Something for Everyone
Something for Everyone is a 1970 American black comedy film directed by Harold Prince in his cinematic directorial debut, starring Angela Lansbury as the widowed Countess Herthe von Ornstein and Michael York as the ambitious footman Konrad Ludwig.[1][2] The story, loosely adapted from Harry Kressing's 1965 novel The Cook, centers on Konrad's calculated rise from humble origins to influence within the countess's impoverished aristocratic household in post-war Austria, employing seduction, manipulation, and murder to orchestrate marriages and restore the family's castle and fortune.[1][3] Set against the economic hardships following World War II, the film depicts Konrad juggling romantic entanglements with the countess's son and a wealthy businessman's daughter while eliminating obstacles through cunning schemes, all rendered in a stylized, macabre fairy-tale manner that blends operatic flair with mordant wit.[1][2] Lansbury's performance as the imperious yet vulnerable countess, alongside York's portrayal of the ruthlessly opportunistic protagonist, anchors the narrative's exploration of class ambition, sexual opportunism, and familial dysfunction, elements that proved bold and risqué for mainstream audiences in 1970 due to explicit homosexual themes and casual violence.[3][2] Though initially overlooked commercially, Something for Everyone has earned retrospective acclaim as a cult classic for Prince's audacious transition from Broadway to screen, its sharp satirical edge on European aristocracy, and the ensemble's committed portrayals, including Anthony Higgins as the countess's son and Heidelinde Weis as the businessman's daughter.[1][2] The production, filmed on location in Bavaria, highlighted Prince's theatrical sensibility through elaborate sets and Hugh Wheeler's screenplay, contributing to its enduring appeal among admirers of dark European-style comedies.[3][1]Production
Background and Development
Something for Everyone originated from the 1965 novel The Cook by Harry Kressing, which depicts a cunning servant's rise in a decaying aristocratic household through manipulation and murder in post-World War II Austria.[3][4] The screenplay, written by Hugh Wheeler, adapted the source material while amplifying elements of sexual intrigue and moral ambiguity, shifting the protagonist's motivations to include explicit homosexual seduction alongside heterosexual dalliances not as prominent in the book.[4] Broadway luminary Harold Prince, fresh from directing hits like Cabaret (1966), transitioned to film with this project as his feature directorial debut, aiming to translate his stage expertise in concept musicals to a satirical black comedy format.[5] Production development files date to 1968, with principal photography occurring in Austria to authentically evoke the novel's rural, war-ravaged setting, under producer John Flaxman and with musical contributions from John Kander for the score.[6][7] The title change to Something for Everyone underscored the film's ironic premise of the scheming butler fulfilling diverse desires—financial, romantic, and carnal—for the countess's family and associates, diverging from the novel's more straightforward suspense.[8]Casting and Crew
The film was directed by Harold Prince, a renowned Broadway theater director making his feature film debut with Something for Everyone.[1] Prince, known for productions like West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof, brought his stage expertise to helm the adaptation.[9] John Flaxman served as producer, overseeing the project under United Artists.[9] The screenplay was penned by Hugh Wheeler, adapted from Harry Kressing's 1965 novel The Cook.[9] Wheeler, a Tony Award-winning playwright, structured the script around themes of class manipulation and opportunism.[10] Key technical crew included cinematographer Walter Lassally, who captured the film's Bavarian locations in Eastmancolor, and editor Ralph Rosenblum, handling the satirical pacing.[9] Casting emphasized theatrical performers for the black comedy's exaggerated roles. Angela Lansbury led as the widowed Countess Herthe von Ornstein, a role showcasing her versatility beyond Murder, She Wrote.[1] Michael York portrayed the ambitious footman Konrad Ludwig, drawing on his rising star status from The Three Musketeers.[1] Anthony Higgins played the countess's son Helmuth von Ornstein, contributing to the film's exploration of familial tensions.[1]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Angela Lansbury | Countess Herthe von Ornstein |
| Michael York | Konrad Ludwig |
| Anthony Higgins | Helmuth von Ornstein |
| Heidelinde Weis | Anneliese Pleschke |
| Jane Carr | Ursula von Ornstein |