Picture Mommy Dead (1966)

After spending years in a convent after witnessing the death of her mother a young woman named Susan is released to her father and his new wife.  Thru a series of flashbacks the audience is let in on the mystery surrounding the death of Susan’s mother in a terrible fire.  Susan doesn’t remember what happened, only that it was something terrible that she has blocked out.  Her situation isn’t helped by the fact that her stepmother wants Susan either dead or declared insane so she can get Susan’s inheritance.  Eventually Susan regains her memory as her stepmother’s plans for her money unravel around her.  This is all topped off with a surprising and unexpected twist and a resulting father daughter relationship that is creepy as hell!

I never knew that Bert I. Gordon did movies like this.  But after seeing both this one and Tormented I’m an even bigger fan of his work now.  The plot here isn’t original and follows a predictable formula, but it does have a few clever twists.  I will say that as much as I liked the movie it is a bit cheesy and silly at times.  But for me this only makes the movie more fun to watch.  I can’t really say anything more than that without spoiling things, which I won’t.   The cast is strong and includes director Gordon’s daughter Susan in the lead role of well Susan.  She is a very good actress and manages a very difficult role with a realistic performance.  Don Ameche is also great as her father.  Zsa Zsa Gabor isn’t really a great choice to play Susan’s mother, but she doesn’t have much screen time so it doesn’t hurt the movie at all.  The rest of the cast is made up of veteran actors that are mostly unknown to a modern audience. 

Technically this is a well made, but not spectacular movie.  The camera work and lighting are all pedestrian, but acceptable.  Nearly the entire movie takes place at a single mansion and it’s surrounding grounds.  I’m sure this was done to control costs, but it feels somewhat limiting at times.  Still for a lower budget movie I can’t complain. 

So I really dig this movie.  I would of never of expected a film like this from Bert I. Gordon, who is much better known for films like The Amazing Colossal Man and Food of the Gods.  But this movie is just as much fun as those, only in a different way.  There isn’t an official release of this movie on DVD.  But if you can find a copy somewhere or catch it on your local late night movie show (like I did) then I highly recommend checking it out.  I would be shocked if you were disappointed.

3 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer

© Copyright 2008 John Shatzer