Picture Mommy Dead Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Picture Mommy Dead Blu-ray Movie Review

A worthwhile horror-thriller for genre enthusiasts.

Picture Mommy Dead is a horror-thriller with plenty of twists and turns in the story. The film stars Susan Gordon, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Don Ameche, and Martha Hyer. A who-dun-it confection with an interesting genre approach, the film offers plenty of suspense to audiences. An entertaining and compelling thriller, Picture Mommy Dead is worth a watch.

Upon release from an asylum, the young Susan Shelley (Susan Gordon) discovers that her dearly departed mother has left her the entire family fortune. Her mother, the wealthy Jessica Flagmore Shelley (Zsa Zsa Gabor), died from a turbulent fire. Yet was the fire a mere accident or was there more to the story?

The events of the mother's death led directly to Susan's asylum stay. As Susan re-aquatints herself with her father, Edward Shelley (Don Ameche), she learns that he has re-married (already) and is now in a relationship with the stern (if good looking) Francene Shelley (Martha Hyer). As the plot continues to thicken, it becomes apparent to Susan that Francene is only after the family fortune. Conspiring with her lover, Anthony Flagmore (Maxwell Reed), Francene wishes to find the lost diamond jewelry belonging to Susan's mother, Jessica. Can Susan survive the diabolical plot?

One of the most impressive elements of Picture Mommy Dead is the performance from the young lead, Susan Gordon. The daughter of the film's director, Susan Gordon delivers a complex performance that gives some added gravity to the story. The character undergoes traumatic experiences and the actress conveys these elements well. The performance – and role – make the experience more compelling.

Picture Mommy Dead was shot in Pathecolor by cinematographer Ellsworth Fredericks (Seven Days in May, Invasion of the Body Snatchers). This is a visually compelling production. The entire film has some rather interesting Gothic horror visuals. The style seems true to genre filmmaking of the time-period while providing its own unique personality as a production. The surrealist sequences give the film a supernatural element that is compelling.

A stunning 4K restoration.

The art direction by Bruce Bushman (Sea Hunt, Island of the Lost) and Hal Pereira (Funny Face, Vertigo) is another compelling element of the production that gives the entire work a greater sense of scale. The estate showcased in the film is undeniably elegant. The production scale seems complex as a result of these components: showcasing paintings on the walls and elegant fixtures throughout. A solid effort by Bushman and Pereira.

The original music composed by Robert Drasnin (Mission: Impossible, The Twilight Zone) adds a nice atmosphere to the production. The style is eerie and foreboding: giving Picture Mommy Dead a sharp component that befits the genre elements nicely. A good match in tone to the style of the filmmaking.

Edited by John A. Bushelman (Village of the Giants, Fear No More), Picture Mommy Dead is an interesting example of how the art form can enhance a production. There seems to be a delicate emphasis on the scene-to-scene cutting and how the story will flow. Much of this is due to the production editing. Bushelman set a good tempo for the entire experience.

On a less positive note, one of the weakest elements of the film is the screenplay by Robert Sherman (Knight Rider, MacGyver). The story is somewhat by-the-numbers at times and it is not as surprising as it wishes to be. The writing is often paper- thin and no better than a made for television movie. The film has some poorly crafted characters – who only serve to influence the plot. While it services the film at times, the script doesn't enhance the experience as much as it could have.

Bert I. Gordon (King Dinosaur, The Cyclops) managed to take a decent-at-best screenplay and make a fairly compelling film out of it. Though the script might be average, the production merits are unique, compelling, and worthwhile. The performances are solid. Gordon made a surprising horror-thriller which is worth checking out for the visuals alone. Worth a watch.

Picture Mommy Dead Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, Picture Mommy Dead is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. This is a brand new 4K remaster of the feature-film. The new restoration is rather remarkable (and approaches perfection). There are only one or two scenes with minor specks. The entire scan looks crisp, clear, and detailed. Color reproduction appears exceptional. The print is in outstanding condition and the new remaster delivers a fantastic viewing experience that preserves the intended aesthetic of the cinematography. Kino has done an amazing job with the encode. Fans will be enormously pleased with the results.

Picture Mommy Dead Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release is presented in DTS HD Master Audio mono. The sound quality on the release is truly fantastic and satisfactory. This was a top- notch soundtrack for the film. The high fidelity audio sounds remarkable. Dialogue reproduction is exceptional: each of the actors is easy to understand throughout the entire presentation. Music also sounds clear throughout. There are no egregious issues to report with regards to hiss, crackle, and other audio-related detriments.

Please Note: Optional English subtitles are provided.

Picture Mommy Dead Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio Commentary by Film Historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson

The release also includes a selection of trailers promoting other releases available from distributor Kino Lorber: Tales of Terror (SD, 2:21), The Premature Burial (HD, 2:32), Let's Kill Uncle (HD, 2:21), Endless Night (SD, 3:15), and The Magic Sword (SD, 2:42).

Picture Mommy Dead Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Picture Mommy Dead is an interesting horror-thriller that packs more punch than expected. Despite a weak script, the direction is tense and compelling. The production design is impressive. The film is worth checking out for genre fans. The Blu-ray release features a stunning new 4K restoration that dramatically enhances the experience. Kino has done an outstanding job with this top-notch release. Recommended.