Throw Momma from the Train

1987
PG-13
1h 28m

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

42K

YOUR RATING

Billy Crystal and Danny DeVito in Throw Momma from the Train (1987)

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98 Photos

Buddy Comedy Dark Comedy Comedy Crime Thriller

A bitter writing teacher wants his successful ex-wife dead. A put-upon mama's boy writing student wants his overbearing mother dead. Will there be a criss-cross murder plot?A bitter writing teacher wants his successful ex-wife dead. A put-upon mama's boy writing student wants his overbearing mother dead. Will there be a criss-cross murder plot?A bitter writing teacher wants his successful ex-wife dead. A put-upon mama's boy writing student wants his overbearing mother dead. Will there be a criss-cross murder plot?

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.3/10

42K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 4 nominations total

Trivia
Anne Ramsey's speech impediment was caused by operations she underwent in order to treat throat cancer. During filming she was undergoing additional oral surgery and endured intense pain. However, according to director Danny DeVito, she never requested to be excused from work. "Momma" went on to become Ramsey's most critically-lauded performance, culminating with Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1988. Sadly, she died only six months after the ceremony because of that very same throat cancer.

Goofs
When Larry reads out the title of a student's "coffee table book", he says "One Hundred Girls I'd Like To Pork", but his lips are clearly mouthing the word "Fuck". This line was presumably overdubbed to avoid an R rating. Worse yet, "Pork" was changed to "Bonk" for broadcast on commercial TV.

Quotes
[Momma sees Larry for the first time]
Momma: Who's this?
Owen: This is Cousin Paddy. He's coming to stay with us a while. Isn't that nice?
Momma: [suspiciously] You don't *have* a "Cousin Paddy".
Owen: [to Larry] You lied to me!
[Owen knocks Larry out with a frying pan to the head]

Crazy credits
The credit for Assistant Sound Editor Robert Martel has a gap in the vertical stroke of the L.

Alternate versions
Network TV versions restore extra footage.

Connections
Edited into Throw Momma from the Train: Deleted Scenes (2001)

Soundtracks
Larry's Song
Written by Branford Marsalis

User reviews106

Review

Featured review

Mostly Fun

Throw Momma From The Train is a good black comedy from Danny DeVito... Billy Crystal is great as Larry, a frustrated writer who wishes his ex-wife were dead. Danny DeVito plays against type as Owen, a childlike psychotic who allows his monster of a mother to run his life. Wouldn't life be simpler is these two could murder the women that make them miserable?

The first two-thirds of the movie are funny, especially the scenes involving Larry's writing class. But somewhere along the way it becomes a frantic nightmare, with Larry fighting for his sanity while a "kooky" musical score blares incessantly on the soundtrack. And the inconsistencies of Owen's character are more than a little distracting.

In the end, though, "Throw Momma From The Train" is an entertaining, original movie with some very funny scenes. It is worth checking out if you can rent it or see it on cable.

GRADE: B-