May 11- Mother’s Day Mayhem
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there-and, please, everyone, notice that I’m going to avoid any of the “mummy” jokes just this once.
From what I’ve read, Mother’s Day has its roots in the ancient Greek civilization, and made its way into the Romans’ list of holidays as well, with both attached to a goddess that each held in high esteem. Later on, it was an annual event in England, where it was first known as “Mothering Sunday”-not to be confused with one of those huge ice cream parlor concoctions, like a “Smothering Sundae.” When the British first arrived on our shores, they dropped the celebration- probably because they were too busy freezing to death, arguing about tossing tea in harbors, and making fun of George Washington’s false teeth. Eventually, though, it was celebrated here in America -around 1870.So, see- it wasn’t a “hallmark holiday” invented by a greeting card company!
I think we’ve gone over many of the monster mothers that populate our favorite genre- although the Frankenstein Monster’s mother, “the lightning”, probably got the least cards on that specials day. Norman Bates’ mother in “Psycho” may be the only one who gave herself (himself?) a card. “Mommie Dearest” Joan Crawford, who made plenty of scary movies, most certainly didn’t get a gift box of wire hangers for Mother’s Day. Piper Laurie, the abusive mother of “Carrie” received a lovely assortment of cutlery, but I think that happened around prom night, not Mother’s Day- check the movie. “Gorgo” the famed Godzilla–like giant reptile, might’ve been stranded in London, had it not been for his mother coming to fetch him.
(I guess that there weren’t as strict laws about kids traveling long distances by themselves back then…)
But, what of the missing mothers? In “the Wolf Man” we see only Larry Talbot’s dad, and though they talk about his late brother- do they ever mention his mother? Did the Creature from the Black Lagoon even know his mother (which might account for him getting hung up on every woman who floated into his tributary?)Both the Son of Dracula and Dracula’s daughter seemed to take after dad’s side of the family-but, again, we never heard much about their mom. Was she one of those three brides he had in his basement? And, nobody ever saw the Mummy’s…oops. Sorry. Almost broke my promise.
Just promise me that you will honor your mother today! And no rubber chickens, either-unless that’s what she really wants.
From what I’ve read, Mother’s Day has its roots in the ancient Greek civilization, and made its way into the Romans’ list of holidays as well, with both attached to a goddess that each held in high esteem. Later on, it was an annual event in England, where it was first known as “Mothering Sunday”-not to be confused with one of those huge ice cream parlor concoctions, like a “Smothering Sundae.” When the British first arrived on our shores, they dropped the celebration- probably because they were too busy freezing to death, arguing about tossing tea in harbors, and making fun of George Washington’s false teeth. Eventually, though, it was celebrated here in America -around 1870.So, see- it wasn’t a “hallmark holiday” invented by a greeting card company!
I think we’ve gone over many of the monster mothers that populate our favorite genre- although the Frankenstein Monster’s mother, “the lightning”, probably got the least cards on that specials day. Norman Bates’ mother in “Psycho” may be the only one who gave herself (himself?) a card. “Mommie Dearest” Joan Crawford, who made plenty of scary movies, most certainly didn’t get a gift box of wire hangers for Mother’s Day. Piper Laurie, the abusive mother of “Carrie” received a lovely assortment of cutlery, but I think that happened around prom night, not Mother’s Day- check the movie. “Gorgo” the famed Godzilla–like giant reptile, might’ve been stranded in London, had it not been for his mother coming to fetch him.
(I guess that there weren’t as strict laws about kids traveling long distances by themselves back then…)
But, what of the missing mothers? In “the Wolf Man” we see only Larry Talbot’s dad, and though they talk about his late brother- do they ever mention his mother? Did the Creature from the Black Lagoon even know his mother (which might account for him getting hung up on every woman who floated into his tributary?)Both the Son of Dracula and Dracula’s daughter seemed to take after dad’s side of the family-but, again, we never heard much about their mom. Was she one of those three brides he had in his basement? And, nobody ever saw the Mummy’s…oops. Sorry. Almost broke my promise.
Just promise me that you will honor your mother today! And no rubber chickens, either-unless that’s what she really wants.
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: May 11- Mother’s Day Mayhem.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.wciu.com/blogs/mt-tb.cgi/589
Leave a comment