The Loved One (1965)

Satire on the funeral business, in which a young British poet goes to work at a Hollywood cemetery.

Director:

Tony Richardson

Writers:

Evelyn Waugh (novel), Terry Southern (screenplay),

Stars:

Robert Morse, Jonathan Winters, Anjanette Comer

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Morse	...	Dennis Barlow
Jonathan Winters	...	Henry Glenworthy / Rev. Wilbur Glenworthy
Anjanette Comer	...	Aimee Thanatogenous
Dana Andrews	...	Gen. Buck Brinkman
Milton Berle	...	Mr. Kenton
James Coburn	...	Immigration Officer
John Gielgud	...	Sir Francis Hinsley
Tab Hunter	...	Whispering Glades Tour Guide
Margaret Leighton	...	Mrs. Helen Kenton
Liberace	...	Mr. Starker
Roddy McDowall	...	D.J. Jr.
Robert Morley	...	Sir Ambrose Ambercrombie
Barbara Nichols	...	Sadie Blodgett
Lionel Stander	...	The Guru Brahmin
Roxanne Arlen	...	Whispering Glades Hostess

Storyline

Newly arrived in Hollywood from England, Dennis Barlow finds he has to arrange his uncle's interment at the highly-organised and very profitable Whispering Glades funeral parlour. His fancy is caught by one of their cosmeticians, Aimee Thanatogenos. But he has three problems - the strict rules of owner Blessed Reverand Glenworthy, the rivalry of embalmer Mr Joyboy, and the shame of now working himself at The Happy Hunting Ground pets' memorial home.

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Plot Keywords:

funeral | embalmer | death | satire | funeral home | 

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Taglines:

The motion picture with something to offend everyone!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los seres queridos

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmways Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ruth Gordon and Jayne Mansfield were both cut from the released print of the film.

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Goofs

Henry's voice says "Will", whereas his mouth appears to say "Jack".

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Quotes

Rev. Wilbur Glenworthy: There must be some way to get these stiffs off my property.

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Connections

Referenced in It Might Get Loud (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Pomp and Circumstance"
By Edward Elgar

User Reviews

Beauty in many forms

Having seen a Playboy magazine article on the making of the film, this 15 year-old had to see it to believe it. This was in Boston, and the theater chain (Sack) had lopped off considerable footage, but I never knew of this until a PBS showing of it years later revealed a scene with the astronaut's wife that, after having seen the movie so many times that I could recite it, caught me completely by surprise. I skipped school and sat for an entire day in the glory of this perverted beauty. I received a book on the making of the Loved One, and discovered that there was a whole batch of stars, such as Ruth Gordon, who never made it to the final cut. But with or without, this one packs one hell of a punch - a scathing indictment of the '60s and all that it beheld, from a Jackie Kennedy look-alike in the opening scenes to that wonderful orgy in the casket filled chamber. Look close for a quick Jami Farr changing a portrait of The Queen at the luncheon held at the Brit exile's club. This is my all-time favorite movie, bar none.