The Loved One, 1965

[davestlouis]

I ordered the disc from Amazon, but I've been catching snippets of it on youtube...Liberace as the funeral director(his only non-musical movie role),a great line from the movie that has stuck with me:

"Rayon chafes you know" in reference to the interior in a casket.

Being in the funeral trade I always enjoy movies that make fun of the trade...might as well laugh about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oymjPBjYLQ

 

[davestlouis]

it's an odd film, more clips are attached

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APa5BBJbB6c
Horace Joyboy the embalmer(Rod Steiger) takes his new girl friend home to meet his mother

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3QeGR2Zc00
Mr Barlow picks up MIlton Berle's deceased dog...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Cmu-_bA48
Rev. Glenworthy(jonathan Winters) tries to seduce the cosmetician, Ms Thanatogenous (Anjanette Comer)

 

[davestlouis]

the theatrical trailer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62FuWtAvNpo

 

[lolly_loisides]

I remember that movie! The novel was written by Evelyn Waugh. I think I read somewhere that it was the inspiration for Jessica Mitfords book "The American way of death"

 

[davestlouis]

Both Mitford and Waugh took jabs at the American funeral industry, which, truth be known, probably needed to be jabbed. I still see some of the pomposity among older funeral directors today, but there's less of the "grief and guilt" sales tactics evident today.

Lots of famous folks in this film...James Coburn has a cameo, John Gielgud is the dear departed uncle, the list goes on and on.

 

[David V]

Anjanette Comer!

sigh!

 

[davestlouis]

Anjanette Comer had a creepy "little girl" voice in this film which I found a smidge off-putting. Lovely woman though.