Customer Reviews

You'll Like My Mother [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An intriguing and tautly directed thriller in which Patty Duke plays an expectant mother who journeys to the colds of Minnesota to the visit the family of her recently deceased Army husband. What she discovers awaiting her arrival is quite different than she expected: a very twisted family indeed...A rather ingenious film which doesn't resort to any visual violence in order to keep a high level of terror and tension throughout, this film will also convince viewers that Richard Thomas could very successfully play against his stereotypical "John-Boy" character! Shot entirely in Minnesota using the Congdon Mansion - which was constructed on the shore of Lake Superior in 1903 at a cost of 1.3 million dollars - this movie is characterised by creatively imaginitive cinematography. Rosemary Murphy, a stage actress, made her transition to cinema extremely well: her performance is most effective.

This atmospheric thriller, filmed in part at an historic mansion in Duluth, Minnesota, is of special interest to residents of the "Land of 10,000 Lakes!" Starring Patty Duke, Richard Thomas, and Rosemary Murphy, the film's setting contributes much to the effectiveness of the storyline wherein Murphy portrays the cruelest mother-in-law one could imagine. Outstanding performances by all! Based on the novel by Naomi A. Hintze.

Richard Thomas comes out of Duluth's Congdon Mansion woodwork to pester a young Patty Duke in this 1972 pre-slasher thriller. He's more like "The Shining"s Jack Nicholson than John-Boy Walton. "You'll Like My Mother" is a variation on the Captive In A Snow Storm theme that works very, very well. Not a good palliative for cabin fever, as it will induce more anxiety than it cures, but be brave! Turn down the lights, stoke up the fireplace, get some Hot Chocolate, and meet "Mother." Or be really, really brave and make it a Triple Feature: "You'll Like My Mother," "Misery," and Jack's "The Shining." Reviewed by TundraVision

This is not a bad little film, thanks mostly to some fittingly claustrophobic cinematography and nice performances from Patty Duke and Rosemary Murphy. Things don't add up for pregnant Duke when she goes to visit her deceased husband's mother for the first time. Title comes from a line the husband told Duke over and over before he died. Duke is terrific in the exchange with menacing Murphy where she tells her, "I only realize now he never said why."....

Richard Thomas is great! The movie was on the edge and very well acted.

FILMED IN DULUTH MINNESOTA AT THE CONGDON MANSION ON THE SHORES OF LAKE SUPERIOR. A GREAT STORY AND GREAT PERFORMANCES BY ALL. AFTER SEEING THIS MOVIE AND THEN VISITING THE MANSION YOU CAN SEE WHERE IT ALL TOOK PLACE. THE MANSIONS OWNER ELIZABETH CONGDON WAS MURDERED ALONG WITH HER MAID VELMA.....(her daughter and her husband went to trial for the murder)ONE WAS FOUND LYING ON THE MAIN STAIRCASE. WHERE PATTY DUKES BEDROOM IS IN THE MOVIE IS ON THE THIRD FLOOR WHERE THEY WOULD MOVE THE CONGDON CHILDREN TO WHEN THEY WERE ILL. THE LIBRARY IS JUST LIKE YOU SEE IT IN THE MOVIE AS ARE THE KITCHEN AND THE CARRIAGE HOUSES.AND YES THE WEATHER IS LIKE THAT TOO!GLAD TO SEE IT COMING ON DVD!MY VHS RECORDED COPY IS IN TOPUGH SHAPE.

Saw it on tv in the early 80s, I can't understand why gems like this get forgotten, while so much dribble is on.Why not put it on DVD??
Miss Paty Duke does a great job .You hope she can get out.

I was pleased to find this movie available in any format. My wife and I recorded this from a TV station which had many commercial interruptions. I just wish I could have found it in DVD format.

Purchased for a gift for my grandmother who has been looking for this movie everywhere. Glad I could find it on-line for her!

I saw this movie as a teen and always remembered it as being great. I just saw it again with my teenage son, and I loved it just as much. The actress who plays the mother is wonderful at being cold hearted and creepy, and Patty Duke is spunky and cute in this movie. It's also interesting to see Richard Thomas in this kind of role, when I always thought of him as the sweet John Boy Walton.

This is a suspenseful movie with nice cinematography and great atmosphere. The snow storm outside, large creepy mansion, low lighting, and shadows throughout make it a great scary movie to relish and enjoy. It doesn't use violence to keep the interest and suspense, but focuses more on characters and atmosphere. The story also unfolds with interesting revelations as it progresses, though the ending is somewhat abrupt. I highly recommend this movie. Now I just wish it would come out on DVD! I've been waiting for years for a DVD release (and the tape is almost impossible to find). We finally ended up watching it on the internet.