Real Bad Moms: Movies Based on True Stories

Judith Light as Marie Hilley

Judith Light, first became well-known to TV viewers as Karen Wolek in the ABC soap opera, “One Life to Live,” going on to play many popular roles in prime-time TV series. in 1991, she played the role of Marie Hilley in the made-for-TV movie, Wife, Mother, Murderer. Marie poisoned her husband, Frank, and got a $31K life insurance policy for her efforts. When that money ran out, Marie went to work on her own daughter, Carol, but during the course of medical treatment, the real reason for Carol’s illness was uncovered. Frank was exhumed and the jig was up — or so they thought. Marie gets away and embarks on a weird journey through several states. Judith turns in a convincing performance as the deceptive, sociopathic black widow.

Mary Tyler Moore played Sante Kimes

Mary Tyler Moore appeared as grifter, murderer and child corrupter, Sante Kimes, in Like Mother, Like Son (2001). It was quite a departure from Mary’s regular fare, playing a woman who at her trial was called “the most remorseless degenerate ever ….” Mary becomes the evil and amoral Sante who makes her own son her partner in crime.

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12 Responses

  1. VJ says:

    well, “Mommie Dearest” was a true story, Cece… not that I doubt there have been/are women as abusive as Precious’ mom in real life. Still, that Joan Crawford story was reprehensible to me (I read the book, too). Actress Helen Hayes said “they” knew (stars in Joan’s circle) she was mistreating those kids but they were afraid of Joan. Still, she said, she didn’t “hold” with those tell-all stories. So in other words, Crawford’s legacy was more important. Shameful. I wonder what Hayes would think of the Cosby mess.

    PS – Faye Dunaway’s portrayal of Crawford was as amazing as Meredith Baxter’s as Betty Broderick!

    • Cece says:

      Yeah, I know Precious is fictional and Mommie Dearest isn’t; I was just speaking in terms of watching dysfunctional moms on the screen. Although Joan Crawford was a despicable excuse for a mother I was able to sit through Mommie Dearest when I rented it. Now Precious, although I know to be fictitious, I just cannot watch it.

      Yes, it is shameful that Crawford got away with a lot. And this Hayes person would probably think that Cosby’s legacy needs to be protected too.

      • VJ says:

        There’s actually supposed to be two more pages to this article but I guess the next page function in this theme isn’t working. LOL.

        I’m looking to try a new theme out on here next week. If I don’t like it, I guess I’ll tackle fixing that.

        • Cece says:

          Good plan. :):)

          On another note (still regarding movies), yesterday we watched “Séraphine” again — about the artist Séraphine de Senlis. We saw it at the Theatres years ago. It’s simply stunning. Have you ever seen it?

        • VJ says:

          no, but thanks for the tip — I just looked it up on IMDB and they have it on there.

          Right now I am watching this comedy Walk of Shame LINK

        • Cece says:

          On its comedic merits, how do you rate it?
          (I haven’t seen it.)

        • VJ says:

          I guess about a 7 since I watched it to the end. I’m kind of notorious for not watching movies till the end. LOL. It was amusing.

  2. Cece says:

    Precious’mom makes “mommie dearest” seems angelic by comparison. Just watching the above clip made my solar plexus cramp up. I don’t know how anyone could/can sit through the whole movie.