Picture Mommy Dead ** (1966, Don Ameche, Martha Hyer, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Susan Gordon, Maxwell Reed, Signe Hasso, Wendell Corey, Anna Lee) – Classic Movie Review 12,336

Hedy Lamarr was dumped when she collapsed from nervous exhaustion during filming the 1966 horror thriller Picture Mommy Dead, and was replaced by Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Daddy Edward Shelley (Don Ameche)’s new wife Francene (Martha Hyer) is trying to kill his heiress daughter Susan (Susan Gordon), who is just freed from a sanitarium after three years but still in shock after mommy Jessica (Zsa Zsa Gabor) has died in a horrific blaze.

Hyer, who married Edward for the money Jessica left him, is in love with the caretaker (Maxwell Reed), and is after Gabor’s gems – Jessica’s missing diamond necklace – and wants to send Gordon permanently round the bend by posing as the deceased mom.

The eerie 1966 horror picture Picture Mommy Dead is trashy but amusing. The Gothic script is unreal but complex, and the old-time actors are sprightly.

Producer-director Bert I Gordon gives his daughter Susan the juvenile-star part. It is written by Robert Sherman, who appears uncredited as Father.

The cast are Don Ameche as Edward Shelley, Martha Hyer as Francene Shelley, Susan Gordon as Susan Shelley, Zsa Zsa Gabor as Jessica Flagmore Shelley, Maxwell Reed as Anthony Flagmore, Wendell Corey as Lawyer Clayborn, Signe Hasso as Sister René, Anna Lee as Elsie Kornwald, Steffi Henderson as 3rd Woman at Estate Sale, Kelly Corcoran as Little Boy at Estate Sale, Paulle Clark as 1st Woman at Estate Sale, Marlene Tracy as 2nd Woman at Estate Sale, Monty O’Grady as Estate Sale Guest, Jeffrey Sayre as Estate Sale Guest, and Robert Sherman as Father.

Hedy Lamarr was dumped when she collapsed during filming from nervous exhaustion and was replaced by Gabor.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,336

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