MovieChat Forums > The Loved One (1965) Discussion > One of the Best of the 'Black' Comedies

One of the Best of the 'Black' Comedies

posted 19 years ago by agwaurora
4 replies | jump to latest

Why is there such a delay in getting this on DVD?

I have a tape which I play every so often. I never tire of this movie.

The cast is fantastic, including many great actors/actresses who are now deceased. The humor is outstanding ("I have to get these stiffs off my property!).

The original novel by Evelyn Waugh is hilarious. The movie is true to the novel (a rare occurence in Hollywood). It is an out-and-out satire about the bereavement "industry" (yes, it IS a business) with something to offend most everyone... although I was laughing too much to be offended.

Among the sparkling performances is a magnificent tour de force by Rod Steiger as Mr. JoyBoy. We should ALL meet him when our turn comes on the slab.

[–] spearsdw 19 years ago

Yes, I agree! I too treasure my VHS copy. The movie's definitely deserving of a DVD release

I have a fondness for dark humor and The Loved One is a favorite of mine. What's not to love about the magnificently grotesque Mrs. Joyboy, or the glorious tackiness of Whispering Glades? It's an excellent satire on American culture.

You're right about the cast. I love Milton Berle and Margaret Leighton as the dysfunctional rich couple, and Liberace as the casket salesman. And of course, Jonathan Winters in his dual role - really a great performance.

One favorite scene: the Guru Brahmin's assistant reading Aimee's letter to the Guru - " '...and tonight he tried to BLANK-BLANK with me.'"

[–] freudified_n_funkified 19 years ago

Being a fan of Evelyn Waugh and the original book, I'm an even bigger Terry Southern fan and what he did with the material. Wow. Call me crazy, but I rank this one right up there with Dr. Strangelove (another one Southern polluted to fantastic heights) as some of the best black comedy/satire ever.

"Mama's little Joyboy wants lobster lobster,
Mama's little Joyboy's got lobster for Mom."

Creepy.

I wonder if John Waters was paying attention to the Joyboy family sequences. Feels like he might have been.

[–] walterfive 17 years ago

Oooh! I thought the same thing! Mrs. Joyboy reminded me so much of the Egg Lady in Pink Flamingos (wasn't it?) that it seemed that Waters must have intended her to be a homage.

[–] wallydanger 17 years ago

There's a scene in The Beatle's Magical Mystery Tour, based on a dream John had (after seeing The Loved One, no doubt), where John serves the huge Fat Lady spaghetti with a shovel. The Fat Lady just can't get enough.

Then there's the scene in The Magic Christain with Guy Grand (Peter Sellers) in an exclusive restaraunt, being outrageously glutonous and then being hosed down.

Yes, The Loved One should be seen more and gain the reputation it deserves for being one of the best comedies of the 1960's.

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