Le cher disparu (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 & 1 nomination.

Cast

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

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:

psychotronic film | funeral | embalmer | death | 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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Certificate:

12

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Dennis first arrives in the US, the immigration officer points out his "The Beatles" haircut, to which Dennis responds that it's a normal British haircut. In fact, Robert Morse recalled being uncomfortable with having to grow his hair out for the part, as The Beatles were the only male celebrities well-known in the US whose hair was so long in the back.

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Goofs

There is a rose resting on several books adjacent to the poetry book Dennis takes from the shelf. When he returns from the refrigerator and puts the milk carton on the books, the rose is gone and the books have been rearranged.

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Quotes

D.J. Jr.: [casting Dusty Acres as James Bond] You think you can handle that English accent, Dusty?
Dusty Acres: Aw shucks, I reckon I could if I just sorta snuck up on it.
Harry Glenworthy: I think Frank here could straighten him out on the accent bit.
D.J. Jr.: Is that right Frank? Do you think you can?
Sir Francis Hinsley: Oh yes, I dare say I could.

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Connections

Featured in Tell Them Who You Are (2004)

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Soundtracks

Pomp and Circumstance
Composed by Edward Elgar

User Reviews

Does for funerals what Strangelove did for Nuclear War

There are few films I can recommend this highly. Morse is memorable as the hapless Englishman, trying to understand this peculiar American commercial funeral institution and the nearly fanatical devotees to the Jonathan Winters' Blessed Reverend.

The tawdry nature of the corporate funeral industry gradually unfolds in this fantastic study of our fixation with marketing everything, even death.

Jonathan Winters, Rod Steiger is brilliant as Mr. Joyboy, the effete chief embalmer, and the film features such huge talent as John Gielgud and Robert Morley as well as a cameos by Milton Berle, Roddy McDowell, Tab Hunter, and Liberace as the smarmy casket salesman. Look for a very young Paul Williams and...is that James Coburn? Yes, yes it is.

Be advised that there are some dubbing and sound issues common to films of this era, but if you're more concerned with a/v than story and humor, you should be off looking at...I dunno, something from George Lucas.

This film's greatest flaw is that it's hard to find on VHS and doesn't exist on the DVD.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 1966 (France)

Also Known As:

Le cher disparu

Filming Locations:

Fish Shanty Restaurant, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmways Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System) Mono (Ryder Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1