Serial Mom (1994)

Country of Origin: USA
Year of Production: 1994
Running Times: 95 mins
Format: Technicolor     35mm
Ratio: 1.66:1
Sound: Dolby

PRODUCTION
Production Company: Polar Entertainment Corporation
Executive Producer: Joseph Caracciolo Jr
Producers: John Fiedler, Mark Tarlov
Associate Producer: Pat Moran
Unit Production Manager: Margaret Hilliard
Production Coordinator: Alecia LaRue
Assistant Production Coordinator: Kerry Craven

SCRIPT
Script: John Waters

DIRECTION
Director: John Waters
2nd Unit Director: Steve M. Davison
1st Assistant Director: Mary Ellen Woods
2nd Unit 1st Assistant Director: Robert Rooy
Key 2nd Assistant Director: Lynn Wegenka
2nd 2nd Assistant Director: Elisa Sansalone

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Robert M. Stevens
Camera Operator: John Sosenko
Additional Camera Operators: David Insley, Robert W. Dorsey, Stuart Paul Stein
Steadicam Operators: Erich Roland, Kyle Rudolph
1st Assistant Camera: Boots Shelton
2nd Assistant Camera: Tom Lappin
Camera Loader: Susan Ingram
Gaffer: John F. Spraque
Generator Operator: Frank Caslin
Electricians: Ivan Allen, Rhett Bloomquist, Richard H. Kryder
Additional Electricians: Chris Walters, Chris Williamson, David Renken, Douglas Nelson, John Scanlon, Lee Shapira, Paul Thomas
Best Boy Electric: Michael Murray
Key Grip: Paul E. Sutton
Grips: Dave Wilkins, Joe Kurtz, Rodney French
Dolly Grip: Matthew Craven
Best Boy Grip: Josh Spring
Additional Grips: Clai 'Red Dog' Lashley, Brian Snell, Doug Wallick, Sean Finnegan, Steve Seitz
Stills: Phillip V. Caruso
Video Playback Operator: Alex Applefeld
24 Frame Video Operator: Suk Mei Ng
Colour Timer: Fred Hyde
Dailies Advisor: Joe Violante
Camera and Lenses: Panaflex by Panavision
Additional Grip and Electrical Equipment: Musco Mobile Lighting Ltd; TTF Lighting Consultants Inc; Washington Source for Lighting
Lab: Technicolor

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editors: Janice Hampton, Erica Huggins
1st Assistant Editor: Shawna Callahan
Assistant Editors: Joan Chapman, Stuart Sperling
Apprentice Editor: Jim Cricchi
Post-Production Supervisors: John Currin, Margaret Hilliard
Negative Cutters: Arnie Schuster, Bob Wolfrum, Tom San Martin

MUSIC
Music: Basil Poledouris
Songs: L7 and John Waters (Gas Chamber), Barry Manilow, Adrienne Anderson (Daybreak); Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin (Tomorrow)
Songs Performed By: L7 (Gas Chamber); Barry Manilow (Daybreak)
Music Supervisor: Bones Howe
Music Coordination: Windswept Pacific Entertainment Co
Music Score Recordist: Rick Riccio
Music Mixer: Rick Riccio
Supervising Music Editor: Tom Villano
Music Editing: Segue Music
Music Mobile Light: Jock Brandis

SOUND
Sound Mixer: Rick Angelella
Boom Operator: Dwayne Dell
3rd Sound / Boom Operators: Donna M. Barrett, Mary Kaigler-Schaffer
Supervising Re-Recording Mixer: Mark Berger
Sound Re-Recording Mixer: David Parker (uncredited)
Supervising Sound Editor: John Nutt
Sound Editors: Frank Eulner, E. Jeane Putnam, Ernie Fosselius, Robert Shoup
Assistant Sound Editors: David Franklin Bergad, Kyrsten Mate Comoglio, Mary Works
ADR Group: Rocky Randall's Reel Talent
Foley Recordist: Michael Semenick
Foley Artists: Jennifer Myers, Margie O'Malley
Post-Production Sound Facility: Saul Zaentz Film Center

MAKE UP AND COSTUMES
Make Up: Betty Beebe
2nd Make Up: Debi Young
Make Up For Kathleen Turner: Tom Case
Additional Make Up: Barbara Lacey, Janice Kinigopolous
Hair: Ardis Cohen
2nd Hair: Howard 'Hep' Preston
Hair For Kathleen Turner: Kathryn Blondell
Additional Hair: Barbara Lacey, Janice Kinigopolous
Costume Designer: Van Smith
Costume Designer Assistant: Rolande Berman
Wardrobe Supervisor: David Davenport
Set Costumer: Mara Majorowicz
Costumer to Kathleen Turner: Cindy Flowers
Additional Costumers: Deb Dalton, Frances Cook

SPECIAL EFFECTS
Special Effects Coordinator: Joe Digaetano
Special Effects Assistant: Bob Vazquez

