The Loved One is a 1965 black-and-white satirical comedy film about the funeral business in Los Angeles, based on The Loved One: An Anglo-American Tragedy (1948), a short satirical novel by Evelyn Waugh. It was directed by British filmmaker Tony Richardson, and the screenplaywhich also drew on Jessica Mitford's book The American Way of Death (1963)was written by noted American satirical novelist Terry Southern and British author Christopher Isherwood. The film stars Robert Morse, Jonathan Winters, Anjanette Comer, Paul Williams and Rod Steiger. Among those making appearances in smaller roles are John Gielgud, Robert Morley, Roddy McDowall, James Coburn, Milton Berle, Dana Andrews, Tab Hunter, and Liberace. Plot Young Englishman Dennis Barlow wins an airline ticket and visits his uncle Sir Francis Hinsley in Los Angeles. Hinsley has worked as a production staffer at a major Hollywood studio for more than thirty years. His employer, D.J. Jr., fires him, despite the old man's faithful service. Hinsley hangs himself as a result. Dennis is swayed by a prominent English expatriate to spend most of the money from his uncle's estate on a prestigious burial at Whispering Glades cemetery and mortuary. There, he meets and becomes infatuated with Aimée Thanatogenos, a hopelessly naive and idealistic cosmetician who says she was named after Aimee Semple McPherson. Chief embalmer Mr. Joyboy is attracted to her. Although she respects him professionally, Aimée has no romantic feelings for him. Somewhat overwhelmed by the services offered at Whispering Glades, Dennis is led through them by Mr. Starker, a Whispering Glades "counselor". Aimée's idol is the Reverend Wilbur Glenworthy, owner of Whispering Glades. Aimée worships the solemn and pious reverend, but in private he is a calculating businessman who regards the cemetary as just a business venture. To raise money, Dennis begins working at Happier Hunting Grounds, a local pet cemetery run by the reverend's twin brother Henry Glenworthy. Dennis courts Aimée with poetry, which fascinates her, though she fails to recognize the famous verses. When Aimée asks whether Dennis wrote these passages, he changes the subject. Dennis dares not let Aimée find out where he works because she considers the pet cemetery sacrilegious. Aimée is increasingly frustrated by Dennis' cynical and disrespectful attitude toward Whispering Glades. She is shocked at his suggestion that they marry and live on her income when she gets a promotion. Acting on advice from "Guru Brahmin," (actually a drunken newspaper staff writer),