Picture Mommy Dead

Picture Mommy Dead is a 1966 American psychological horror film directed by Bert I. Gordon and starring Don Ameche, Martha Hyer, Susan Gordon, and Zsa Zsa Gabor.^[3][4] It follows Susan Shelley, a young girl who, after being released from a mental institution following her mother Jessica's death, begins to experience strange events in the family's mansion.

Socialite Jessica Flagmore Shelley is killed in an apparently accidental fire in her mansion's bedroom. Three years later, her adolescent daughter, Susan, is released from St. Marie's Convent and Hospital, where she has recovered from a nervous breakdown. Though deemed mentally healthy, Susan is still confused about the details of her mother's death. Now in the custody of her father, Edward, and stepmother, Francene, Susan is reacquainted with her older cousin Anthony Flagmore. She is read her mother's will, detailing hundreds of thousands of dollars that she will receive at age 25. Further, Susan can resume living in the mansion as long as she likes. However, its contents and furniture will be auctioned to generate income to cover losses from Edward's bad investments. Later, Francene, in private, suggests Edward have Susan recommitted to gain control of her trust fund. Edward dismisses her idea.

One evening, while haunted by disturbing images, Susan scratches a portrait of Jessica. It bleeds. She then encounters a vision of Jessica, which bursts into flames. As a result, Susan is convinced Jessica was murdered, and the evidence exists somewhere in the house. Later, Susan is attacked by Anthony's pet hawk. She beats it dead with one of her dolls. Inside the tattered doll, Susan discovers Jessica's valuable necklace. Moments later, Francene enters the room, posing as Jessica, and requests the necklace. Susan feigns mental regression. During an altercation, the two knock over a phone receiver, through which Francene overhears Anthony phoning police to report Susan as Jessica's murderer. Francene confronts Anthony, and their conversation is overheard by Susan. It is revealed the two, lovers, are conspiring to steal Susan's fortune. Then during a later argument, an enraged Francene murders Anthony with a large antique fishing hook.

Francene then accuses Susan of stealing her necklace, replicating the scenario that occurred between Susan and Jessica the night she died. Their feud intensifies when Francene pursues Susan through the house with scissors. The chase ends in the bedroom, the scene of Jessica's death. Susan renders Francene unconscious, knocking over a candle and igniting the bed in flames. Edward stumbles upon the scene and puts out the fire. Francene awakens, gripping the necklace in her hand, claiming Susan killed both Jessica and Anthony. Francene then attempts to blackmail Edward with Susan's alleged culpability and threatens divorce. Edward tells Francene that it was in fact he who killed Jessica in an attempt to appease Francene, who now laughs hysterically. In a rage, Edward strangles Francene just as he had Jessica. Susan appears from behind a curtain and takes Jessica's necklace from Francene's neck. She tells Edward she will help hide his crime—just as she had when he murdered Jessica—before lighting the bedroom aflame with a candle. The two exit the house, hand in hand, as it begins to burn.

Gene Tierney was originally announced for a lead role^[5] and Hedy Lamarr was signed to support Don Ameche and Martha Hyer.^[6] However, Lamarr was fired from the film when she collapsed during filming from nervous exhaustion.^[2] She was replaced by Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Picture Mommy Dead opened theatrically in Roanoke, Virginia on September 29, 1966.^[7] It opened in New York City on November 2, 1966, before being released citywide in Los Angeles in December 1966.^[8] The film was a box-office failure.^[8]

The film opened to largely negative reviews upon its release in New York City.^[8] Dennis Schwartz (grading the film a B-) called it a tired horror film but "entertaining in a B film manner", highlighting the attempts at fright scenes involving hearing voices along with tacky attacks. ^[9]

Kino Lorber released the film for the first time on Blu-ray in October 2020.^[10]

• List of American films of 1966

• Picture Mommy Dead at IMDb
• Trailer on Vimeo
• Official website