MovieChat Forums > All This, and Heaven Too (1940) Discussion > One of the worst mothers in film history

One of the worst mothers in film history


I don't have much to say about it other than that I'm still seething and wanted to break through the glass of my TV set and strangle her myself. I honestly thought he had already killed her when he sent Bette and the kids away on the Halloween trip.

And Bette's character was one of the best mothers in film history.

What became of the children?

A top 10 of worst mothers in film history:
1. Mo'Nique in Precious
2. Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest
3. Lady Tremaine in Cinderella (guess I'm counting stepmothers)
4. Barbara O'Neil in All This, and Heaven Too
5. Piper Laurie in Carrie
6. Shelley Winters in A Patch of Blue
7. Melissa Leo in The Fighter
8. Angela Lansbury in The Manchurian Candidate
9. Agnes Moorehead in Citizen Kane
10. Gladys Cooper in Now, Voyager (more Bette Davis)

Haven't seen; probably worthy if the film is decent enough: Louise Fletcher in Flowers in the Attic

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Haven't seen; probably worthy if the film is decent enough: Louise Fletcher in Flowers in the Attic


The film is not really worthy, but the character certainly is. The recent Lifetime remake was better, but bypass both films in favor of the V.C. Andrews cult novel.

Agnes Moorehead in Citizen Kane


Don't really understand this choice. I guess she's absent from his life? I saw Mrs. Kane as a crushed heroine who makes the ultimate sacrifice...giving up the son she loves to save him from his abusive father and give him a more advantaged life.

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I also disagree with the Mrs. Kane character.
I'd replace Agnes Moorehead with Susan Sarandon's Hattie from 'Pretty Baby".

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Don't forget Gladys Cooper (again) in SEPARATE TABLES.
And counting stepmothers, there's also the wicked Queen in SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS.

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