Picture Mommy Dead (1966)

The inheritance of a wicked woman who expired mysteriously in a fire is contended by her alternately scheming, resentful and disturbed surviving family members. After years pillaging the Sci-Fi genre, the director turns his attention this time out to the 'Grand Guignol'-type thrillers popularized by Robert Aldrich's WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1962); to his credit, Gordon's contribution – though essentially dreary – is no worse than most efforts in this vein…but therein lies the problem, for we have all been here once too often. Typically, we have a fine cast letting their hair down, in this case: Don Ameche (as the patriarch), Martha Hyer (as his daughter's governess, whom he loves), Wendell Corey (possibly inebriated judging from his slurred delivery of lines!) as the family lawyer, Signe Hasso (as the nun who raised Ameche's traumatized daughter), Zsa Zsa Gabor (as Ameche's late, egotistical wife) and Anna Lee (as a society matron). Also involved in the sinister goings-on are the director's own daughter Susan (the progeny of Ameche and Gabor) and menacing, facially-scarred butler Maxwell Reed. Interestingly, the film starts with Gabor's death which is elaborated upon intermittently throughout the film in red-tinted flashbacks and comes full circle with history repeating itself…only with a different, if equally deceitful, victim this time around. Apparently, Gene Tierney and Hedy Lamarr were considered for the roles eventually played by Hyer and Gabor!

Susan Gordon plays Susan Shelley a demented child not unlike Jan Brady, just released from a convent/ institution run by nuns…where she's been placed after suffering from the shock of seeing her mother, (the flamboyant Zsa Zsa Gabor) Jessica Flagmore Shelley be consumed by flames in her opulent bedroom.Susan still traumatized by the haunting memories of her mother's horrific death and surrounded by some of the creepiest toys in all tar-nation, comes home to the palatial hearth with father Don Ameche as Edward Shelley and his new lusty, conniving second wife Francene played by sexy Martha Hyer. Edward is so blinded by his desire for Francene that he'd sell out the whole estate contents and all to give his conspiring hussy all the money, vacations and furs she wants.Francene starts sneaking around again with brother-in-law Anthony Flagmore played Maxwell Reed. Flagmore's face has been charred from that fateful night when mommy went up in flames. His odd presence and faithfulness to his pet hawk, add an air of the macabre to the already heady script.The brazen couple plot to drive little Susan over the edge, while trying to get her to reveal the whereabouts of her mother's missing diamond necklace.This Grande Dame horror film is a little gem from the vintage 60s, by director Bert I Gordon, and also boasts a great supporting cast with, Wendell Corey, Signe Hasso and Anna Lee. It's creepy, it's campy and a wonderfully colorful psychosomatic romp. Cinematography by Ellsworth Fredericks, who was director of photography on Invasion of The Body Snatchers 1956 and the sublime Mister Buddwing 1966. The soundtrack includes The Hearse Song sung by Gordon…'The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out.'

This is one of schlock producer Bert I Gordon's best films. After watching her mother Jessica (Zsa Zsa Gabor) die in a mysterious fire, young Susan Shelley (Susan Gordon) is sent to a convent/mental hospital where she remains for three years. In the meantime, her father Edward (Don Ameche) has married Susan's former governess, Francene (Martha Hyer) who is also his former mistress. After Susan's release from the hospital, she returns with her father and stepmother to the family estate. Immediately, the familiar surroundings bring back visions of her dead mother, as well as a gnawing suspicion that it was she herself who is responsible for her mother's death. Meanwhile, the money-hungry Francene, who has exhausted her husband's share of his late wife's bequest, begins a campaign to return Susan to the hospital for good--thereby gaining the half million dollar inheritance held in trust for her. Enlisting the help of Susan's cousin Anthony (British actor Maxwell Reed and former husband of Joan Collins), Francene also seeks to learn the whereabouts of a magnificent diamond necklace she is sure Susan has hidden. An atmospheric production, filmed at the old Doheny estate in Beverly Hills, the scene of many subsequent films, an attractive musical score by Robert Drasnin, and fine acting by all (including Miss Gordon, the director's daughter) give this murder mystery spice. And the beautiful Martha Hyer gives it class. Look for screen veterans Signe Hasso (as a nun) Wendell Corey (as the family lawyer) and Anna Lee (as a friend of Jessica). A very good novelization of the screenplay was written by screenwriter Robert Sherman. Incidentally, the pressbook synopsis has a different ending!

I saw this on TV way back when -- it was the only thing on in prime time, so of course we had to watch it -- and had forgotten the title. Then I saw a picture of Martha Hyer on ebay a few minutes ago and wondered where I'd seen her.Ta DAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Also in The Carpetbaggers.This movie was terrible. Don Ameche and Zsa Zsa Gabor were right at home.What other movie this bad sticks in the mind of a boy who was 8 at the time?Martha Hyer was that captivating.The ending is a shock but does not really justify watching the whole thing.And who wasn't happy when Don Ameche finally got his Oscar?If only I could write Martha Hyer a fan letter, I sure would.