Harold and Maude (1971)

Young, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.

Director:

Hal Ashby

Writer:

Colin Higgins

Stars:

Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ruth Gordon	...	Maude
Bud Cort	...	Harold
Vivian Pickles	...	Mrs. Chasen
Cyril Cusack	...	Glaucus
Charles Tyner	...	Uncle Victor
Ellen Geer	...	Sunshine Doré
Eric Christmas	...	Priest
G. Wood	...	Psychiatrist
Judy Engles	...	Candy Gulf
Shari Summers	...	Edith Phern
Tom Skerritt	...	Motorcycle Officer (as M. Borman)
Susan Madigan	...	Girlfriend
Ray K. Goman	...	Police Officer (as Ray Goman)
Gordon De Vol	...	Police Officer (as Gordon DeVol)
Harvey Brumfield	...	Police Officer

Storyline

Harold is a depressed, death-obsessed 20-year-old man/child who spends his free time attending funerals and pretending to commit suicide in front of his mother. At a funeral, Harold befriends Maude, a 79-year-old woman who has a zest for life. She and Harold spend much time together during which she exposes him to the wonders and possibilities of life. After rejecting his mother's three attempts to set him up with a potential wife, and committing fake suicide in front of all of them, Harold announces that he is to be married to Maude. However, Maude has a surprise for Harold that is to change his life forever.

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Plot Keywords:

death | existentialism | eccentric | misfit | depression | 

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Taglines:

They met at the funeral of a perfect stranger. From then on, things got perfectly stranger and stranger.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 December 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ensina-me a Viver

Filming Locations:

San Francisco Trains State Belt #4 Restoration Site, Bayshore Blvd, Brisbane, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mildred Lewis and Colin Higgins Productions, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

[June 2008] Ranked #9 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Romantic Comedy".

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Goofs

When Maude pulls the banjo out of a cabinet, you see the reflection of crew and lights.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Mrs. Chasen: [after spotting Harold hanging from a noose in the living room] I suppose you think that's very funny, Harold... Oh, dinner at eight, Harold. And do try and be a little more vivacious.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Attack of the Eye Creatures (1992)

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Soundtracks

Trouble
(1970) (uncredited)
Written and Performed by Cat Stevens

User Reviews

When is the sequel coming?

Over 30 years have passed since Harold and Maude premiered. Since then, there hasn't been a more "different" and enjoyable love story about two completely odd people. The story is so unique, it is held in a category all its own. A man, who only feels alive when he's dead is introduced to a woman who is planning on death but lives life day to day. The moral of the movie is to live and to be. I am hoping for a sequel where Harold becomes the old man and influences a young woman who reminds him of the child he once was to live life to the very fullest.