Between Oscar Wilde and Boy George, England's most well-known fop was probably Quentin Crisp. Growing up in Britain during the late 1930s and 1940s, Crisp defied convention and, instead of conforming to societal pressure, openly acknowledged his homosexuality. Eventually, he published his autobiography, The Naked Civil Servant, and in 1975 a tremendously entertaining TV film based on the book—with John Hurt portraying Crisp—was made. Thirty years later, the movie hasn't lost a bit of its panache or, unfortunately, its punch—as much of the verbal and physical gay bashings Crisp is subjected to in the movie are still with us. The famous raconteur, however, had the last laugh and lived to triumph over his oppressors and see himself become a gay icon before his death in 1999. The DVD includes a featurette in which Crisp interviews then-Vanity Fair editor ( and fellow Brit expat ) Tina Brown.

Seventeen years after the furor over Civil Servant, not a peep was heard when, in 1992, PBS showed another BBC offering, The Lost Language of Cranes. Based on the popular gay novel by David Leavitt, the movie was transplanted from New York to London and focuses on Brian Cox and Eileen Atkins as the parents to Richard Burton look-a-like Angus MacFayden, who hesitantly comes out to his parents. But that's not really the problem. What is, it quickly becomes apparent, is that dad is also gay and wants to come out, too. This drama of 'secrets and lies' is beautifully acted by the stellar cast—now all familiar from years of work in theatre and film work—and has the bonuses of several scenes set in gay bars, a gay porn cinema and the young gay couple cuddling in bed. I'm sure the full-frontal nude shots of MacFayden and his lover weren't shown on PBS when I first saw this and, though this edition includes them, it also reminded me that gay rights had made huge advancements both here and in England by the time this film was shown. Gays on TV were becoming familiar in 1992.

By the time the outlandish Little Britain series was created in 2003 by queer funnyman Matt Lucas and David Walliams, his queer-friendly but heterosexual acting partner, gays were commonplace on TV. Through three seasons ( all available on DVD ) , the duo has taken England by storm and caused a sensation. Their zany characters cover the gender and sexual-orientation spectra. In 2005, Lucas and Walliams took their characters on the road and played to packed houses throughout England. The hilarious show, along with a batch of extras, has now been released as Little Britain Live; the difference between the gentle but firm cry for understanding underneath the henna-haired Quentin Crisp of 1975's Civil Servant and the over- the-top, raunchy and unapologetic gay material of Little Britain is exhilarating. Each of the shows ends, naturally, with Lucas as Dafydd, the strident gay activist who insists ( with evidence to the contrary ) that he is the 'only gay in the village,' leading the audience in a gay anthem.

But it is an earlier sketch in which Walliams portrays the gay children's entertainer that clearly shows the cultural advancement of the previous 30 years. Without hesitation, Walliams pulls an unsuspecting straight hunk out of the audience and within moments has planted a kiss on his lips, felt his package, simulated oral sex and nearly pulled his pants off—all to the enthusiastic encouragement from the clearly mixed audience of thousands and the sheepish okay from the volunteer.

U.S. television has yet to offer up anything quite this accepting and overt but one can certainly take heart. If entertainment tradition has taught us anything, it's that success this large foretells that an American version—a tad watered down, no doubt—will soon follow.

Film Notes:

—The Music Box Theatre continues its successful series of Sing-A-Long movie events with Grease, which plays May 25-June 3. One of the most financially successful musicals ever filmed, the 1978 movie starred then-heartthrob John Travolta and screen newcomer Olivia Newton-John. Though the film, overseen by gay film producer Allan Carr and gay director Randal Kleiser, is crude in execution and choppily put together, it nevertheless is winning because of its exuberant vitality and Sing-a-Long Grease, like The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz, is sure to guarantee audiences ( especially gay ones ) a rollicking good time. Reservations recommended. www.musicboxtheatre.com

—Something called Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is also opening this week but wasn't available for screening before my deadline. I believe that Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and Geoffrey Rush are in the film which is certainly a promising group. Anyone else heard of this movie?

Check out my archived reviews at www.windycitytimes.com or www.knightatthemovies.com . People can leave feedback at the latter Web site, where you will also find ordering information on my new book of collected film reviews, Knight at the Movies 2004-2006.