The novel:
- And You Thought It Would Fail: Waugh was nervous about publishing the novel in America, figuring that Forest Lawn would try to sue him for defamation, but nothing of the sort happened and the book was successful.
The film:
- Crosses the Line Twice: Frequently, especially where the pet cemetery is concerned.
- Ensemble Dark Horse: Joyboy doesn't get all that much screentime, but Rod Steiger's wonderfully bizarre portrayal of him is the most memorable part of the film.
- He Really Can Act: Everyone who's seen the film seems to agree that Liberace does a great job in his brief appearance as an unctuous casket salesman.
- Older Than They Think: With its nebbishy, quietly rebellious young protagonist trying to cope with the absurdities of life in Los Angeles, it plays like a predecessor to The Graduate at times.
- One-Scene Wonder: Again, Liberace.Starker: Oh, you'll be the death of me, Mr. Barlow!
- Retroactive Recognition: Several familiar faces from 70s-80s American television show up here: Lionel Stander (Max) as The Guru Brahmin, Bernie Kopell (Doc) as his assistant, and Jamie Farr (Klinger) as a waiter.
- Spiritual Successor: Terry Southern's writing contributions continued the irreverent satire he brought to Dr. Strangelove. He even re-used the concept of a military commander named Buck. Tony Richardson clearly takes a lot of his directorial cues here from Stanley Kubrick's work on Strangelove and Lolita.
- The Woobie: Aimée comes off much more likable in the film, so her ultimate fate is a bit saddening.
