Something for Everyone (Black Flowers for the Bride) (1970) – Nostalgia Central

Described as “a comedy of evil”, this entertaining film has one of those utterly amoral stories which are so rarely seen on our screens. Bizarre yet beguiling, and played against a baroque background, it is high comedy, witty and sophisticated.

Countess Herthe von Ornstein (Angela Lansbury) is an aristocratic widow, head of an impoverished Bavarian household, who – unable to manage the upkeep of the family castle – lives with her teenage children Helmuth and Lotte in a hunting lodge on the estate.

The Castle Ornstein looks like something out of a fairy tale with its turrets, gables and battlements set against a backdrop of towering mountains . . . and it completely fascinates the handsome Conrad (Michael York), a young man with a mysterious past.

Conrad is charming, but evil with it, and he plans to win the castle and the Countess for himself.

His first move is to push the Countess’ footman Rudolph (Klaus Havenstein) under the wheels of a moving train, thus securing the dead man’s position on the household staff.

He then sets out to win the confidence of the Countess’s children, Helmuth (Anthony Corlan) and Lotte (Jane Carr), and succeeds.

He also wins the affection of Annaliese Pleschke (Heidelinde Weis), daughter of an immensely wealthy nouveau riche couple (John Gill and Eva Maria Meineke) holidaying at the resort of Ornstein.

The Pleschkes are greatly impressed by the grandeur of the Countess’ title and by the elaborate party (a highlight of the film) which she throws in their honour.

They are anxious to buy the Castle Ornstein as a symbol of their new wealth . . . and Conrad then sees the advantage of marrying Annaliese off to Helmuth, for the Pleschkes’ money would then come under the control
of the Countess’ son as husband of their daughter.

The marriage takes place, but Conrad soon runs into snags, which he deals with ruthlessly . . . until an unexpected one gives a wry twist to the culminating sequence.

The film has great panache, and it portrays the faded glories of a fast-vanishing Habsburg Empire most convincingly.

Angela Lansbury plays the Countess with style and elan, her magnificent walk through the rooms of the castle being a delight to watch. Michael York is a little lightweight for Conrad, but his fine voice is a joy to listen to.

Anthony Corlan makes a very promising debut as Helmuth – who is far more attracted to Conrad than he is to Annaliese – and in particular, Jane Carr (the chubby little Mary McGregor in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, who took Miss Brodie at her word and died for her faithfulness) gives a brilliant performance as the knowing “awful child” Lotte.

Countess Herthe von Ornstein
Angela Lansbury
Conrad Ludwig
Michael York
Helmuth Von Ornstein
Anthony Corlan
Lotte Von Ornstein
Jane Carr
Annaliese Pleschke
Heidelinde Weis
Mrs Pleschke
Eva Maria Meineke
Mr Pleschke
John Gill
Klaus
Wolfrid Lier
Rudolph
Klaus Havenstein
Father Georg
Walter Janssen
Bobby
Despo Diamantidou
Waitress
Enzi Fuchs
Schoenfeld
Erland Erlandsen
Carl
Hans Pössenbacher
Princess Palamir
Hilde Weissner
Cook
Hela Gruel
Scullery Boy
Marius Aicher
Station Master
Mogens von Gadow
General
James Hurley
Elderly Man
Ernst Ziegler

Director
Harold Prince

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