MFAH Film – Movies Houstonians Love: The Loved One (Introduced by architect Jim Furr)

Often surprising and always intriguing, Movies Houstonians Love has become one of the Museum’s most popular film series.

Over the past decade, more than 60 local luminaries from different fields—the arts, politics, sports, education, restaurants, medicine, and beyond—have shared anecdotes from their personal moviegoing histories, and then taken a seat to enjoy the incomparable experience of watching the film on the big screen, with an audience.

This year, each presenter has chosen a favorite comedy.

The 2015–16 season opens on September 28 with Ken Hoffman, the highly entertaining Houston Chronicle columnist. The next two months bring architect Jim Furr on October 26; and Stephanie Saint Sanchez, Señorita Cinema founder, on November 23.

Save the dates for these memorable Monday night screenings! The lineup continues monthly through April, so check back for additional presenters, film descriptions, and tickets.

The Loved One

Directed by Tony Richardson
1965, USA
B/W, 122 minutes
35mm

Introduced by architect Jim Furr.

The Loved One—advertised as “The motion picture with something to offend everyone!”—is a famously outlandish farce.

Robert Morse stars as English poet Dennis Barlow, who ends up in Hollywood arranging the funeral of his uncle (John Gielgud). While searching for morticians, Barlow gets a job at a pet cemetery competing with a mortuary run by Jonathan Winters.

The various schemes, scams, and lack of concern by morticians for both humans and pets are revealed in all their callous glories.

Based on a satiric novel by Evelyn Waugh, with a screenplay by Christopher Isherwood (Cabaret) and Terry Southern (Dr. Strangelove), The Loved One also features Milton Berle, Anjanette Comer, Tab Hunter, and Liberace.

About the Speaker
James E. Furr, FAIA, an architect in Houston for nearly 45 years, served as managing principal of Gensler’s Houston office and the South Central region for 20 years. Now, as managing principal emeritus, his focus is on client relationships, community service, and mentoring. Furr earned a bachelor of architecture degree at Louisiana State University and is a member of the American Institute of Architects, serving as president of the Houston chapter in 1994. He is involved in local organizations including the Urban Land Institute, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, and Rice Design Alliance.