I just did a random search on one of my Favorite Movies (which was out of print on VHS for the longest time) which up til now was almost impossible to get.


THE LOVED ONE

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.

I recall laughing at the outrageousness of this movie. It start like everyone and their mother

Cast List

Robert Morse as Dennis Barlow
Anjanette Comer as Aimee Thanatogenous
Robert Morley as Sir Ambrose Ambercrombie
Lionel Stander as The Guru Brahmin
Bernie Kopell as Assistant to the Guru Brahmin
Paul Williams as Gunther Fry
Jonathan Winters as Henry Glenworthy/Rev. Wilbur Glenworthy
Tab Hunter as Whispering Glades Tour Guide
Liberace as Mr. Starker
Ayllene Gibbons as Joyboy's mother
Rod Steiger as Mr. Joyboy
Jamie Farr as Waiter at English Club
Milton Byrle
Roddy McDowell

It's definitely a Black Comedy. I just remember OUTSTANDING performances of Rod Steiger as DR Joyboy (A Mortician...who prepares the "loved Ones") who like the children and has a very odd relationship with his Mother, who basically lays in bed all day watch TV esp the food commercails...SHE'S a HOOT!

And Liberace as the guy who prepares the Clothes and Coffins of the "Loved Ones" "ANd here we have the graddaddy of coffins ...it's moisture proof!"

ANd Jonathan Winters playing a dual role...quite excellent.

I cannot recommend this movie more...it's just insane and brilliant at the same time.

ANd finally comes out on DVD on June 20.

This is one of my favorite movies of all time!

applekisses said:

"WOuld that be Propane or Butane?"

"What's the difference?"

"Propane is bluer"

"perpetual eternal or standard eternal?"

"Um I do.."

"With standard eternal, the flame gets turned off during business hours...Perpetual, we keep it on 24/7"

"I think Perpetual would suffice"

"Good...Splendid"

"It's time for King Chicken!"

What year is this from?

minneapolisgenius said:

1965 I think.

How did you see this originally?

u2prnce said:

I had a friend who was a VCR/Cable JUNKIE. He'd get the Cable Mag and go through it and pick all kinds of movies to tape there would be at least 7 things in the cue at all times.

It's how I got into ABfab, Preston Sturges, The Loved One, And many many other movies.

superspaceboy said:

I had a friend like a few years ago. He had tapes of every obscure movie from tv.

I've never seen this. Sounds intriguing.

superspaceboy said:

Cool.