Something for Everyone (1970)

Something for Everyone: Directed by Harold Prince. With Angela Lansbury, Michael York, Anthony Higgins, Heidelinde Weis. In post-war Austria, young, handsome country lad, Konrad Ludwig (Michael York), charms his way into a butler position at the castle of the widowed (and destitute) countess von Ornstein (Angela Lansbury). Soon, the young man’s running the entire household – and the bedrooms, as well. As he starts affairs with the countess’ son, Helmuth (Anthony Higgins), and Anneliese Pleschke (Heidelinde Weis), the daughter of wealthy businessman, Herr Pleschke (John Gill). From this, Konrad decides to get his 2 lovers to marry each other, and restore the countess’ finances.

“Once upon a time there was a young, handsome, fair-haired commoner who dreamed of being a young, handsome, fair-haired prince. In fact, while the Britisher is bicycling through Austria, he sees the very castle described in the fairy tale picture book his mother gave him when he was young, and that he now carries with him at all times. Encouraged by this vision of splendour, the young drifter sets out to fulfill his lifeu0026#39;s dream.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003enDoesnu0026#39;t this sound like a lovely, whimsical, touchingly optimistic tale about believing in oneu0026#39;s destiny and having the courage to seek it out? Normally, yes. But in the hands of director Hal Prince, this darkly comic tale takes another direction altogether. Michael York plays the clever, enigmatic young opportunist who is willing to seduce, charm, outmaneuver, even murder whoever he has to in order to become u0026quot;king of the castle.u0026quot;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe afore-mentioned domain is inhabited by none other than the Countess Von Ornstein (the wonderfully eccentric Angela Lansbury) and her brood. The widow has fallen on hard times since the death of her husband and realizes she must marry into money once again to return to her former glory. But with a homosexual son and chubby, homely young teenage daughter left to carry on the family dynasty, prospects look truly abysmal.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTo say any more would be a dastardly move on my part. Suffice it to say that the sharp, highly astute performances alone make this seldom-seen little gem worthwhile. There are enough twists and turns to keep things compelling from start to finish. Director Prince takes full advantage as well of the breathtaking Bavarian landscape.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eYork, as Konrad, has seldom had a meatier role as he first becomes a footman to the castle, then proceeds to eliminate all the other human elements that interfer with his rise to the social top. Lansbury steals every scene she is in, while given a number of deliciously wry monologues to remind viewers that the Jessica Fletcher character she played in u0026quot;Murder She Wroteu0026quot; was a popular move but a real step down. Jane Carr, who the year before gave a touching, timorous performance as the ill-fated student in u0026quot;The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,u0026quot; does a 100% turnaround here as the dry, sardonic u0026quot;plain Janeu0026quot; daughter who is wise to Yorku0026#39;s game from the very start. And Anthony Higgins as the smitten gay son and Heidelinde Weis as an amorous young heiress are quite effective as two of Konradu0026#39;s romantic pawns.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu0026quot;Something for Everyoneu0026quot; definitely HAS something for everyone. A real find in my book.”