Majorthebys Charming and brutal

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Skyler Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

MARIO GAUCI The inheritance of a wicked woman who expired mysteriously in a fire is contended by her alternately scheming, resentful and disturbed surviving family members. After years pillaging the Sci-Fi genre, the director turns his attention this time out to the 'Grand Guignol'-type thrillers popularized by Robert Aldrich's WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962); to his credit, Gordon's contribution – though essentially dreary – is no worse than most efforts in this vein…but therein lies the problem, for we have all been here once too often. Typically, we have a fine cast letting their hair down, in this case: Don Ameche (as the patriarch), Martha Hyer (as his daughter's governess, whom he loves), Wendell Corey (possibly inebriated judging from his slurred delivery of lines!) as the family lawyer, Signe Hasso (as the nun who raised Ameche's traumatized daughter), Zsa Zsa Gabor (as Ameche's late, egotistical wife) and Anna Lee (as a society matron). Also involved in the sinister goings-on are the director's own daughter Susan (the progeny of Ameche and Gabor) and menacing, facially-scarred butler Maxwell Reed. Interestingly, the film starts with Gabor's death which is elaborated upon intermittently throughout the film in red-tinted flashbacks and comes full circle with history repeating itself…only with a different, if equally deceitful, victim this time around. Apparently, Gene Tierney and Hedy Lamarr were considered for the roles eventually played by Hyer and Gabor!

Michael_Elliott Picture Mommy Dead (1966) * 1/2 (out of 4)Boring horror film about a teen (Susan Gordon) who gets released from a mental hospital a short time after seeing her mom (Zsa Zsa Gabor) burned to death. Upon her release, her father (Don Ameche) and his new wife (Martha Hyer) appear to be trying to help the girl before she starts to unravel after seeing visions of her mother. Is the teen cracking up or is something trying to drive her crazy? This was directed by Bert I. Gordon, the man behind those giant bug movies and it's clear to see early on that he wasn't the right man for the job. I'm not going to place all of the blame on Gordon but there's no doubt that he adds very little to the material but then again the material itself is rather weak. The majority of the movie consists of two people standing around talking about the past, present and the future. The two people scenario is constant throughout the film with the only thing changing is which two people are doing the talking. These dialogue scenes are so poorly shot that you can't help but grow tired of them very quickly. Gordon doesn't add any life to them as the camera just stays flat and never doing anything. The entire surprise of what actually happened reaches the point where you really don't care and that's never good for a film like this. The performances aren't that bad with Ameche at least trying to deliver something worth while. I thought Gordon was also good in her part but the screenplay certainly didn't offer her much. Hyer and Maxwell Reed are also good in their roles. PICTURE MOMMY DEAD has a good title but that's pretty much it. It's another one of those horror-thrillers that followed PSYCHO but could never reach as high.

Neil Doyle PICTURE MOMMY DEAD had the potential to be more than a little potboiler. Photographed handsomely in Pathe color amid elaborate settings, its look is far beyond that of the average programmer.But two things defeat it: an absurd plot and a dreadful performance by Susan Gordon in the central role as the traumatized victim of a horrible murder scene.The adults are a little over-the-top in performing--especially Don Ameche, Martha Hyer (looking very glamorous), and Maxwell Reed. No doubt they knew the melodramatic material was so overly meller that it didn't matter much. Hyer at least is convincing as a greedy woman who has only one objective: to get her hands on as much estate money as possible after the death of the girl's wealthy mommy and especially a glittering diamond necklace.Zsa Zsa Gabor flits about once in awhile when flashbacks permit the girl to remember a few events as they unfolded in the past. She's every bit the glamorous creature she always set out to be, and mercifully is not burdened by too much dialog.Most surprising is that this wasn't photographed in low-budget style in B&W. Instead, the sharp color photography puts it on a higher level than the script would suggest.The story lacks credibility as it goes along, becoming more and more improbable by the time it reaches a predictable conclusion.Summing up: Watchable, but hurt by a central performance that is cringe worthy.

CDC0805 During the early 1970's, channel 05 (KTLA-TV) showed the same movie during an entire week. This film was one of them.I always enjoy this un-horror film. It was enjoyable seeing the extravagant life-style of a privileged, but not-so-wealthy dysfunctional family.The late Don Ameche and the not-so-late Zsa Zsa Gabor were a delight. I highly recommend this film for those over 30 years of age.