VISUAL EFFECTS
Title Designer: Alan Rose

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Production Designer: Vincent Peranio
Art Director: David J. Bomba
Set Decorator: Susan Kessel
Set Dressers: Jamie Bloom, Lester Poser, Michael Sabo
On-Set Dresser: Lianne Williamson
Property: Mobtown Props
Property Master: Brook Yeaton
Assistant Property Master: R. Vince Smith
Construction Coordinator: Fred Livingston
Construction Foreman: Robert Barnaby
Carpenters: Dana R. Casey, James Kelley, Nelson K. Boatner, Patrick M. Egan, Salvatore J. Martines, Thomas Turnbull
Charge Painter: Francesca Gerlach
Painters: Anthony L. Brennan Jr, Bobby Deal, Claire Sharp, Don White, Rebecca Castle
Construction Department Production Assistant: Kevin Ray Schneider
Art Department Coordinator: Sarah Stollman
Draftsman: Rob Simons
Art Department Production Assistant: Jeffrey Pratt Gordon
Swing Gang: Jamie Bloom, Lester Poser
Greensman: Jim McWilliams

MISCELLANEOUS
Script Supervisor: Connie Papineau
Production Accountant: Cheri Hall
Assistant Production Accountant: Cynthia Lejeune
Post-Production Accountant: Adrienne Maxwell
Accounting Clerk: Meloney Hudson
Key Set Production Assistant: Kristen Ploucha
Set Production Assistants: Julie Hunsaker, Sally Sue Beisel
Office Production Assistant: Peter Tully Owen
Assistants To Producers: Jennifer Reese, Tia Lemke
Assistant to John Waters: Colleen Roome Shelton
Assistant to Kathleen Turner: Polly Brown
Assistant To Production Designer: John Lindsey McCormick
Production Secretary: Patricia Schweers
Transportation Coordinator: Foard J. Wilgis
Transportation Captain: Ron Smith
Transportation Co-Captain: Douglas A. Walk
Picture Car Coordinator: John Simonello
Driver / Operator: James Halstrom
Drivers: Bill Girard, Bob Phillips Bruce Zamzow, Charles E. Bauer, David Picarello, Francis 'Tony' Raymond, Frank R. Matkins, James Daniel Hubbard, James J. Mulvaney, Joe Zappacosta, John C. Watkins Sr, John E. Simms, Kenneth Ziegler Jr, Michael Luckeroth, Robert L. Willumsen, Salvatore A. Raimond, Salvatore R. Maffei, Steve Pollack, Walter Wright
Inset Car Driver: Michael J. Mulvaney
Production Van: Sands Production Service
Animal Trainers: Penny Allesio, Steve McAuliff
Animals Provided By: Animal Actors Inc
Caterers: Mitch Harris, Patrick N. Carey, Shannon Simms, Thomas G. Perrigo, Gala Catering Inc
Craft Service: Susan 'Mother' Gotschall
Medic: Joanne Reynolds
Projectionists: George Figgs, Scott A. Green
Publicist: Peter Haas
Insurance: Great Northern Brokerage Corporation

LOCATIONS
Locations: Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Towson, Maryland, USA
Location Manager: Debra Donaldsob
Assistant Location Manager: Jon Mallard

STUNTS
Stunt Coordinator: Steve M. Davison
Utility Stunts: Christian J. Fletcher, Frank Ferrara, G.A. Aguilar, Gregg Smrz, Michael Runyard
Stunt Double For Kathleen Turner: Cheryl M. Wheeler

CASTING
Casting: Paula Herold, Pat Moran
Casting Assistants: Adam Fusco, Lee Hunsaker
Casting Associate: John Strawbridge

CAST
Kathleen Turner (Beverly R. Sutphin)
Sam Waterston (Eugene Sutphin)
Ricki Lake (Misty Sutphin)
Matthew Lillard (Chip Sutphin)
Mary Jo Catlett (Rosemary Ackerman)
Justin Whalin (Scotty 'Scott' Barnhill)
Patricia Dunnock (Birdie)
Mink Stole (Dottie Hinkle)
Patricia Hearst (juror 8)
Suzanne Somers (herself)
Scott Wesley Morgan (Detective Pike)
Walt MacPherson (Detective Gracey)
Lonnie Horsey (Carl Pageant)
John Badila (Mr Paul Stubbins)
Kathy Fannon (Mrs Betty Sterner)
Doug Roberts (Mr Ralph Sterner)
Traci Lords (Carl's date)
Tim Caggiano (Marvin A. Pickles)
Jeff Mandon (Howell Hawkins)
Colgate Salsbury (Father Boyce)
Patsy Grady Abrams (Mrs Emmy Lou Jenson)
Richard Pilcher (Herbie Hebden)
Beau James (Timothy Nazlerod)
Stan Brandorff (Judge R.A. Moorehouse)
Kim Swann (Lu-Ann Hodges)
Bus Howard (Gus)
Alan J. Wendl (Sloppy)
Nancy Robinette (jury forewoman)
Peter Bucossi (rookie cop)
Loretto McNally (policewoman)
Wilfred E. Williams (press A)
Joshua L. Shoemaker (court TV reporter)
Rosemary Knower (court groupie A)
Susan Lowe (court groupie B)
John Calvin Doyle (Carl's brother)
Mary Vivian Pearce (book buyer)
Brigid Berlin (mean lady)
Jordan Brown (police officer)
Anthony 'Chip' Brienza (vendor)
Jeffrey Pratt Gordon (flea market boy)
Shelbi Clarke (flea market girl)
Nat Benchley (macho man)
Kyf Brewer (dealer)
Teresa R. Pete (baby's mother)
Zachery S. Pete (church baby)
Richard Pelzman (doorman)
Chad Bankerd (kid A)
Johnny Alonso (kid B)
Robert Roser (kid C)
Mike Offenheiser (Joe Flowers)
Lee Hunsaker (girl)
Michael S. Walter (burglar A)
Mojo Gentry (burglar B)
Gwendolyn Briley-Strand (Mrs Taplotter)
Jennifer Mendenhall (reporter)
Joan Rivers (herself)
Catherine Anne Hayes (TV serial hag)
Susan Duvall (lady C)
Valerie Yarborough (press)
Jordan Young (kid)
Jennifer Finch, Suzi Gardner, Demetra Plakas, Donita Sparks (Camel Lips)
John A. Schneider (husband A)
Lyrica Montague (court clerk)
Bess Armstrong (Eugene Sutphin's nurse - uncredited)
Greg Coale (Birdie's father - uncredited)
John Waters (Ted Bundy - uncredited)

