Arriving in California to visit his distant uncle Sir Francis Hinsley (John Gielgud), young English poet Dennis Barlow (Robert Morse) takes a job at the Happier Hunting Ground, a pet cemetery.
When his uncle commits suicide, Dennis finds himself drawn into the bizarre world of mortuaries and morticians.
An outrageous, scathing black comedy about the business of death and life in Southern California, this hip adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s 1948 novel is sick humour at its best.
Rod Steiger is shudderingly awful as the mortician Mr Joyboy (pictured above), but spot-on cameos from James Coburn, Liberace and Lionel Stander just about compensate.
Dennis Barlow Robert Morse Wilbur Glenworthy/Harry Glenworthy
Jonathan Winters Mr Joyboy
Rod Steiger Aimee Thanatogenos
Anjanette Comer General Brinkman
Dana Andrews Mr Kenton
Milton Berle Sir Francis Hinsley
John Gielgud Immigration Officer
James Coburn DJ Jnr
Roddy McDowall Guide
Tab Hunter Mr Starker
Liberace Sir Ambrose Abercrombie
Robert Morley Mrs Kenton
Margaret Leighton Sadie Blodgett
Barbara Nichols Guru Brahmin/Hump
Lionel Stander Joyboy’s mother
Ayllene Gibbons DJ Jnr’s secretary
Asa Maynor Gunther Fry
Paul H. Williams Lorenzo Medici
Martin Ransohoff Mr Bogaloff
John Bleifer Mrs Bogaloff
Bella Bruck
Director
Tony Richardson
Video
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