Harold and Maude (1971)

Director:

Hal Ashby

Writer:

Colin Higgins (written by)

Release Date:

20 December 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

They will defy everything you've ever seen or heard about screen lovers! [Video]

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Funeral | Suicide | Death | Junkyard | Fake Suicide

Awards:

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

Cast

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 Devol	...	Police Officer (as Gordon DeVol)
Harvey Brumfield	...	Police Officer
Henry Dieckoff	...	Butler
Philip Schultz	...	Doctor
Sonia Sorel	...	Head Nurse (as Sonia Sorrell)
Margot Jones	...	Student Nurse
Barry Higgins	...	Intern
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hal Ashby	...	Bearded Man Watching Model Train (uncredited)
Michael L. Davis	...	Policeman (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Marjorie Eaton	...	Madame Arouet (uncredited)
William Lucking	...	Policeman (uncredited)
Jerry Randall	...	(uncredited)
Cat Stevens	...	Man in Front of Maude at Funeral (uncredited) (unconfirmed)

Directed by
Hal Ashby

Writing credits
Colin Higgins		(written by)

Produced by
Colin Higgins	....	producer
Mildred Lewis	....	executive producer
Charles Mulvehill	....	producer (as Charles B. Mulvehill)

Cinematography by
John A. Alonzo		(director of photography) (as John Alonzo)

Film Editing by
William A. Sawyer		(film editor)
Edward Warschilka		(film editor)

Casting by
Lynn Stalmaster

Production Design by
Michael D. Haller		(as Michael Haller)

Costume Design by
William Ware Theiss		(as William Theiss)

Makeup Department
Kathryn Blondell	....	hair stylist
Bob Stein	....	makeup artist
Rebecca White	....	hairdresser (uncredited)

Production Management
Wesley J. McAfee	....	unit production manager (as Wes McAfee)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Michael J. Dmytryk	....	first assistant director (as Michael Dmytryk)
Robert Enrietto	....	second assistant director

Art Department
James Cane	....	set dresser
Eugene Booth	....	props (uncredited)
Steve Ferry	....	props (uncredited)

Sound Department
Richard Portman	....	re-recordist
William Randall	....	sound
James Richard	....	sound editor (as James A. Richards)
Frank E. Warner	....	sound editor (as Frank Warner)
Charles Randall	....	boom man (uncredited)

Special Effects by
A.D. Flowers	....	special effects
Paul J. Lombardi	....	special effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Pamela Bebermeyer	....	stunt double (as Pam Bebermeyer)
Buddy Joe Hooker	....	stunt co-ordinator (as Joe Hooker)
Buddy Joe Hooker	....	stunt double (as Joe Hooker)
Jerry Randall	....	stunt double

Camera and Electrical Department
Richard Hart	....	gaffer
Joe R. Marquette Jr.	....	camera operator (as Joe Marquette Jr.)
Charles Record	....	head grip
Jack Geraghty	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Randy Glass	....	best boy (uncredited)
King Nicholson	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Elias Safar	....	second assistant camera (uncredited)
Larry Whitehead	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Ann Brebner	....	casting: S.F. (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Andrea E. Weaver	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Andrea Weaver)
Rosa Lazar	....	costume fitter (uncredited)
Kirk Templeman	....	wardrobe assistant (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Sam Gemette	....	editorial apprentice
Don Zimmerman	....	editorial apprentice
Jack Davies	....	assistant editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Ken Johnson	....	music editor
Paul Samwell-Smith	....	recording supervisor
Cat Stevens	....	composer: songs
Cat Stevens	....	performer: songs

Transportation Department
Charles Bricker	....	driver (uncredited)
James D. Brubaker	....	driver (uncredited)
Gene Clinesmith	....	driver captain (uncredited)
Dale Henry	....	driver (uncredited)
Allen Pettigrew	....	driver (uncredited)
Craig Pinkard	....	driver (uncredited)
Dalibos Raos	....	driver (uncredited)
Ray Tostado	....	driver (uncredited)
Gerald Vers	....	driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Pablo Ferro	....	titles
Steven J. Silver	....	production associate (as Steve Silver)
Jeff Wexler	....	production assistant
R. Alberts	....	craft service (uncredited)
Julie Dressler	....	production secretary (uncredited)
Jan Haag	....	intern (uncredited)
Boone Lodge	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Susan Madigan	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Arnold H. Orgolini	....	auditor (uncredited)
Julie Pitkanen	....	script continuity (uncredited)
Bill Shur	....	projectionist (uncredited)
Barbara Ulrich	....	secretary to director (uncredited)
Arthur Wilde	....	publicist (uncredited)
Sheila Woodland	....	production secretary (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Mildred Lewis and Colin Higgins Productions (as A Mildred Lewis and Colin Higgins Production)
• Paramount Pictures

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1971) (USA) (theatrical) (A Gulf + Western Company)
• Suevia Films - Cesáreo González (1974) (Spain) (theatrical)
• FifiGE/AG Kino (1974) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (????) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Paramount Home Video (1979) (UK) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• Paramount Home Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Paramount Home Video (1997) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Paramount Home Video (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Turner Classic Movies (TCM) (2009) (USA) (TV)
• Cinema International Corporation (C.I.C.) (1972) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Japan Community Cinema Center (2010) (Japan) (theatrical) (in association with)
• Japan Sky Way (2010) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Cine Plus Home Entertainment (????) (Germany) (VHS)
• Criterion Collection, The (2012) (USA) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)

Other Companies

• A&M Records  courtesy of: Cat Stevens
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)  this picture made under the jurisdiction of (as I.A.T.S.E.®)
• Island Records  courtesy of: Cat Stevens

Also Known As:

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:14A | Finland:K-16 | Ireland:15 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG | West Germany:12 (f) (re-rating) | Singapore:PG | West Germany:18 (nf) (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:18 (2005) | USA:TV-14 (TV rating) | Germany:12 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Berkeley, California, USA

Company:

Mildred Lewis and Colin Higgins Productions

Trivia:

Cameo: [Suzanne Somers]As a "deodorant girl" during a funeral. The scene was cut.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Maude pulls the banjo out of a cabinet, you see the reflection of crew and lights.

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.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Nostalgia Critic: Theodore Rex (#3.31)" (2010)

Soundtrack:

An der schönen, blauen Donau (On the Beautiful Blue Danube), Op. 314

I loved this!

I want to BE Maude when I am older. Ironically, I have never seen a movie that was so full of life and joy. There are many little things in this movie, little details and gags, that increase the movie's replayability. The acting is amazing. Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort have wonderful chemistry,which is a tribute to the their acting ability, as well as the tight writing and solid direction. I was sad that this movie did not garner more recognition than it did when it was released. I am also disappointed that Bud Cort has not starred in more things since this movie. Oh well. This is a good Hal Ashby movie to start with, but if you get a chance you should watch as many as possible. They are quirky, thoughtful and wonderful. "Harold and Maude" is a paean to life and love, even if it's in the weirdest places.