MovieChat Forums > Butterflies Are Free Discussion > Eileen Heckart is unforgettable !

Eileen Heckart is unforgettable !

posted 18 years ago by freakaman24
22 replies | jump to latest

Eileen won a well deserved Oscar for this early " indie " film. There have been many " overprotective mother " roles in film history, but hers is truly a treasure to behold. She says so much just with her face , especially near the end of the film as Donnie wants to move back with her and she says no. The way she stops and turns to her son and walks to him and hugs him is heartbreaking. I still consider this performance one of the most deserving Oscar wins in its history.

[–] ijonesiii 18 years ago

I have to admit that I did not see this film until after Heckart won her Oscar, but after seeing the film, I understood why. This is a masterful performance, which as you say, brought entire new levels to the overprotective mother role we have seen in so many other films. Heckart beautifully underplays this role, taking a lot of very funny dialogue and softening the punchlines, making them all the more amusing than they appeared in the script. I loved when Jill said she had just come in to ask for Don's help with her blouse and Heckart, with a big smile on her face, dryly asks, "And where is your blouse?" I also loved the scene you mentioned after Jill leaves and Don says he wants to move back in with her and he says no. Heckart combines a strength, tenderness, and sensitivity in the scene that is marvelouos to behold. Eileen Heckart gives a superb Oscar winning performance in this film that should be studied by acting students.

[–] freakaman24 18 years ago

I am so glad some-one else appreciated how wonderful she was in this movie.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] freakaman24 18 years ago

You are right- it was a great movie- I am glad it got notice from the Oscar's, but it was a great movie for that year that actually holds up today.

[–] fnv790 18 years ago

That performance still has to be one of my top five favorite of all time, male or female! She was amazing and hilarious with her dry, biting wit. Such a sarcastic diva! Definitely a classic role for the ages!

[–] wheresjoeysmovie-1 16 years ago

I am with you guys. I adore her in this part. Richly deserved Oscar!! Those last moments of her bring a tear to my eye every time and make me want to call my Mom up. One of my favorite lines of her unmentioned on this thread is "And I know you are not Snow White"!! LOL!

[–] priceless_advice 16 years ago

I love her performance; it's so great and her lines and so witty; they make me laugh so hard.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Frumious_Bandersnatch_46 15 years ago

Eileen Heckart originated the role of Mrs Baker on Broadway in 1969.

My favourite line was her retort to Ralph. When she doesn't like the gruesome death scene he has planned for Jill's character, he tells her:
[Ralph]: Mrs. Baker, these things are all a part of life.
[Mrs Baker]: I know, Mr Santori. So is diarrhea, but I wouldn't classify it as entertainment.

***
Have you noticed that in Shakespeare's plays soothsayers said the sooth, the whole sooth, and nothing but the sooth?
***

[–] Moon_and_New_York_City 15 years ago

I'm glad someone mentioned that "so is diarrhea" line, I consider that one of the all time classics..... and I also like when Jill says "No one would call me a prude!" and Mrs. Baker sarcastically replies, "I'd like to see them try!"

She is perfect, well done, and well deserved Oscar.

"the best that you can do is fall in love"

[–] Frumious_Bandersnatch_46 15 years ago

That's another of my favourites!

And the exchange where Mrs Baker polishes an apple and hands it to Jill Tanner Benson. Jill pauses, trying to recall another time when an apple changed hands. Finally, she concludes

Jill: I know you're not a wicked witch.
Mrs Baker: And I know you're not Snow White.

and

Mrs Baker: Then you're an actress?
Jill: Well, yeah.
Mrs Baker: Might I have seen you in anything, besides your underwear?
Jill: Um, not unless you went to Beverly Hills High School. I was in The Mikado. I played Yum-Yum.
Mrs Baker: [laughing] Yes, I'm sure you did.

***
Have you noticed that in Shakespeare's plays soothsayers said the sooth, the whole sooth, and nothing but the sooth?
***

[–] johnnydelbravo 14 years ago

Ralph explains his offensive play and then insults the residents of
Hillsboro. The room goes silent as Mrs. Baker is from Hillsboro.

Ralph: Was it something I said?
Mrs. Baker: Pick anything.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Frumious_Bandersnatch_46 14 years ago

It's wonderful what can be done with a fairly simple set, a great imagination — and four fantastically talented actors.

I've worn out my tape of this. Now I'm looking for it on DVD.

---
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things,"
Of atoms, stars and nebulæ, of entropy and genes.
---

[–] dalemidex 11 years ago

So glad others have a similar love for Eileen Heckart in this role. Even as a little kid there was something about this actress that haunted me...and seeing someone else (the original poster) use that exact term is a bit jolting. In this show she takes a character that could have easily been a stock overprotective mother but instead gives her so much depth. The more I see her the more I just love her. :-)

[–] MissMargoChanning 11 years ago

I have always found her fascinating in everything I have ever seen her in.
I loved her as Mrs. Baker, but my all time favorite Eileen Heckart performance will always be her as Mrs.Daigle in The Bad Seed.

"Fasten your seat belts!
It's going to be a bumpy night!"

[–] tightjeansdude 11 years ago

I just saw this movie for the first time the other night and before the movie was even over, I went online to buy the DVD. When I saw Eileen was in it, playing that typical headstrong woman she's known for, I knew I'd like this film. Something about her voice. Deep and smoky with a hint of Irish. The way words just roll out of her mouth with perfect enunciation is just fascinating to me. I first saw her in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, in a episode called "Coming, Mama" which she plays a daughter who is controlled by her ailing mother who does not want her to marry. A total role-reversal from what she plays in Butterflies.

[–] hankysmom57 10 years ago

you're so right, Eileen Heckart is fantastic--can't believe I forgot she was in The Bad Seed, a movie that.. um...IMPRESSED me as a child

[–] hankysmom57 10 years ago

you're so right, Eileen Heckart is fantastic--can't believe I forgot she was in The Bad Seed, a movie that.. um...IMPRESSED me as a child

[–] dini0519 9 years ago

Yes! She was excellent in both The Bad Seed and Butterflies are Free! Two favorites!

Dini

[–] Ed in MO 8 years ago

I love the way she changes at the end from insisting that Donnie come home with her to insisting that he stay in the apartment. This is superb acting. Almost anyone else could have destroyed the scene with a phony performance, but she makes it very real with just her face, voice and a few gestures. You feel her struggle with her, which is the hallmark of a great performance.

[–] hka-3 10 years ago

She's wonderful. I saw this film on TCM last night for the first time. I had to watch it again today and got kind of anxious for Eileen to show up. It made me want to watch her again in My Six Loves (1963) www.imdb.com/title/tt0057341