Mommy (1995 film)
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| Mommy | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Max Allan Collins |
| Written by | Max Allan Collins |
| Produced by | James K. Hoffman |
| Starring | Patty McCormack Sarah Jane Miller Rachel Lemieux Jason Miller Brinke Stevens Michael Cornelison Mark Spellman |
| Cinematography | Phillip W. Dingeldein |
| Edited by | Phillip W. Dingeldein |
| Music by | Richard Lowry |
| Distributed by | M.A.C. Productions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Mommy is a 1995 American low budget thriller starring Patty McCormack as a mother who is psychotically obsessed with her 12-year-old daughter Jessica Ann (Rachel Lemieux). McCormack is best known for her role as Rhoda Penmark in the 1956 film The Bad Seed. The film is considered to be an unofficial sequel. The film also stars Sarah Jane Miller, Rachel Lemieux, Jason Miller, Brinke Stevens, Michael Cornelison, Mark Spellman, Majel Barrett Mickey Spillane, Marian Wald, Janelle Vanerstrom, Judith Meyers, Nathan Collins, Tom Castillo, and Tom Summit.[1][2][3]
Plot
Charlotte Betts is my mommy
Cast
- Patty McCormack as Mommy/Mrs. Sterling
- Sarah Jane Miller as Jolene Jones
- Rachel Lemieux as Jessica Ann
- Jason Miller as Lt. March
- Brinke Stevens as Beth
- Michael Cornelison as Mark Jeffries
- Mark Spellman as Detective
- Majel Barrett as Mrs. Withers
- Mickey Spillane as Attorney Neal Ekhardt
- Marian Wald as the Principal
- Janelle Vanerstrom as Substitute teacher
- Judith Meyers as Hallway teacher
- Nathan Collins as Gleeful kid
- Tom Castillo as Ambulance attendant #1
- Tom Summit as Ambulance attendant #2
Production
The film was the first to be directed by Max Allan Collins who had, prior to this, been primarily known as a writer of crime and mystery stories as well as a comic book writer. All of the film was shot primarily on location in Muscatine, Iowa (Collins' home town), which aided the casting of the killer's daughter. Then 11-year-old Rachel Lemieux had no prior professional acting experience; she was discovered at an open audition in an Iowa mall and beat out more than 200 girls for the role. A number of other finalists for the role ended up as extras in classroom scenes which were filmed on location at Muscatine Middle School. Max Allan Collins later revealed in the 2020 director's commentary that he initially planned on just being the film's producer but difficulties with the original director eventually left him with little choice but to take over that aspect of the film as well. Collins also revealed that the original director wanted an "older, more shapely" actress as Jessica Ann, whilst he himself favoured Rachel Lemieux and that it was this contentious point that resulted in a change of directors on the film.
The filming of Mommy was covered by Entertainment Tonight in a segment anchored by Leonard Maltin. There had been little interest in Muscatine as a filming location up until this point, so many of the local businesses were keen to support the production including the local professional photographer and the company that made the plaque for the 'Student Of The Year' award.
Despite the relatively low budget, the cast had a large number of well-known actors including Patty McCormack as the lead, Mickey Spillane as her attorney, Jason Miller as the investigating lieutenant and Majel Barrett as Jessica's school teacher at the start of the picture. Director Collins' son Nate appears in this film and its sequel in a small role as the Gleeful Kid.
Former 'scream queen' Brinke Stevens was cast as the sister of Patty McCormack's character; she was an acquaintance of writer/director Max Allan Collins, whom he had met while the two were making personal appearances at comic book conventions. When asked about her involvement with the film, Collins commented, "Brinke was happy to have a chance to do something with her clothes on, I think."
Mickey Spillane was a personal friend of writer/director Max Allan Collins and appeared in the movie as a favor. When Spillane arrived to film his part, he was ill and running a dangerously high fever. Concerned for his health, crew members tried to talk him out of filming, but he insisted on going on with the show. Despite his illness, Spillane completed all his filming and returned in better health for the sequel.
The film was initially sold to LifeTime movies on cable and was able to recoup its initial investment through additional sales. It was later released on DVD and, in 2020, as a 25th Anniversary double DVD/blu-ray package with its sequel.
Reception
Critics hailed McCormack's performance and deemed the film as an "unofficial sequel" to her 1956 film The Bad Seed.
Sequel
The film spawned a sequel in 1997, with McCormack reprising her role as Mrs. Sterling in Mommy 2: Mommy's Day.
References
Citations
- ^ Knepper & Lawrence 2014, p. 98.
- ^ Shelley 2009, p. 294.
- ^ Collins & Traylor 2012, p. 200.
Sources
- Knepper, Marty; Lawrence, John (2014). The Book of Iowa Films (1st ed.). Berkeley, California: The Book of Iowa Films Press. p. 98. ISBN 978-0990428916.
- Shelley, Peter (2009). Grande Dame Guignol Cinema: A History of Hag Horror from Baby Jane to Mother. New York City: McFarland & Company. p. 294. ISBN 978-0786445691.
- Collins, Max Allan; Traylor, James L. (2012). Mickey Spillane on Screen: A Complete Study of the Television and Film Adaptations. New York City: McFarland & Company. p. 200. ISBN 978-0786465781.
External links
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