 978-0806521992
Amazon: The Lavender Screen: The Gay and Lesbian Films--Their Stars, Makers, Characters, and Critics

Tracing the origins and evolution of films with gay and lesbian characters and themes from the 1930s to their present proliferation, The Lavender Screen offers a startling review of more than 100 films, evaluating not only themes, but the director's attitudes and public and critical commentary as well.

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