The Two Most Perfect Movies For Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           "The Bad Seed," 1956--Oh, my God, darlings, when Nancy Kelly's hysteria ratchets up after realizing she has a homicidal child, she sets new screen heights for hysteria, that did not even come close to anything else until Veronica Cartwright came along in "The Children's Hour" in 1961.

                              Darlings, even the alcohol ridden Mrs. Daigle, the wonderful Eileen Heckart had Rhoda's number--well, sort of.  She had all the pieces assembled, but not in the proper place.  And that Monica Breedlove, the garrulous Evelyn Varden.  I still maintain the picture should have lasted long enough to have Rhoda push her from the roof!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                This film is a mother's nightmarish delight.  Having a missing child is a tragedy, but a murderous one is something to fear.  How long before she kills you?  And once puberty and hormones would have set in that becomes a frightening reality.

                                 Yes, girls, this film is perfect for Mother's Day, reminding us also of the importance of morning coffee and facial treatment.

                                                                 

                          Mildred Pierce," 1945--My mother's name was Mildred--she hated it--and when I first heard of this film, I briefly was calling her Mildred Pierce.  Until I had seen the film.  This is another film where a mother has a nasty daughter, though, with Joan Crawford, take your pick.  She had one here, in "Strait-Jacket" and in "Berserk!"   But "Mildred Pierce" is the best.  Ann Blyth, as daughter Veda advances to murder on her nineteenth birthday, only to get hauled off to prison.  On her birthday; can you imagine?  Her line about the dress being cheap is spot on: I mean, what would ANNA have said?  Everyone has Veda's number, but Mildred.  Even at the end, I was never sure she figured it out yet.  I always said it was too bad Kay died; she might have given Veda the comeuppance she needed.  But Joan is at her masochistic self-sacrificing best, and Eve Arden's acidity is along for the ride, and Zachary Scott cuts a dashing figure as Monty.  Oh, hons, it is such fun, especially with Ann Blyth livening things up as Veda.  And wait till you see the nightclub sequence.

                          So, take your pick, darlings!!!!!!!!  Each one is guaranteed to ensure a delightful Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                           Happy, happy, all you mothers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!