Mommie Dearest

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/11/08 at 8:17pm

This is my go to movie when I'm feeling down. Man it lifts me up every time. Sure, most of it may not be true. Yes, it's camp x 100, but Faye Dunaway is astounding as Joan Crawford. Each time I watch it I clutch onto a new line. Right now I'm fond of "WHen you polish the floor, you have to move the tree!" and "I can handle the socks".

Anyone have a favorite line? I can't think of a more quotable film than this one! I'm also a huge fan of the new commentary with John Waters (where he defends the film as being more than just camp. And makes me believe him, to an extent).
Updated On: 12/12/08 at 08:17 PM

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 12/11/08 at 8:30pm

As a fan of a lot of celluloid trash, I've always wondered why I find nothing to enjoy in Mommie Dearest. I saw it once, and I barely was able to get through it.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 12/11/08 at 8:31pm

I remember watching this over the summer while at work (we watched Gypsy too, as part of a deranged mother theme).

My favorite line(s) would have to be:

"Why can't you give me the respect that I'm entitled to? Why can't you treat me like I would be treated by any stranger on the street?"
"Because I am NOT one of your fans."

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/11/08 at 8:31pm

"I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at the dirt."

"Are you crazy? Are you?"

"Christopher! Christina! Dammit!"
Updated On: 12/11/08 at 08:31 PM

[nmartin]

Posted: 12/11/08 at 8:33pm

"I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at the dirt."

"Are you crazy? Are you?"

"Christopher! Christina! Dammit!"

[nealb1]

Posted: 12/11/08 at 8:37pm

Say what you want about the film and the performance, but when Faye is on screen - you can't take your eyes off of her.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/11/08 at 8:43pm

"I say tear down that bitch of a bearing wall and put a window where it ought to be!"

"My babies. Where are my babies?"

"I'm not acting. I'm not acting!"
Updated On: 12/11/08 at 08:43 PM

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/11/08 at 9:18pm

I'll just say the obvious.

NO MORE WIRE HANGERS!

[Radiana]

Posted: 12/11/08 at 10:15pm

I was reading the thread about Mommie Dearest on the Broadway board and saw pictures of some of the skits that were done. I think it's a very good movie and yes Faye Dunaway did a great job. As someone who was abused as a child, I don't understand how this can be uplifting or fun to see as a skit. Stockard, I know your thread is different from the Mommie Dearest as a musical but what am I missing? Is child abuse something to laugh at? What is the appeal? Why is this entertainment? I don't know, maybe the laughs are on the crazy lady screaming about wire hangers. I can see where that might be funny to people who have never had to deal with something like that.

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 12:05am

Radiana- I respect your point, but I find it hard to believe that any of this story is true. Do I believe that Joan Crawford was a strict disciplinarian and a big drinker? Yes. But do I believe all the abuse? Sorry, but no. I think that since Christina was screwed in the will, this was her revenge.
I still love this movie no matter what...I can't help it!!! I know every line.....

J: Why do you deliberately defy me?
C: Why did you tell her I got expelled?
J: Because you did get expelled!!!
C: That is a lie.
(smack, smack)
Barbara: Joan!!!
J: Barbara, Barbara, please, Barbara. Leave us alone- if you need anything ask Carolanne. (pause) Oh, this is wonderful. This is wonderful!!! You, you deliberately embarrass me in front of a reporter...a reporter...I told you how important this is to me, I told you!
C: Why did you adopt me?

(more later)

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 12:07am

oooppss... sorry. I forgot this line in-between...

C: That is a lie.
(smack, smack)
J: You love it, don't you? You love to make me hit you!!!
(Barbara enters)

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 12:34am

Oh I don't think there's anything funny about child abuse. A documentary or a serious piece done on it is heart breaking and criminal.

But when a totally campy film is made which is destined to be a camp classic, you don't take it seriously.

I don't think there's anything funny about murder either, but when it's presented in cartoons and comedies, I think everyone laughs.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 1:03am

I don't think that enjoying the movie means we think child abuse is right.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 1:06am

That's true, Jane.

Although the only time I was actually disturbed by animated violence was the time my friend showed me Happy Tree Friends. I know some people think it's funny... but it doesn't appeal to me.

As for child abuse, it's definitely not a light subject and truthfully there were moments in Mommie Dearest where I was sickened (whether they be true or fabricated, that's debatable). It's not a pretty sight to see a child getting whalloped by a wire hanger. But at the same time, the movie is campy. There's just parts of it that are almost too ridiculous to be true.

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 1:14am

I think we agree, PM. I don't even watch cartoons but I remember them as a child. People are always bopping each other on the head, falling, stealing from each other, etc. and everyone laughed.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 1:18am

And while Mommie Dearest is high camp, watching it right now I'm finding it a fascinating study in human behavior (whether Christina's story is true or not). The film essentially plays like a Joan Crawford film would. Over-dramatic, peculiar, campy, and dark.

[Radiana]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 2:11am

Thanks guys for shedding some light on it for me. I thought it was a very good movie as well and remember the one scene where Joan Crawford was like a mad woman scrubbing her face, for some reason I found that humorous.

I hope no one thinks I was being judgemental, I was just curious as to what makes it campy. Like you said PM parts of it were too ridiculous to be taken seriously by most people.

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 2:24am

"Don't f*** with me fellas!!!"

"My compliments to your school on its "impeccable" reputation. Christina, come on!"

"I'd rather be here with you than anyplace else in the world."

"So was I..."only a kid." Life goes by too damn fast- you have to learn how to compete and win."

"If you're acting, you're wasting my time. If you're not, you're wasting yours."

[StockardFan]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 8:06am

Radiana, I certainly didn't mean to imply that I think child abuse is funny. I'm a mom who loves my kid to death. I was just joining in with those quoting from the movie. I've never even seen it, I just knew that line. Sorry if I offended.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 9:31am

"I will ALWAYS beat you!"

And it's better with a beat!
Mamma Mia vs Mommy Dearest

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 10:13am

I remember when they used to play this video in the clubs back in the '90s!

[Elphaba]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 10:29am

CHRISTINA......BRING ME THE AXE!

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 10:53am

Joan Crawford: I'd rather you go bald to school than looking like a tramp.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 11:45am

Is child abuse something to laugh at? What is the appeal? Why is this entertainment? I don't know, maybe the laughs are on the crazy lady screaming about wire hangers. I can see where that might be funny to people who have never had to deal with something like that.

As I said in my previous post, I never understood the appeal of this film. I think everything about it is horrible. Subject matter nothwithstanding, it's a poorly made and acted film. I can't believe anyone would heap praise on Dunaway for such an over-the-top performance, which can be equalled by any drag queen.

[Radiana]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 12:43pm

Stockard I owe you an apology, if I had been a little more observent I would have seen that it was BobbyBuddy who was the OP. From your posts I knew you were a mom and so I wondered what you saw in this movie that you found entertaining. Please excuse my mistake.