Compared to them, the MacBeths were just plain folks and the Borgias were a nice Italian family.

Based on a novel by Harry Kressing, Something for Everyone must hold some sort of record for having the largest number of unsympathetic characters within a single film. Mercenary layabout Michael York talks himself into a footman's job at the estate of dissipated countess Angela Lansbury. In his efforts to advance himself socially and monetarily, York stops at nothing--including murder. He is eventually roasted on his own spit, courtesy of Lansbury's gross, ugly daughter Jane Carr. Guiding the debauched destinies of the characters is none other than Broadway luminary Harold Prince. The film has also been released as The Rook and Black Flowers for the Bride.

Something for Everyone is a black comedy starring Angela Lansbury, Michael York, Anthony Higgins, and Jane Carr.

The film was based on the novel The Cook by Harry Kressing, with the screenplay written by Hugh Wheeler. Directed by Harold Prince for Cinema Center Films, the film began shooting on 30 June 1969[1] and was originally released by National General Pictures in July 1970. Lansbury was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

In the UK, the film was retitled Black Flowers for the Bride (subtitle: A Comedy of Evil) and released in May 1971.[2] In 1990, a VHS of the film was issued.

A handsome young stranger, Konrad, is fascinated by a castle in an Austrian town. He tries to get a job working for Countess Herthe von Ornstein, who inherited it from her late husband, but due to financial difficulties the castle is closed.

Konrad schemes to become a chauffeur to the rich but gauche Pleschkes, seducing their beautiful daughter Anneliese. He then plots the death of a kindly employee of the Countess so that he can take the man's place.

Helmuth, a shy and attractive young man, and Lotte, a plain and annoying girl, are the Countess's children. Helmuth is gay and becomes Konrad's lover. Also continuing to see Anneliese on the side, Konrad comes to the Countess with a plot to have her son marry Anneliese, thereby obtaining a rich dowry from the Pleschkes that will enable her to reopen the castle.

The marriage occurs, but the honeymoon is a disaster. The scheme is about to fall apart when Konrad saves the day in his own diabolical way. The Countess herself becomes his new romantic interest, but another twist of fate awaits Konrad in the end.


Young Conrad Ludwig, bicycling through the Bavarian Alps, comes upon the Castle Ornstein. Conrad, who longs to live in a castle, immediately sets out to ingratiate himself with the Countess von Ornstein, whose noble title belies her dwindling finances. He becomes acquainted with Rudolf, the von Ornstein's footman, and after getting him thoroughly drunk, pushes him in front of a train; the enterprising young man is soon hired as Rudolf's replacement. Three obstacles remain in his path: the countess's son Helmuth, her obese daughter Lotte, and Klaus, the faithful butler. Conrad seduces Helmuth, but they are observed by Klaus, who threatens to inform the countess. When Conrad denounces him as a neo-Nazi, Klaus is exiled from the town, and Conrad replaces him as butler. For his next move, Conrad arranges a marriage between Helmuth and Annaliese Pleschke, the daughter of wealthy American tourists. After the marriage Annaliese discovers Conrad and Helmuth embracing and threatens to expose her husband and his lover. While taking the Pleschke family for a scenic drive, Conrad drives the car over a cliff, leaping to safety at the last moment. Lotte, who has observed Conrad's intrigues, blackmails him into marrying her, thus blocking his final move toward the countess.

Release Date: July 20, 1970


Distrib: National General Pictures