Let's Hear It For Mean Moms

"Sunday Morning" Contributor Barbara Lippert Looks Back At Some Of The Movies' Nastiest Mothers

(CBS)  Sunday Morning contributor Barbara Lippert wants to forget about all the nice things we usually hear about mothers and remember some of film and TV's most evil moms.


Mother's Day. Candy, flowers ... murder? Today we're going to pay our respects to the Rogue's Gallery of terrible mothers.

After all, who would you rather watch: June Cleaver or Livia Soprano? As fans know, plotting her son's murder was payback for getting shelved in a nursing home.

David Chase, "The Sopranos"'s creator, has said that both Livia, the hideous anti-mom, and her son, Tony, the seriously macho mob boss, are actually based on his mother. But this isn't as crazy as it sounds.

Mario Puzo, author of "The Godfather," the novel that launched the greatest series of Mafia movies ever, says parts of Don Vito Corleone were modeled on his mom.

After all, it's tough to run a family, just ask any mobster — or mother.

And who could forget Norman Bates? In the aptly named "Psycho," he becomes his mother.

And what about Angela Lansberry in "The Manchurian Candidate?" She is the ultimate political schemer, taking character assassination to a whole new level.

But for many of us, the queen of maternal craziness will always be "Mommy Dearest." We love Joan Crawford's movies, but the screen siren may be best remembered for her desperate parental scorn.

So here's to the Anti-Mother, the monsters we love to hate. Not only are they a piece of work, but, in the right hands, they're works of art.

[kalolam1]

I look forward to watching your program each Sunday Morning. It's one of the few news programs that delivers GOOD NEWS. I only watch about 16 to 18 hours of TV a week, your show is included in these hours. I've been ill and was late tuning into your show this morning. I tuned in just in time to see LETS HEAR IT FOR MEAN MOMS, by Barbara Lippert. I've never seen a portion of your show that upset me before, like this did. What a tribute to Mothers across America--not! I'm the Mother of 5 and have helped raise some of my grandchildren. My children's friend referred to me as MRS. ROGERS, which I thought was a nice compliment. Ms. Lippert's portion of the show was SICK! I think she must be SICK also! How degrading to Mothers this program was. I've never written to any newscasters before, you win the prize--not!
Kalola

[hypnotoad72]

Forget that toddler show "The Sopranos"; look up the 1981 film "Mommie Dearest". Faye Dunaway gives a powerful performance; even if it is a bio-pic where some of the facts may or may not have been altered or tidied up.

And I'd rather watch June Cleaver. Hollywuss is replete with villainous characters; there needs to be a balance, or can't writers find a way to present good parental figures anymore and make somebody else the villains... The question above only makes me beg for the occasional 1950s decency.

Indeed, the best entertainment is fictional - separated FROM reality. Try to make it real (or worse, "reality") and society will follow. Keep it fiction, people will pawn it off as such. There is some cred to the claim the media is hurting our society as a whole. Unlike a certain FOX cable commentator, I will have the guts to say "Look at the top and see what they choose, knowing it's more profitable for them to do things that way instead."

Values transcend money.

[cmp271]

Mean Mothers!!! Joan Crawford takes the cake. Who will ever forget that film. The woman had severe problems, her adopted kids need to sue her estate for the problems she caused them.

My own Mother was a good person, as an adult I can see both sides of how she really was. I also know what she went through as a child and as a wife and how her life was in the end.

Let's not forget the other Mothers today, the "Mothers" of many kitties and doggies. My two "boys" birthday was today, bless their souls. They thought of me as their Mum, as does my new kitty. She is a good girl too. I am sure many of us consider ourselves Mothers.

[michellem99-2009]

I read the book MOMMY DEAREST and I know abuse like that does happen. The book was so painful yet true.
I was abused as a child due blindness and other handicaps that I was born with. I am 52. I grew up in foster homes. My Mum was a 17 year old child and walked out on us when I was 5. The foster parents are now dead but they took me and others for the money only.We were too scared to talk about the abuse. I love Leave It To Beaver.I watch it cos it is areally good put together show with lessons that are timeless.I never had children. I feel Leave It To Beaver is so needed today for the lessons it teaches.
Happy Mother's Day.

This article can be summed up in two words.

BAD TASTE.

[salliemars]

I think Barbara Lippert is great. She brought some much needed irreverance to an otherwise Hallmark-y day. I watch your show with my family every sunday. We love Sunday Morning because it delivers serious news without taking itself too seriously. This Mother's Day was no exception. "Let's Hear it For Mean Moms" was really funny and gave me something new to say when a friend complains "My my mom is stressing me out". Turn that feeling into the next Sopranos!

[Studio City]

Good heavens! This was obviously a light-hearted and affectionate look at the most A-typical mothers in American pop culture -- all of whom were either fictional or famous for over-the-top portrayals! In fact it was a nice change of pace from all the syrupy tributes to the "perfect" moms at the other end of the cultural spectrum. It reminded me how lucky I am that my mom was a real-life imperfect human being that was somewhere in between!

[Studio City]

Good heavens! This was obviously a light-hearted and affectionate look at the most A-typical mothers in American pop culture -- all of whom were either fictional or famous for over-the-top portrayals! In fact it was a nice change of pace from all the syrupy tributes to the "perfect" moms at the other end of the cultural spectrum. It reminded me how lucky I am that my mom was a real-life imperfect human being that was somewhere in between!