When his directing test didn’t pan out, the studio brought in Hal Ashby, who had recently directed “The Landlord.” 20, Variety spoke to those who were there – Paramount executive and former Variety editor Peter Bart, producer Charles Mulvehill, and actress Ellen Geer – along with those it touched, including Karaszewski and “Passing” star Tessa Thompson, who treasures it so much she named her production company Viva Maude.Ĭolin Higgins workshopped the story for “Harold and Maude” while he was driving the daughter of producers Ed and Mildred Lewis to school. To celebrate the anniversary of the release of “Harold and Maude” on Dec. Today, “Harold and Maude’ continues to resonate with viewers of all ages who feel a natural kinship with misfits and oddballs, and many claim it has changed their lives forever.
Though Higgins, who died in 1988, was passed over to direct “Harold and Maude,” he went on to direct hits like “9 to 5” and “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” Ashby, who also died in 1988, was Oscar-nominated for “Coming Home” and lauded for “Shampoo” and “Being There,” though many feel he never got the recognition he deserved. There had been midnight movies before it, like ‘El Topo,’ as well as stoner movies that played midnight shows, but ‘Harold and Maude’ became this thing where just audiences saw it over and over and over again,” says “Ed Wood” screenwriter Larry Karaszewski, who provides a commentary track along with super-fan Cameron Crowe for Paramount Home Video’s new 50th anniversary Blu-Ray release. “It really kind of became, I hesitate to say, the first cult film. Yet over time, it slowly caught on as a repertory theater staple, becoming a ‘70s touchstone and finally recouping its budget several years later. Released with almost no marketing on the same date “The Godfather” was supposed to premiere, “Harold and Maude” flopped spectacularly in its initial release. Director Hal Ashby fought the establishment at every turn, nearly getting the production shut down.
The idea for the film was hatched by Colin Higgins, a UCLA film student who lucked into a job cleaning the pool of a producer and ended up selling his script to Paramount.
But 50 years on, the touching, droll and subversive story of a troubled teenager, played by Bud Cort, who falls in love with a nearly 80-year old free spirit, played by Ruth Gordon, still feels fresh and funny. Making “ Harold and Maude” wasn’t easy, and releasing it to the general public was even harder. And it was the comedy Variety called “as much fun as a burning orphanage.” A movie you had to show your girlfriend or boyfriend so they understood you.
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