Today, in honor of Mother’s Day, we’re looking back at our favorite on-screen moms, from the fierce to the nurturing to the lullaby-singing. We love them, we hate them, and we’ve enjoyed them on screen for as long as we’ve enjoyed movies.
Rafer Guzman, Takeaway contributor and Newsday film critic, shares his choices of top movie moms, which range from the sublime to the satanic. And Emily Rems, managing editor of Bust Magazine, brings her own surprise list of moms on film, one of whom has a major issue with how we hang up our clothes.
Below, the trailer for the movie adaptation of "Rosemary's Baby."
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The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
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Comments [12]
All the moms in Steal Magnolias.
Has "mother" become the eighth word prohibited on the radio and television? (And "child," the ninth?) All I've been hearing is mom moms, kid kids--even on this, one of my fave programs. Of course I addressed my mother as mom, but always referred to her as my mother.
I loved Debbie Reynolds in the 1996 movie "Mother," with Albert Brooks. There's a great scene where she attempts to feed Brooks some rubbery, time-worn vegetables. It always makes me think of my own grandmother, who seems to have nothing other than diet cheese and a box of white zinfandel in her refrigerator. I'm laughing right now.
Mildred Pierce
My favorite movie mom is Sophia from Golden Girls, played by Estelle Getty.
I have three favorites which will indicate the length of time I've been around.
Irene Dunne in 'I Remember Mama',
Rosalind Russell in 'Auntie Mame', not actually the mother of young Patrick Dennis certainly filled that role. Last but the ultimate of all mothers, Margaret Wycherly (James Cagney's loving mom) in 'White Heat'.
I know most listeners will be unfamiliar with these three ladies but I'd recommend that they discover them.on DVD, whatever.
My favorite movie mom is Terri Garr in just about every movie she has ever played a mom in, which is almost every movie shes ever been in. She always reminded me of my own mother which helped me loose myself in the particular movie.
Flawed but amazing film mom - Cher in Mask
My vote for best movie mom goes to Anne Ramsey as Mrs. Lift in Throw Mama from the Train. No matter how crazy or annoying (or abusive) your mom is, she's still your mama, and you gotta love her.
My favorite movie mom is Susan Sarandon in the Lovely Bones.
my favorite movie mother is shirley mclaine in terms of endearment. debra wingers character is dying in the hospital , shirly maclain goes to the nurses station and starts screaming wildly that her daughter has pain and needs meds. as a nurse for over 20 years i have never forgotten that love driven desperatation.
My favorite film mom is Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.
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