Picture Mommy Dead (1966)

Picture Mommy Dead Poster

Susan Shelley is released from an asylum where she's been confined to after the shock suffered over the fiery death of her mother. Her father has a new wife, who has only married him for the money left to him by his dead wife. Susan is still haunted by her mother's memory, and her step-mother is conspiring with her lover to get the troubled girl to lead them to her mother's missing diamond necklace.

Introduction
"Picture Mommy Dead" is a 1966, American mental scary movie directed by Bert I. Gordon. Starring significant stars such as Don Ameche, Martha Hyer, and Zsa Gabor, the film creatively incorporates elements of suspense, secret, and horror. The storyline is constructed around a girl, Susan Shelley (Susan Gordon), who returns home after spending three years in a psychological organization, only to discover herself entangled in a sneaky plot masterminded by her father and his new wife.

Plot
The film commences with a fire at the grand estate of the rich Shelley household, supposedly triggered by young Susan. This event tragically takes the life of her mom Jessica (Zsa Zsa Gabor) and leads to Susan's admission to a mental organization due to injury and possible regret. As she returns house after a duration of recovery, she has a hard time to manage odd hallucinations of her dead mom.

Her father, Edward Shelley (Don Ameche), has since married Francene (Martha Hyer), her late mom's nurse and caretaker. Susan ends up being the victim of Francene's conniving plan, whose primary intention is to drive Susan back into insanity, consequently securing Jessica's inheritance for herself and Edward.

Thriller and Drama
The intensity of the plot increases as Susan's hallucinations end up being more frequent. She perceives her mother's picture as alive, engaging her towards actions that verify her obvious madness. Adding intricacy to the drama is a devoted servant of your home, Elsie (Wendy Turnbull), who starts thinking the wicked objectives of Edward and Francene.

An unanticipated turn of events manifests when Edward passes away under mysterious circumstances. The blame is naturally insinuated onto Susan, improving her worry and vulnerability. Concurrently, Francene's plot deciphers as Elsie and her suitor Anthony (Maxwell Reed) begin to piece together the ominous intents behind Edward's sudden demise.

Climax and Resolution
The culmination of the film arrives with an intense fight between Susan, Francene, and Elsie. Susan's innocence is proven when a wax figure of her mom, which Francene had been using to intimidate the girl, is ultimately exposed. Francene's plans are exposed, and she fulfills her fate as she unintentionally falls under a pit of molten wax while trying to eliminate Susan, echoing the fire that eliminated her mother.

Conclusion
"Picture Mommy Dead" is a timeless example of mid-20th-century horror movies, with an interesting plot and an unanticipated twist. Its enticing components consist of thriller and mystery, driven by exceptional performances from the cast. Due to its fascinating story and interesting character dynamics, the film has actually received a combined reception but stays noteworthy for its high suspense and triumphant triumph of an innocent who thrives over the dubious plans by her stepmother.

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