Saturday matinée — Mr Joyboy

Here’s a joy and a delight, a clip from the 1965 movie, The Loved One, adapted from the novel by Evelyn Waugh, a book which sits on every deathie’s bedside table. Mr Joyboy is played by Rod Steiger, Miss Thanatogenos by Anjanette Comer. The director was Tony Richardson

5 mins

‘But Mr Joyboy, you’ve given him the Radiant Childhood Smile.’

‘Yes, don’t you like it?’

‘Oh, I like it, of course, but his Waiting One did not ask for it.’

‘Miss Thanatogenos, for you the Loved Ones just naturally smile.’

‘Oh, Mr Joyboy.’

‘It’s true, Miss Thanatogenos.  It seems I am just powerless to prevent it.  When I am working for you there’s something inside me says, “He’s on his way to Miss Thanatogenos” and my fingers just seem to take control.  Haven’t you noticed it?’