Watch Lord Love a Duck

Lord Love a Duck is a 1966 American satirical black comedy film directed by George Axelrod and starring Roddy McDowall, Tuesday Weld, and Lola Albright. It tells a story about a high school student, Alan "Mollymauk" Musgrave, who seems to have it all: he is handsome, intelligent, popular, and well-liked by everyone. However, he is also manipulative and devious, and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Alan meets Barbara Ann Greene, a new student at his school who is immediately drawn to him. Barbara Ann is a naive and innocent girl who becomes enamored with Alan, and from here on, the story turns into a dark satire that explores the many twisted ways in which people manipulate each other to get what they want.

Alan is a master of manipulation, and he soon begins to develop an elaborate plan to take over the school and become the most popular person in it. He uses Barbara Ann to do this, convincing her to follow his every command, and then manipulating her into seducing and blackmailing people, including a wealthy businessman, a school guidance counselor, and a local minister.

The film's black humor is mostly centered around the absurdity of the situations, and the ways in which the characters are taken in by Alan's sinister schemes. Tuesday Weld is particularly effective as Barbara Ann, giving a nuanced performance that balances her character's sweetness with a dark undercurrent of manipulation and exploitation.

Throughout the film, the characters speak in a sarcastic and cynical tone, providing a commentary on the meaninglessness of modern life – corporate culture, authority figures, social hierarchies and moral codes. The film's critique of social norms shows a society that worships status, money, and power over genuine human connections, further highlighting the satirical nature of the narrative.

The film's production design is particularly noteworthy, with bright and colorful sets that contrast with the film's darker themes. The music score by Neal Hefti also is particularly memorable, with a jazz-pop sound that is both catchy and satirical.

Despite its satirical and outrageous tone, Lord Love a Duck ultimately reveals itself to be a poignant meditation on the human cost of social conformity and the importance of authentic human connection over superficial social hierarchies.

In conclusion, Lord Love a Duck is a dark satirical comedy that explores the ways in which people use each other to gain status and power. It is an absurd and outrageous film, but it has a deeper message about the importance of authenticity and connection in a society that values status and power above all else. The film features excellent performances by Roddy McDowall, Tuesday Weld, and Lola Albright, and it is well worth watching for its bold style and daring critique of social norms.