You'll Like My Mother

"You'll Like My Mother! The movie was a good thriller. However, there was no beginning nor was there an ending in this movie. What I mean is: It seems that some parts were left out. There was no pictures or showing of the mother or the husband on this movie. Patty Duke should have had at lease a picture of her husband with her. It didn't show where she was coming from. And at the ending, the movie could have shown her with the estate and money left behind. The movie left you wondering about her and her baby, and the women and her daughter. I remembered this movie years ago when it came on the A&E channel. A Good Thriller Indeed! But could have been more complete!

This was one of ABC's TV Movies Of The Week, and a fairly good thriller. Recently widowed by her military husband, pregnant Patty Duke goes to stay at her mother in law's New England country home. Having never met before, the only thing that Patty knows about her hostess is that her late husband had often commented, " You'll Like My Mother ". Well, "Mom" couldn't be any less gracious, and Patty soon enough realizes that something is very amiss. With Sian Barbara Allen as a mildly retarded relative, and Richard Thomas as Kenny who is an uneering presence that was one of the better made for TV movies of the early 70's.

a previous posting, this was a limited theatrical release in the early '70s--not an ABC TV Movie of the Week. Not much more to add, except to say that this is a somewhat slow, but effective thriller (Thomas's death scene is pretty spectacular).

Capable cast goes through the motions in a predictable, snowbound thriller, yet another in a long line of genre screamers pitting one 'helpless' woman against a gang of crazies. This time it's Patty Duke's turn to portray the captive: a pregnant widow who goes to visit her mother-in-law for the first time in frigid Minnesota and quickly finds herself unable to flee. Director Lamont Johnson, who ended up having a very spotty resume, handles the story in a workman-like, perfunctory way without a drop of self-effacing humor or even morbid interest. Very piqued, despite the convincing surroundings and Duke's innate likability. *1/2 from ****

There are a couple of things to recommend this picture. First there is the snow: a LOT of snow, which adds to the claustrophobic atmosphere. Also a truly creepy performance by Richard Thomas (pre Waltons) as Kenny. Just the way he refers to himself in the third person is more effective than a hundred stabs of a knife. A good rental but not as bloody as genre fans might like.

I loved "You'll Like My Mother". Richard Thomas was superb.He was very frightening as Kenny.Kenny and his mother had a strange relationship going on there.I could never look at "John Boy" the same way after seeing this. I truly enjoyed Patty Duke in this film, as well. When giving birth, however, she seemed to be choking. That was odd.She was a force to be reckoned with in protecting her child. I taped this many years ago when it aired on the USA Network, but lost it. I wish it would be released on D.V.D.OR, played again on Turner Clasics. I could at least tape it again. For suspense, it's one of the best!I just want to see it again.

A vintage VHS of this movie recently sold on eBay (after 16 bids) for $67.50! Wake up producers! This is an excellent 70's movie. The actors each performed brilliantly! One of the best mystery-mansion movies ever! Richard Thomas is somewhat out-of-character (compared to John Boy), since he plays the part of a murderer-rapist, but his acting is superb. He is a real meanie in this one!! A must see!

Filmed in the woods of Minnesota this thriller is scary and exciting! Patty Duke delivers a great performance but is at times outshined by newcomer Sian Barbara Allen! Sort of bloody at times! Richard Thomas in a rare performance as a physcho! Excellent film to watch on a cold winter night!