Harold and Maude (1971)

Director:

Hal Ashby

Writer:

Colin Higgins (written by)

Release Date:

20 December 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

They will defy everything you've ever seen or heard about screen lovers! [Video]

Plot:

Young, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.

Plot Keywords:

Funeral | Suicide | Death | Fake Suicide | Obsessed With Death

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Ruth Gordon	...	Maude
Bud Cort	...	Harold
Vivian Pickles	...	Mrs. Chasen
Cyril Cusack	...	Glaucus
Charles Tyner	...	Uncle Victor
Ellen Geer	...	Sunshine Doré
Eric Christmas	...	Priest
G. Wood	...	Psychiatrist
Judy Engles	...	Candy Gulf
Shari Summers	...	Edith Phern
Tom Skerritt	...	Motorcycle Officer (as M. Borman)
Susan Madigan	...	Girlfriend
Ray K. Goman	...	Police Officer (as Ray Goman)
Gordon Devol	...	Police Officer (as Gordon DeVol)
Harvey Brumfield	...	Police Officer

Also Known As:

Ensina-me a Viver (Brazil) (Portugal) [pt]
Harold et Maude (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
Harold e Maude (Italy) [it]
Harold i Maude (Poland) [pl]
Harold ja Maude (Finland) [fi]
Harold kai Maude (Greece) (festival title) [el]
Harold og Maude (Denmark) [da]
Harold und Maude (West Germany) [de]
Harold ve Maude (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Harold y Maude (Joven chalado millonario seduce a vieja chiflada) (Spain) [es]
Ta trella kapritsia tou Harold (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

West Germany:18 (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:18 (2005) | USA:Approved (No. 23028) | USA:TV-14 (TV rating) | Australia:M | Canada:14A | Finland:K-16 | Ireland:15 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Berkeley, California, USA

Company:

Mildred Lewis and Colin Higgins Productions

Trivia:

Colin Higgins was originally to direct Harold and Maude, but production was soon canceled. A couple of months later, production resumed when Hal Ashby was to direct.

Goofs:

Continuity: About 50 minutes into the film, when Maude is doing donuts around the officer, the driver-side window of the truck is alternately up/down between shots.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Mrs. Chasen: [after spotting Harold hanging from a noose in the living room] I suppose you think that's very funny, Harold... Oh, dinner at eight, Harold. And do try and be a little more vivacious.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Six Feet Under: Knock, Knock (#1.13)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

I Think I See The Light

A classic.

This art house favorite is a timeless classic and recommended viewing for all post-Catcher In the Rye teenagers. To modern viewers, the Ruth Gordon creation of Maude probably seems trite, but her Maude was fresh, original and daring in 1970 and the pre-Sophie's Choice twist in her history that Harold discovers was likewise unanticipated by early viewers. Unfortunately, Ruth Gordon went on to recreate this character in lesser films throughout that decade and the character of the eccentric old lady has become rather shopworn.

The Cat Stevens soundtrack is probably one of the most effective use of pop music in film ever.