Picture Mommy Dead

Picture Mommy Dead

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1966
Founder	Bert I. Gordon (director)
Products	Psychological horror film

Picture Mommy Dead is a 1966 American psychological horror feature directed by Bert I. Gordon, featuring performances by Don Ameche, Martha Hyer, Susan Gordon, and Zsa Zsa Gabor. The story follows Susan Shelley, a young woman recently discharged from a psychiatric institution after the death of her mother, Jessica, as she faces disturbing occurrences within the family estate.

Plot

Jessica Flagmore Shelley, a wealthy socialite, perishes in a bedroom fire. Three years later, her daughter Susan is released from St. Marie's Convent and Hospital, deemed mentally stable but still deeply affected by her mother’s demise. Now living with her father Edward and stepmother Francene, Susan reconnects with her cousin Anthony Flagmore. She discovers that she stands to inherit a substantial fortune upon turning 25 and may reside in the Flagmore mansion, although its belongings are slated for auction to offset Edward’s financial setbacks. Privately, Francene suggests recommitting Susan to regain control over her trust fund, but Edward refuses.

Susan experiences disturbing visions, including one where she scratches a portrait of Jessica that seemingly bleeds and imagines her mother engulfed in flames. Convinced that Jessica was murdered and that clues remain hidden in the house, Susan investigates further. After being attacked by Anthony’s hawk, which she kills using a doll, she uncovers Jessica’s heirloom necklace inside the bird. Francene then impersonates Jessica to demand the necklace; Susan feigns mental deterioration, resulting in a violent confrontation. A dropped phone receiver allows Francene to overhear Anthony calling the police to accuse Susan of murder. Later, Francene and Anthony—who are secretly involved—conspire to seize Susan’s inheritance but argue; Francene kills Anthony with an antique fishing hook.

Francene accuses Susan of stealing the necklace, recalling the night Jessica died. Their conflict escalates into a chase that culminates with Susan knocking over a candle and setting the bed on fire. Edward puts out the flames; Francene awakens clutching the necklace and accuses Susan of killing both Jessica and Anthony. She threatens Edward with divorce unless he complies, but Edward admits to killing Jessica for Francene’s benefit. In a fit of rage, he strangles Francene as well. Susan recovers Jessica’s necklace from Francene and offers to assist Edward in hiding his crimes before setting the bedroom ablaze. Together, they exit the burning mansion united.

Production

Gene Tierney was originally announced for a principal role, with Hedy Lamarr cast alongside Don Ameche and Martha Hyer. However, Lamarr was replaced by Zsa Zsa Gabor after collapsing due to nervous exhaustion during production.

Box office

Picture Mommy Dead had its premiere in Roanoke, Virginia on September 29, 1966, followed by openings in New York City on November 2, 1966, and a wider release across Los Angeles in December. The film failed to perform well financially.

Critical response

Upon its New York debut, the movie received predominantly negative critiques. Dennis Schwartz assigned it a B- grade, describing it as a predictable yet somewhat entertaining B-grade horror film.

Home media

In October 2020, Kino Lorber released the movie on Blu-ray for the very first time.

See also

• List of American films of 1966

External links

• Official trailer on Vimeo
• Product page on Kino Lorber's website