Stand-Ins: Bud Pezet, Cindy Miller, Melissa A. McConnell

PLOT SUMMARY

A seemingly perfect middle class family harbours a dark secret - the mother is obsessed with protecting her family from even the slightest threat, even if that means resorting to serial murder. But the police are starting to close in on the "serial mom" and her perfect family is about to implode...

Australia
Theatrical Distributor: Roadshow Film Distributors
Video Distributor: Roadshow Entertainment

Germany
Video Distributor: BMG Video

Spain
Theatrical Distributor: Laurenfilm S.A.

UK
Theatrical Distributor: Guild Film Distribution Ltd

USA
Theatrical Distributor: Savoy Pictures
Video Distributor: HBO Home Video
Laserdisc Distributor: HBO Video (LD 90980-WS); HBO Video (LD 90980)

Argentina
Rating: 16

Australia
Rating: M

Finland
Rating: K-16

Norway
Rating: 15

Spain
Rating: 18

Sweden
Rating: 15

UK
Rating: 18

USA
Rating: R

1994
April
13: USA – theatrical release

May
19: Germany – theatrical release
25: France – theatrical release

August
31: USA - laserdisc release (HBO Video (LD 90980-WS); HBO Video (LD 90980))

November
18: Sweden – theatrical release

1995
January
6: Finland – theatrical release

June
2: Spain – theatrical release

She's a fabulous, loving, caring mother, who er... ...happens to be a serial killer!

Every Mom Wants to Be Wanted, But Not For Murder One!

At least she meant well

Los asesinatos de mama - Spanish title
Eema Sidratit - Hebrew Israeli title
Mamá, asesina serial - Argentinian title
Mamãe É de Morte - Brazilian title
Sarjamurhaajamutsi - Finnish title
Serial Mom - Warum läßt Mama das Morden nicht? - German title
Serial Mother - French title
La signora ammazzatutti - Italian title
Titkos gyilkos mama - Hungarian title

INCLUDES FOOTAGE FROM
Annie (1982)
Blood Feast (1963)
Strait-Jacket (1964)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

FOOTAGE INCLUDED IN
In Bad Taste (2000)

SEE ALSO
Basil Poledouris: His Life and Music (1997)
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Friday the 13th (1980)
Ghost Dad (1990)
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)
In Cold Blood (1967)
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986)
Zombi 2 (1979)

MAGAZINES

Box no.2 (June / July 1997) p.18 (UK)
review

epd Film vol.11 no.6 (1 June 1994) p.35 (Germany)
review (Warum lässt Mama das Morden nicht? by Heike-Melba Fendel

FilmMagasinet October / November 1994 p.12 (Norway)
review (Gard Jenssen)

Première June 1994 p.62 (France)
review (by Diasteme)

Premiere vol.7 no.12 (August 1994) pp.38-39 (USA)
illustrated article

Radio Times vol.299 no.3898 (24 October 1998) p.59 (UK)
illustrated article

Sight and Sound vol.4 no.6 (June 1994) pp.60, 61 (UK)
credits, synopsis, review

Sight and Sound vol.4 no.10 (October 1994) p.59 (UK)
note

Sight and Sound vol.5 no.6 (June 1995) p.63 (UK)
note

Studio Special Cannes 1994 p.43 (France)
review (by Michel Rebichon)

Studio June 1994 p.35 (France)
review (by Michel Rebichon)

Télérama no.2315 (25 May 1994) p.44 (France)
review (by Isabelle Danel)

NEWSPAPERS

A Capital, Guia TV 16 January 1998 (Portugal)
review (by Rui Brazuna)

churches, courtrooms, gore, housewives, masturbation, satire, serial killers, suburbia

Last Updated: 1 January, 2009