Staircase

Staircase

Year: 1969

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Stanley Donen

DramaComedyMoving relationship storiesEmotional LGBTQ relationshipsPowerful stories of heartbreak and suffering

An aging gay couple runs a barber shop in London’s East End. One partner, a part‑time actor, faces a trial for allegedly propositioning a police officer. Over one night they reminisce about their tender yet volatile shared past and contemplate a uncertain future apart, offering a bittersweet portrait of love and loss.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Staircase (1969)

Trace every key event in Staircase (1969) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Life at Chez Harry

Harry Leeds and Charles 'Charlie' Dyer run Chez Harry, a barbershop in London's East End, where Harry's bedridden mother stays upstairs. They have been a couple for twenty years, and their relationship is seasoned with sharp verbal banter. Harry hides his alopecia with a bandage rather than wearing a toupee.

Chez Harry, East End, London
2

Charlie brags about his acting career

Charlie is an actor who frequently boasts about his one television commercial and the opportunities it brings. He uses his acting status to press his point during arguments and to feel superior. The couple's banter is sharpened by his swagger and Harry's stubborn streak.

Chez Harry
3

Charlie summoned to court for lewd behavior

One night, Charlie learns he has been summoned to court on a charge of lewd public behavior for dressing in drag. The looming trial unsettles both men and threatens the stability of their life together. They worry about how society will judge their relationship and whether Charlie's reputation will survive.

Evening Court, London
4

Motorcycle ride to a park to discuss children

The next morning, they ride a motorcycle to a park and discuss whether to have children. Their conversation reveals different life goals and concerns about aging and acceptance. The ride shows their reliance on each other even as tensions bubble beneath the surface.

Morning Park in London
5

Harry tends to alopecia; reaffirms no toupee

Later that night, Harry tends to his alopecia and reiterates that he will never wear a toupee. He stands by his sense of self and resists the illusion of appearances. This moment reinforces his stubbornness and their ongoing friction.

Night Their home
6

Charlie visits his mother at the nursing home

The next morning, Charlie visits his mother in a nursing home, but she does not recognize him. The moment highlights Charlie's aging and the fragility of memory. Harry consoles Charlie outside, reminding him that they share a life and history.

Morning Nursing home, London
7

Park visit with Charlie's nerves calmed by Harry

Harry consoles Charlie outside, and they head to another park filled with young adults. Charlie contemplates the harsh punishment he could face if convicted. The park scene underscores the tension between social judgment and their intimate relationship.

Daytime Park in London
8

Charlie invites Jack into their apartment

On another night, Charlie invites a younger man named Jack into their apartment. The invitation triggers insecurities in Harry, who has grown tired of Charlie's boasting about his acting career and his reluctance to meet Cassy. Tensions rise as boundaries blur between longtime couple and a third party.

Night Their apartment
9

Argument and Jack leaves; Harry unconscious in the bathroom

After Jack leaves, Harry goes into the bathroom where Charlie finds him lying unconscious, though Harry recovers. The incident intensifies the strain and raises questions about their safety and futures. They are left to confront what they mean to each other in the wake of the event.

Night Apartment bathroom
10

Morning before the trial; contemplation of life without Harry

The next morning, before Charlie heads for his trial, he contemplates life without Harry and prays for guidance. He wrestles with fear, guilt, and the possibility of losing their shared life. The moment sets up the emotional stakes for the next events.

Morning Flat
11

Harry wears a toupee; asks for judgment

Harry comes downstairs wearing a dark-haired toupee and asks Charlie for his judgment. Charlie tries to be kind but is honest about his feelings, which devastates the moment. Harry then chooses to return to his bandage as a symbol of authenticity.

Morning Chez Harry, downstairs
12

Charlie declines to take Harry to the trial

Harry asks to accompany Charlie to his trial, but Charlie declines, intending to face the proceedings alone. The decision underscores the strain in their relationship and the limits of their shared life. Nevertheless, the couple remains connected as they step toward the door.

Morning Flat
13

Charlie leaves for the trial; calls for Harry

As Charlie steps out to begin the trial, he calls for Harry. The two hurry to the doorway and walk out together, signifying a quiet reconciliation. The scene suggests that despite conflicts, they still face the world as a duo.

Morning Front door of the flat; street
14

Closing moment: a fragile but enduring bond

Although their relationship has endured turbulence, the final moment shows them leaving together, suggesting a fragile but enduring bond. The film closes on their union as they confront the unknown future together. This ending emphasizes that truth, love, and mutual support endure beyond conflict.

End Outside the flat, London

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:23

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Staircase Summary

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Staircase Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Staircase

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