I Dismember Mama

Poor Albert and Little Annie

United States

1972

81 Min

Color

English

Currently 2.5/5 Stars.
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DP William Swenning, William W. Norton

CAST Zooey Hall, Geri Reischl, Joanne Moore Jordan, Greg Mullavey, Marlene Tracy

I Dismember Mama, also known as Crazed and Poor Albert and Little Annie, is a 1974 horror film by Paul Leder. Albert (Zooey Hall) has tried to kill his rich snobbish mother once, for which he was institutionalized. Now, he’s escaped, and Albert is after his mother once again, stopping only to form a friendship with Annie (Geri Reischl), the 11-year old daughter of his mother’s housekeeper. Albert sees her as a perfect, innocent female and is compelled to protect her at all costs — even if it means killing off her impure, older sisters.

Director

Paul Leder

Actor turned director Paul Leder made independent films during the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. As was and is true of many indie directors, Leder primarily dealt with exploitation films made on a shoestring budget with titles such as I Dismember Mama (1972), My Friends Need Killing (1978), and Murder By Numbers (1989). Leder launched his career singing through radio on The Molly Goldberg Show. During WWII, Leder was an army medic who served under General Patton and helped those who survived Buchenwald. After the war, Leder hit Broadway, singing and dancing opposite Phil Silvers in Top Banana. More shows followed. He made his feature film debut as an actor in The Grass Eater (1961), which he also produced. Leder made his first directorial effort in the dismal comedy The Marigold Man (1970). His last film was the black comedy The Wacky Adventures of Dr. Boris and Nurse Shirley (1995). In addition to his film work, Leder also wrote and directed plays in Los Angeles. Leder died of lung cancer… read more

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Max

7Apr12

This film was recommended to me at a Passover Seder, last night. Oh, how I love the people in my life. ♥

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Paul Johnson

10Nov10

No film could live up to that title, and aside from two repellent scenes near the beginning this movie doesn't even try. Generally plays less like grindhouse fare and more like a very special episode of MANNIX. Underwhelming, though surprisingly nuanced characterization keeps it watchable.