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 & 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:

funeral | embalmer | death | funeral home | satire | 

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Taglines:

From The Man Who Made "Tom Jones"!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los seres queridos

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Tony Richardson preferred to make his films entirely on location, this one used MGM's Culver City (CA) studio extensively--but as a location. No sound stage was employed as a sound stage but several parts of the studio, notably the entrance and the commissary, were used to replicate parts of the fictitious "Megalopolitan Studios". The film went steeply over schedule and $1 million over budget. It was a major box-office failure.

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Goofs

When Dennis opens the refrigerator in the office of the pet cemetery, two dead dogs can clearly be seen on the top and bottom shelves. Dennis leaves the refrigerator door open while he turns and sets a drink down. When he turns back, the refrigerator interior shows something covered in paper on the top shelf and a dead cat curled up on the bottom shelf.

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Quotes

Harry Glenworthy: Doctors! Doctors are hot, right? Ok, so how about a panel quiz show called "What's My Disease". The contestant is wheeled in, in a kind of shrouded cage.

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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

Even better than I remembered

I was one who saw it in 1965, and GOT IT. I have waited lo these many years for a video copy. I am only disappointed that the quality of the print is so fuzzy. Why has it not been digitally remastered?!! Sir Francis's cottage and pool were so much more evocative when we could see them. Are you listening, Ted? (but don't colorize it. It's perfect in B&W)My teenage son asked if anyone was doing a remake. Perish the thought! How could anyone improve on Jonathan Winters, Bobby Morse, Rod Steiger and Liberace? Or any of the many cameos? This is truly Terry Southern's finest screen writing, and the acting is unparalleled. Robert Morely's funeral recitation still cracks me up. The world's greatest black comedy!