IMDb > Throw Momma from the Train (1987)
Throw Momma from the Train
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Throw Momma from the Train (1987) More at IMDbPro »

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Throw Momma from the Train (1987) -- A bitter ex-husband. A put upon Momma's boy. Both want their respective spouse and mother dead, but who will pull it off?

Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   11,202 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 17% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Danny DeVito
Writer:
Stu Silver (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Throw Momma from the Train on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
11 December 1987 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Comedy more
Tagline:
Owen asked his friend, Larry, for a small favor...
Plot:
A bitter ex-husband. A put upon Momma's boy. Both want their respective spouse and mother dead, but who will pull it off? full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Guide to movie twists
 (From JoBlo. 21 October 2009, 2:39 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
A writer writes - well, he tries to, anyway more (58 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Danny DeVito ... Owen

Billy Crystal ... Larry

Kim Greist ... Beth
Anne Ramsey ... Momma

Kate Mulgrew ... Margaret
Branford Marsalis ... Lester

Rob Reiner ... Joel
Bruce Kirby ... Detective DeBenedetto
Joey DePinto ... Sargeant
Annie Ross ... Mrs. Hazeltine
Raye Birk ... Pinsky

Oprah Winfrey ... Herself
Olivia Brown ... Ms. Gladstone
Philip Perlman ... Mr. Perlman
Stu Silver ... Ramon
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
88 min | Germany:87 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby SR
Company:
Orion more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The title comes from the Patti Page song "Throw Mama From the Train, a kiss, a kiss, Wave Mama from the train a goodbye..." more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Owen sneaks into Margaret's house, he's barefoot. Then when her gardener shows up, he has to hide behind the couch, it clearly shows he has shoes on. more
Quotes:
Owen: Larry! I can't breath!
Larry: Yes! That's because I'm choking you!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Action: One Easy Piece (#1.11)" (????) more
Soundtrack:
PUHI PUHI O'SOLE PIPI more

FAQ

List: Murder swaps
more
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
A writer writes - well, he tries to, anyway, 25 March 2006
7/10
Author: blanche-2 from United States

Billy Crystal is Larry, a writer who hasn't written and is suspected of murder in "Throw Momma from the Train," costarring Danny Devito and Anne Ramsey. The phrase "black comedy" was invented for this insanity, which is a take-off on Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train." In fact, Owen (Devito) gets the idea of having Larry kill his mother in exchange for Owen killing Larry's ex from watching that famous film. "I saw the movie. Criss-cross," Owen tells Larry. Not that Larry knows what he's talking about until it appears it's too late - just like "Strangers." Larry, a writing teacher, claims that his ex-wife, played by Kate Mulgrew, stole his book and put her name on it. She has become a big celebrity, appearing on "Oprah," where she refers to Larry as "a beast." Owen is in Larry's class. He lives with an abusive Neanderthal mother (Ramsey) and has visions of poisoning her, sticking a scissors in her head - you name it. It's not long after seeing "Strangers on a Train" that he's in Honolulu, stalking Larry's wife. While she's leaning over a boat railing trying to get an earring, Owen stands behind her and creeps up...Soon the police are looking for Larry to question him, but he's at Owen's where he's being encouraged to live up to his end of a bargain he had no idea he made. You know, "criss-cross." There are several scenes copied from "Strangers," which are hilarious. I especially loved Larry's confession to the sleeping Mrs. Lift, Owen's mother, similar to when Guy thinks he's talking to Bruno's stepfather.

Crystal and DeVito are complete masters of comic dialogue and timing and will leave you laughing, often out loud. Ramsey is repulsively funny - a totally "out there" performance. Kim Griest and Rob Reiner also have roles - Griest is Crystal's girlfriend, and Reiner has what amounts to a cameo.

The ending is very clever, and the whole film will leave you laughing.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Throw Momma from the Train (1987)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Alternative Ending?? lizswann12
he doesn't really say pork does he? kuribogoomba
Long live codykilgore
Hitchcock tributes rkillgore
I Actually Felt Bad For Devito's Character littledevil345
Anne Ramsey Was the Best Part of this Film. Joshf84
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